Lawson, Nunez, and Parsons: Evangelism and Discipleship (Seminar)

Our call to submit to God-given authority figures is subject to [at least] three limitations.

Limit 1: When an Authority Requires Sin

We do not have to submit when an authority figure requests that we commit an act of sin. This is the easiest limit to discern.

Limit 2: When an Authority Drives outside Its God-Assigned Lanes

There is a bit of controversy surrounding the second reason. Even so, I would argue that we do not need to submit when an authority figure asks us to perform an act God has not authorized that particular authority figure to perform. In other words, driving outside the lane, or crossing into an area that is not within one's jurisdiction.

The church should not wield the sword. The government should not determine who is baptized. Pastors should not be instructed by politicians what doctrines to hold. The parents should not prohibit their children from seeking medical treatment that is morally legitimate and necessary. Additionally, schools should not undermine a parent's authority when it comes to teaching their children. The word "generally" is crucial in each of these sentences, because there are almost always exceptions to the rule.

Limit 3: When Protecting Oneself from Wrongful Harm

A third reason for disobeying is related to the second: we are not obliged to submit to an authority who is acting to harm us in an unjust manner. In other words, a person is not morally obligated to submit to an act of discipline that crosses the line into sinfully excessive or unduly harsh behavior.

Despite the misconception that we should not submit to authority, we must. It is important for us to submit to them and pray for them in order to enjoy a good life. What if they are not good? Jesus said the following:

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:44-45 NASB1995

Can you identify the verses from the video?

Source

On Mother's Day 2020, nearly six months after the loss of my mother, God called me. In the years that have followed, I have not looked back. Without Him, my life would not be the same. My gratitude and indebtedness to Him will never cease to be.

RC Sproul: The Covenant

https://youtu.be/uKNIPNbnHgw?si=t_UcrjFU8gIPRiVL

*“The Lord said to me, ‘They have spoken well. I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ You may say in your heart, ‘How will we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”

Deuteronomy 18:17-22 NASB1995*