by Tate Stevens, Director of Youth Ministry
Like Pastor Joe said on Sunday, we all need reminders.
This past Sunday he preached from Titus 3:1-2, where Paul tells believers “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.” Because Jesus is King, Christians don’t have to panic, grasp for control, or rebel out of fear. We can faithfully honor earthly authorities because we know who ultimately sits on the throne.
As Pastor Joe gave examples of what that looks like in everyday life, I couldn’t help but smile because many of his examples landed squarely in the stage of life I’m in. HOAs, pulling permits for home projects, taxes, insurance, and all the other exciting parts of adulthood.
Then I thought about our middle and high school students. You may have listened with a sigh of relief and thought, “Phew. None of that really applies to me.”
Maybe not yet. But Titus 3 still does.
In fact, every day you have opportunities to live out Titus 3 in ways you may not even realize. For students, some of the authorities God has placed in your life include parents, teachers, coaches, school administrators, police officers, and government leaders. Submitting to authority isn’t always easy, especially when you disagree with a rule or don’t understand the reason behind it.
When those moments come, you’ll often hear two very different ways of thinking. The world asks,
“Can I get away with it?”
God’s Word teaches us to ask a better question:
“How can I honor King Jesus here?”
Before you continue, remember the good news at the heart of Titus 3. God saved us because of His mercy, not because we earned it. And through that mercy, He is transforming us into people who are eager to do good.
HERE ARE SEVEN WAYS STUDENTS CAN HONOR AUTHORITY RIGHT NOW.
- Honor authority by refusing what God and the law forbid. You can’t legally buy or possess alcohol, tobacco, or vape products if you’re under 21.1 When parents, schools, and government authorities place limits on these things, Christians shouldn’t look for loopholes or ask, “How close can I get to the line?” Instead, we seek to honor those authorities out of reverence for Christ.
The Bible repeatedly calls believers to self-control and wisdom (Titus 2:11-12; Proverbs 1:7). Sometimes following Jesus means saying “no” when everyone around you is saying “yes.”
- Use your freedom responsibly. New drivers can’t fill their car with friends.2 Ohio places restrictions on new drivers for a reason. Authority is often one of God’s tools for protecting us while we grow in wisdom and responsibility. Getting your license is exciting. But Christian maturity isn’t measured by how much freedom you have. It’s measured by how faithfully you use it. Jesus taught that those who are faithful in little things can be trusted with greater things (Luke 16:10).
- Practice integrity online. Don’t steal online. Downloading or sharing movies, music, games, or software without permission may seem harmless because no one sees it happening; however, it is still a crime.3 But following Jesus means living with integrity whether we’re in a store, a classroom, or sitting alone behind a screen.
Scripture says, “Let the thief no longer steal” (Ephesians 4:28). Christians don’t obey only when someone is watching. We pursue honesty because we belong to Christ.
- Respect authority even when it’s inconvenient. New drivers have nighttime restrictions.4 Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t enjoy being told when to be home. But submission isn’t really tested when we agree with the rules. It’s tested when we don’t.
Whether it’s a driving restriction, a curfew established by your parents, or a school policy you wouldn’t have chosen yourself, Christians have an opportunity to demonstrate humility and respect. Sometimes faithfulness looks as simple as being where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there.
- Love your neighbor by driving responsibly. When driving, the law tells you to put your phone down.5 God commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Distracted driving isn’t just breaking a rule. It puts real people at risk. Every person on the road bears God’s image and matters to Him. When we follow laws that promote safety, we’re doing more than avoiding a ticket. We’re demonstrating care for the people God has placed around us.
- Remember that your digital life belongs to Jesus too. Online actions have real consequences. Many students don’t realize that creating, requesting, sending, saving, forwarding, or possessing sexually explicit images of someone under 18 is illegal and can carry serious legal consequences.6
But for Christians, this is about more than avoiding legal trouble. God calls His people to pursue purity and to honor others as people made in His image. Scripture tells us that God’s will is our sanctification and that we should flee sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Ephesians 5:3 says that sexual immorality should not even have a place among God’s people.
The same principle applies to how we treat others online. Cyberbullying, harassment, threats, gossip, humiliating others, or sharing private information can cause real harm. Jesus said that His followers would be known by their love for one another (John 13:34-35). Your phone is not outside the lordship of Jesus.
- Recognize that God often uses authority to help you grow. Going to school isn’t optional.7 Ohio law requires school-aged children to receive an education. Whether you’re in public school, private school, or home education, learning is part of God’s provision for your life. School isn’t always enjoyable. Some classes are hard. Some assignments feel pointless. Some situations are frustrating. Yet God often uses parents, teachers, coaches, and administrators to develop perseverance, humility, diligence, and wisdom in us.
LEARNING TO RESPECT AUTHORITY NOW HELPS PREPARE YOU FOR THE
RESPONSIBILITIES GOD MAY ENTRUST TO YOU LATER.
When I was in high school, the first day of summer break always came with a tradition at my house. My parents would sit me down and go over the “summer rules.”
“Be home by curfew.” “Let us know where you’re going.” “Stay out of trouble.”
It felt like all the freedom and adventure of summer disappeared before it even started. Maybe reading a list like this feels the same way to you.
But over the years, I’ve realized my parents weren’t trying to take away my freedom. They were trying to protect it. The rules weren’t the point. They were meant to help me thrive. The same is true when it comes to following Jesus. His commands aren’t meant to keep us from life. They’re meant to lead us into it.
When Paul tells us to “be submissive to rulers and authorities,” he isn’t calling Christians to weakness or passivity. He’s calling us to live under a greater authority. Romans 13 reminds us that there is no authority except from God, and that earthly authorities exist under His sovereign rule. That doesn’t mean every authority is perfect. It means Christians begin with a posture of humility and respect rather than rebellion.
Through His mercy, God is transforming us into people whose lives proclaim that Jesus is Lord, even in ordinary moments of obedience.
That’s why Christians don’t ask, “How much can I get away with?” We ask, “What response best reflects the King I belong to?”
Of course, our obedience to earthly authority is never absolute. If an authority ever commands what God forbids or forbids what God commands, our allegiance belongs to King Jesus. As the apostles said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
But most of the decisions you’ll face as a student aren’t about choosing between God and government.
They’re about choosing between humility and pride. Submission and rebellion. Faithfulness and compromise.
As you grow, you’ll face decisions that aren’t always simple. When you do, don’t try to figure it out alone. One of the greatest signs of maturity is having the humility to ask for wisdom.
Your parents, your LifeGroup leaders, and the pastors and staff at CVC are here to walk alongside you. We care about you, we’re praying for you, and we’d love to help you navigate those decisions.
My prayer is that you’ll become someone who chooses to honor King Jesus, even when no one else is watching. Because every act of faithful submission to God-ordained authority is another opportunity to show the world who your true King is.
___________________
2 Temporary Permit / Probationary Driver Licensing – Under Age 18
3 Copyright Law of the United States | U.S. Copyright Office
4 Temporary Permit / Probationary Driver Licensing – Under Age 18
5 Use of devices by persons under 18 years of age.
6 Ohio Revised Code §2907.322 (Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor) and Ohio Revised Code §3313.666 (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying in Schools).
