1950 This Means Everlasting Life - A2Z.org

SUBJECTION TO THE AUTHORITIES 199
monishing you, and to give them more than extraordinary
consideration in love because of their
work". -I Thessalonians 5 :12,13, NW.
12
We are to have a proper fear toward the
Superior Authorities in the sense of not wanting
to displease them. If we do good by carrying out
the divine will we have no need to be afraid, because
the Superior Authorities are against only
the evildoers. Authority from God and through
Christ is exercised for the good of Christians who
pursue righteousness : "it is God's minister to you
for your good." It praises those who do God's
will . It does not persecute, ban, imprison and kill
them . But if we do wrong by acting against the
divine will, then we have reason to fear punishment,
for the Superior Authorities have the power
to execute judgment upon wrongdoers. This
power of execution is symbolized by the "sword" .
The King of kings and Lord of lords is pictured
with it : "And out of his mouth there protrudes
a sharp long sword, that he may smite the nations
with it, and he will shepherd them with a
rod of iron ." Revelation 19 :15,16, NW In that
sense divine authority, being rightly exercised,
"is God's minister, an avenger to express wrath
upon the one practicing evil ."-Romans 13 :3,4,
NW.
13 People of this world often conform outwardly
12 . a In what way is the authority God's minister to
us for our good? b What is the sword it bears? For
use against whom?
13 . a Besides wanting to escape wrath, on account
of what else should we be in subjection to Authority?
b So what do we pay?