PARENTHOOD
a divine stewardship

All Authorities are Ordained by God (2)

This issue of Parenthood, based on a message given by Watchman Nee, continues with our consideration of the need that we as Christians recognize and submit to all authority. The Bible shows us that all authority comes from God (Romans 13:1). Therefore, we are told, "So then he who resists the authority opposes God's ordination, and those who oppose will receive judgment to themselves" (v. 2). Rebellion against any established human institution is a serious violation of God's divine authority. We need to know and recognize the operation of God's authority in all human institutions; and we also need to train our children to know and observe this principle.

Peter urged us to "be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake"..., whether it is governors or kings, masters or husbands (1 Peter 2:13-3:7). He made a special point of noting that such obedience is not only to the good people but to the evil. Watchman Nee recognized that it is not easy for us to agree with obedience to all human authority, especially when that authority is carried out by unrighteous men in evil ways. He wrote:

Some may have a problem here. When Paul and Peter wrote their Epistles, the Roman Empire was at the height of its power, and slavery was extremely prevalent. Male and female slaves were sold in open markets. It was a cruel business. 

Some may ask, "Should we allow such an inhumane institution to remain?" Of course, the church does not support slavery, but Paul exhorted slaves to obey their masters on the one hand, and he charged masters to deal well with their slaves on the other hand. Onesimus was a runaway slave, but Paul told Philemon to treat him well. He had no intention of overturning the institution of slavery. It was not a matter of the merit or evil of the system but a matter of God's authority. Whether or not the institution of slavery is justified is a different issue altogether. God's ordination is for slaves to submit to authority. It is better for us to live with a wrong system and uphold God's authority than to destroy a system and thus destroy God's authority in the process. On the one hand, we realize the injustice that existed in the society of the time. On the other hand, we realize that with an institution as wrong and inhumane as slavery, God did not give up His authority.

MAINTAINING THE DIVINE SYSTEM OF AUTHORITY

Since the beginning of the world, God has been ruling and upholding the entire universe with His authority. Both man's fall and the fall of the universe had their source in rebellion. Rebellion has thrown off authority. If we do not deal with this basic issue, we will be useless no matter where we go. We will be unable to work in any place. 

We cannot preach the gospel of Christ and perform God's work or service while taking Satan's way and maintaining his principle. Once we touch and apprehend God's authority, we will know that God created and maintains the universe by His authority. He has placed His system of authority in everything. We have to uphold the system God has ordained. We have to learn to submit to men and not to touch authority in a light way. In all these relationships we have to learn to know authority and practice obedience. We have to know that there are lords and masters in everything; we cannot assume to be the master as soon as we touch something. We have to learn obedience through many situations. One finds authority in the hospital. As soon as he works in a hospital, he has to obey the authority in the hospital. There is even authority in a restaurant. Some serve as managers, and we have to learn to obey them. If we touch authority in a genuine way, we will find authority wherever we go. In obeying the authority of earthly institutions, we are actually obeying God because all authorities are from God. We have to see that every authority is from God. Only a rebellious and proud man is blind to authority; only he will not submit to God's deputy authority....

The Lord Jesus testified solemnly to Pilate, saying, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). God's kingdom is heavenly and spiritual; it is not of this world. Therefore, none of the nations that exist today are God's kingdom. However, they still derive their authority from God. No matter what system of government a nation takes, its authority comes from God....

(continued on page 2)