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NASB | Romans 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God. [Prov 8:15] |
Bible Question:
With regard to Hussein, should it be shown that he is engaged in violence toward the U.S., then the President has every GOD GIVEN right to execute the "power of the sword" to defend the peoples whom God has placed him as a minister to thier good! With regard to structures of authority, and in the reference you made to the military - regardless of the structure, all authority derives it power from one source - God. To obey an order from my Sergeant which he is relaying from my company commander(capt. or major) is to obey my company commander directly, and, by the source of power behind all authority - God. The Sergeant does not posess the power of that order except as that which implied - the power to deliver it in his(commander's) name and expect me to follow it. To obey any LEGITIMATE authority IS to obey God. There is only one true rule - the Law of God. If Hussein is engaged in terrorism, hostilities for unrighteous reasons - he loses the protection of the law - he sets himself outside the law - he is an "outlaw." Masters of our affections is what the passage refers to - In the words of one song, "Who do ya love?" Do I love Christ more and demonstrate it with my obedience or do I love my willfulness more? As far as "order precedence goes" in the Marine Corps - it is the last lawful order given. If the order appears to be a conflicting order, you are granted the opportunity for confirmation and clarification. That is the way a good working authority structure should function. Matt. |
Bible Answer: Sort of both. Thanks for the info on the Marine Corps. If only all Marines (and other servicemen) would submit to the Law of God. You said that in the Marines, you were responsible to follow the last lawful order given. Why is that? Those who set up the authority structure in the Marines know that you cannot follow two mutually exclusive orders. You cannot serve two masters. It sounds like what you are saying is that really, you were not under many earthly masters (as you said before) but one - the law. Now, it is still the same, you, like your representative, senator, etc., are all under the law of the land. I'm still not sure I'm with you on "masters of our affections". Although Luke 16:13 does mention love, it speaks of service - "you cannot serve two masters". I see this as a general principle. You can't stand at attention and run laps at the same time. When the Marine Corps told you to go overseas, you obeyed the other authorities because the Marine Corps told you to. Had the last lawful order given by a CO been to "attack" you would have done so. Am I right? |