Are you familiar with the enneagram at all? My husband and I always joke about Paul being the ultimate 1. Especially as Saul, hunting down and executing the rule breakers. Anyway! He’s a stickler for being above reproach, lover-all-all-rules and I couldn’t agree with him more here.

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“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” 13:1

Have a boss you don’t like? A president you didn’t vote for? When you choose to show them respect they don’t deserve, you are ultimately showing respect to God, who greatly deserves it all. No where in this chapter does Paul claim that people in authority are going to be without fault. Remember, he was in a pretty volatile political circumstance, yet still insisting on godliness and submission to his leaders.

Think about someone in your life who has authority over you. How do you feel about it? Do you trust God’s sovereignty in this circumstance?

Or, are you in a position of authority? Are you representing Christ and leading in a way that reflects King Jesus? 

-Carly