What a joy it is to be able to read the scriptures without the pollution of our own reaction-ism!
There is such a blessing in seeking to be subject to all authority and higher power. What a blessing it must have been to read passages like Romans 13:1 without having our own grievous experience in the background casting a shadow over the simple truth flowing from the apostle's heart.
It is sad that it has become difficult to read the verses calling for believers to be subject without the need to clarify the danger of submitting to men.
I just want to rejoice in God through Christ for inspiring my heart towards honoring all who are in authority, secular and spiritual. Yes, I have witnessed abuse, but it has not caused me to recoil from the simple joy of seeking to submit to every authority as unto God and to receive men in positions of authority as servants fulfilling God's own order.
When I read the New Testament I do not see the writers "qualifying" their exhortations regarding being subject to authority with the kind of cautions I often hear in our day. I can not help but wonder if they must have trusted that the Holy Spirit would be there to help their readers know the difference between blind submission and godly reverence.
There are passages where abuses of authority were dilineated and strongly condemned, but the sweet fragrance of pure encouragement towards free, voluntary, and honorable subjection to those in authority was clearly the preference of all the authors.
It is my hope that the bitterness of our own personal experiences does not corrupt the sweet testimony of forbearance and gentleness for which we should be known by all.
Mak