Authority and Service

Many see any claim to authority as a claim to power, and in that, the ability to oppress and use others. Such claims are not typically wrong. We see throughout Scripture and history that men (and women!) use their authority for evil purposes, and seek to control others for their own selfish good. But, through Christ, who is of the highest authority, we have the prime counter-example! He who had all authority came to give his life as a ransom. Paul, in our passage this morning, displays the same understanding of authority, as he serves the Romans through his apostleship.