Submit To Authority

What at all is this submit to authority thing we hear about? When you do not, you are told you don’t respect and all…sigh.
Submission means “the condition of being submissive, humble, or compliant” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Leviticus 19:32 says “You are to rise in the presence of the elderly and honour the old. Fear your God; I am Yahweh.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Paul in Romans 13 :1-5 talks about it in the context of government and authorities. I think that it is also relevant and applicable in what I am about to talk about.
We are oftentimes told to respect the elderly, even if they seem so annoying and are stepping on our toes. We are told to respect that unbelieving husband or brother or sister or boss or teacher. We are told to obey their instructions despite how they relate to us.
Let me make something clear here. Do not take their authority for granted. They have been put there for a reason and that, you will know when God’s plan for you has been fulfilled.
Sometimes we do not see what God is doing and fail to ask Him how to navigate the situation but rather complain and disrespect whoever it is in that place of authority.

So, this is it; whoever is in a place of authority, be it an elderly brother, sister, boss at work, or anyone younger than you are, or someone under whose care you’ve been put must be accorded the maximum respect, and genuine respect. I know you might disagree with me. However, I believe that person occupies a place of authority and has been allowed by God to occupy it so that God’s plan, however He has drawn it, will be fulfilled.
Pay attention carefully: whoever is in a place of authority occupies an office. So, you must give that office the maximum respect, even if the person does not seem to be good enough for the office. Remember how King Saul in the Bible wanted to kill David when he got to know David has been anointed King over Israel? Did you see how God guarded David, so that he did not die? You will find this in 1 Samuel 18:10-19:42.

Aside that, do you realize that God rejected Saul as King? Sometimes, He puts certain people we think are unfit for the office, while He prepares who must rightfully occupy that office in the time to come.
You must change because God expects every one of us to obey and respect that one person who is in the place of authority.

You cannot just enter the office of the president of a nation without booking an appointment. On the day of appointment, you must comply with every code of conduct in the office of the president. The point is you must come under authority given the circumstances.

To conclude, we must just honour and obey the person who has been put in a place of leadership.
Also, you must not think that the person deserves your respect before you give it. We are all undeserving of God’s grace, yet He came through for us, (Check out Romans 5:8).

Even though you may think the person does not deserve that respect, give it because it is the right thing to do and it pleases God. It also implies that you do not also falter because someone is at fault, especially when you know the right thing to do.

Always remember, you must respect and honour every position of leadership because it is right. I’ll leave you with 1 Timothy 2:1-4 which says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” God bless you.