Do you have a problem with authority? Do you sometimes feel like “sticking it to the man”? Do you feel like your whole life is a struggle against people in authority who are oppressing you? This is how the struggling colonies felt when they penned these words to the Declaration of Independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”. After winning the war against the British, however, they didn’t propose a government based on equality (i.e. anarchy). Instead, they set up a system of authority to administrate, legislate, and provide order to this fledgling nation. Did they abandon their commitment to equality? How can we have authority in our lives while maintaining the self-evident truth that “all men are created equal”?

This question rings true not only in government systems, but also in our places of employment, our social status, our finances, our homes, and in our understanding of God Himself. Having a balanced understanding of how both equality and authority work are critical to our harmony in life. For example, husbands are to be in authority in their marriage and in their home. Wives are to submit to their husbands. The Bible is clear on the roles given to each gender, yet it also affirms that both genders are equally loved and equipped for God’s service. Equality is not depreciated even though we may have different duties and responsibilities.

The same is true for our employers (1 Peter 2:18). It is true of those who are older and wiser than us (1 Peter 5:5). It is true of our government officials (Titus 3:1) as well as any other authority that God has placed in our lives (Romans 13:1). Are those running the government smarter, better, more valuable, or in a higher class (in God’s eyes) than you are? No. Is your boss more capable, a better decision-maker, or a harder worker than you? Probably not. While you are equal with them before God, you are in subjection to them in these situations. We are to choose to submit to these as our authorities on biblical grounds – not because they are better than us – but because God chose to put them over us according to His purpose and plan. This same principle is found in the God-head as well.

The Bible confirms for us that Jesus Christ is fully God. He was there as an agent of creation in the beginning (John 1:1). He shares in the glory of God (John 1:14). He demonstrated the power of God in His earthly ministry and resurrection. He is equal with God the Father in every way (Philippians 2:6). Yet, time and time again, Jesus tells us that He willingly placed Himself in submission to the authority of God the Father. He put on human flesh as a servant (Philippians 2:7). He submitted His human will to the greater will of God the Father (Luke 22:42). He did all of the dirty work of walking with sinners, becoming hungry and weary, and literally washing the dirty feet of those who should have been worshipping Him. In all of these acts of obedience, sacrifice and subservience, Jesus never maintained that He was anything less than a true equal with God Himself.

All of the world is in subjection to Jesus Christ because we are in no way equal with Him. We will all one day bow before Him in worship and praise. He is truly greater than each of us – yet in His love for us He has called us His children and “if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17). We don’t deserve an equal station with Christ, yet through His willingness to submit to the Father’s will, He has made all that believe on him “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Yes, we are all equal at the foot of the cross. We are all created equal – every gender and every race on this planet. We are all equally loved by Christ and He shed His blood for each one of us. But we are also given authorities in life for a reason (perhaps only reasons that God Himself knows). If Christ can submit to the will of God the Father for our sake, then we can certainly submit to the authorities in our life as God has commanded. Equality does not mean anarchy. It is possible to retain your equality while respecting your authority!