Category Archives: Resistance

Security officer holding a woman's arm as she resists in a crowded urban area
Bible, Scripture, Submission, Condemnation, Romans, Resistance, Opposition

OPPOSITION LEADS TO CONDEMNATION

ROMANS 13:2

“Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”

I have had a lot of bosses in my lifetime. Some were great and others, well, not so great. When I was young, I didn’t understand the principle of submission. I just knew to do what the boss told me. My dad taught me that. He also taught me to respect anyone in authority over me. That included teachers, coaches or bosses. I sure do miss his advice and guidance.

Paul continues his teaching on submission to authority in today’s verse and this time makes it abundantly clear that resistance to authority is really opposition to God. The Greek word translated as “resists” is a strong word, stronger than “resists” implies. It’s antitássomai which means to be “squared of (opposite to); opposed to in principle and in practice.” (HELPS Word-studies). It’s in the Middle Voice which means this person is making a personal decision to resist. And the word “opposed” is anthístēmi which means to stand against someone or something.

APPLICATION

Opposition to God is not a smart thing, is it? Oh, but you don’t know my boss, Carl. They’re horrible! Let me ask you a question. Did you agree to work where you working? Then you have agreed to obey your authority. For some reason, God has placed them over you, if for nothing else to drive you to your knees to pray for them.

Paul gives another example of ungodly opposition in 2 Timothy 3:8. “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, worthless in regard to the faith.” Who were these men? They are said to be two of the magicians who opposed Moses in Egypt. Their opposition to Moses was really opposition to God since Moses was speaking for Him. We know how it ended for them, don’t we?

As you consider your response to today’s verse, ask yourself is there something you can do to better serve those in authority over you. I have always tried to work just as hard in the presence of my boss as when he/she was away. When we honor those God has place over us in this world, we are really honoring our Lord. When it’s difficult God understands and will give you the endurance to get through. Just be Jesus.

Lord, it’s hard sometimes to submit to our authorities when we disagree. Help me to focus on my submission to You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, God's Will, Resistance, Romans, Scripture, Yielding

FUTILE RESISTANCE

ROMANS 9:19

“You will say to me then, ‘Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?’”

Throughout the centuries, people have tried to thwart God’s will, but none have been successful. God’s will is well…God’s will. In Daniel 4:35 we read, “‘All the inhabitants of the earth are of no account, But He does according to His will among the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can fend off His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?”’” Nothing has changed. God’s will triumphs always.

Paul uses a Greek word for “resisted” that “is commonly used to denote the resistance offered by soldiers or armed men.” (Albert Barnes). We see this same word in Ephesians 6:13 where we are told, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” That kind of resisting is a good thing. We should resist evil, but not God. That will get us nowhere.

APPLICATION

Paul is presupposing some arguments against his statements about God’s sovereign will. “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” Those questions are still being asked today. May I suggest a rather simplistic answer? God’s ultimate, perfect will is based on the fact that He knows how all mankind will react. He doesn’t force our actions, but He knows them even before we do. Man’s free will has been evidenced since the Garden of Eden.

Now, I know you may not agree with my simple answer. That’s okay. You can be wrong. Just kidding. Seriously, just kidding. We can only base our beliefs on what His Word tells us over and over and over. I love the Expositor’s Greek Testament comment on this passage. “To this objection there is really no answer, and it ought to be frankly admitted that the Apostle does not answer it. The attempt to understand the relation between the human will and the Divine seems to lead of necessity to an antinomy which thought has not as yet succeeded in transcending.”

Don’t try to figure this out. There are some things you must believe on faith. I believe this in one of them. Knowing God’s will is simple. All through Scripture we see where He tells us straight out what it is. (Check out John 6:39-40; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Peter 2:15.) It’s not complicated, but you must yield to it. Do not resist Him. You will not win. But He wants you to win by trusting Him. You can take that to the bank!

Lord, I do not have to understand all the aspects of Your will for my life. I simply have to trust it each day. Thank You, Father.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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