Posted on 01/29/2021 6:44:09 AM PST by SeekAndFind
What is a Christian's responsibility to submit to governmental authority when laws and regulations are in conflict with a Christian's belief?
As a pastor, I am regularly confronted with this question, from parishioners and even in my own life as a citizen of the United States.
I was asked the question yet again on our most recent Inauguration Day, when President Joseph Biden was sworn into office. The question was couched in relation to the compliance called for in Romans 13:1–5:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Drawing one's entire theology concerning our relationship with authority from five verses fails to consider the whole tenor of Scripture. Romans 13:1–5, for instance, cannot be isolated from Ephesians 6:11–12, or Revelation 13:4–5, not to mention several other passages. To do so would be to render irrelevant all those saints over the millennia who resisted evil at the hands of tyrants and unjust laws.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
When Paul says that “Jesus is Lord,” he refers to his loyalty to Jesus above Caesar (”the state”), who, by Roman law, required citizens to call Caesar “Lord.” Paul was obviously governed by an “authority” greater than the nations and rulers of his day.
Nations and rulers are given limited authority by God. As long as these authorities continue to enact laws that defend and protect human dignity without diminishing the authority of God, the Christian is obligated and compelled to comply, “as if unto God.”
But if a nation or ruler demands absolute obedience to laws that are contrary to God’s authority, then a Christian has a responsibility to lovingly stand against these untruths.
Etc.
Brother Andrew, the legendary cold war bible smuggler wrote a book of his exploits called “God’s Smuggler”. One very interesting passage in the book was when he felt it was OK to pray for the death of a depraved evil leader.
... And the biggest act of defiance against unjust authorities - THE 1776 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE by the Colonies in America.
Anyone who submits to evil, colludes with evil.
“...for there is no authority except that which God has established.”
And, according to the Constitution, “We the people” are the authority, the “powers that be” established by God. Americans don’t have rulers, we have elected representatives who are our employees, and can be hired or dismissed by majority vote.
Beyond that, as much as they might like to believe differently, our leaders are not kings. We are not subjects, we are citizens. They work for us, they do not rule us. So “Super religious Joe Biden” is the one in violation...
My prayer for Biden? That God will block him from at least some of the evil he plans, and that he will convert - OR face judgment, preferably in this life, for a lifetime of devotion to evil.
What I’ll not do is what some baptists have been urging - pray for his safety, good health, etc! “God Bless Stalin” just doesn’t strike me as a Christian prayer.
“What I’ll not do is what some baptists have been urging - pray for his safety, good health, etc!”
I’ve been a Baptist for 72 years. No WAY do I pray for his safety, good health, etc.
The Bible says, “Ye have not because ye ask not.” Well, I ask / beg / pray that no Democrat will be in the Oval Office a month from now. Whatever it takes. If that means no safety and bad health for Biden ... so be it.
Drawing one’s entire theology concerning our relationship with authority from five verses fails to consider the whole tenor of Scripture.
Folks,
Get your Bibles out and read them. There is such a thing as “systematic Theology.” Look at the whole, seek higher ground.
Romans 13 requires people to obey the law.
The law in our country that God has appointed for us is the Constitution. The Constitution does not grant us free speech, the right to bear arms, or freedom of worship. The Constitution makes it illegal for the authorities to prevent exercise of those rights.
When our authorities in particular abridge those rights, it is they who are the criminals. It is they who have broken the law. It is they who have rebelled against God’s commands in Romans 13.
Right. There’s nothing Christian about praying that evil is successful.
Matt. 5:44 seems to say different my friend. Personally speaking I am really struggling to keep a Christian outlook on all this.
Lately I’ve been looking forward to weekly church services more than ever.
Yeah but...can we just skip right to the hot coals upon their heads part of the prayer?
In the US our ruler is the Constitution. The president takes an oath to God to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. It seems to me that if he fails to do so, we need to remind God in prayer of his oath for possible correction and/or rebuke.
I’m so glad to see this brought up. I’ve been struggling with trying to determine what is my responsibility, as a citizen, to this illegal regime. The Biblical directive to respect those in authority has been turned on its head. “Whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” In our present situation, the person holding office has, through blatant theft and silencing of investigations, rebelled against the legitimate, God-ordered government. Reading the relevant scriptures through that perspective definitely changes the interpretation.
Even the insane Ceasars of ancient Rome and the maniac Hitler legally achieved their power through their respective systems. The current occupants of Federal power have stolen that authority. God is not a fan of theft. If those holding governmental powers are illegitimate, what, as a citizen of a (formerly) free republic, are my responsibilities regarding that usurping government?
This is a question that requires calm deliberation, which is difficult to do when righteous anger is burning. The time for action will come. I suspect the specific action will be different for each individual, but if we rely on God’s timing and direction, the action will be effective. If we do act recklessly and out of anger, the unintended consequences may be tragic. Pray often, ask for wisdom, and listen for directions.
Disagree. Nothing in that verse suggests I need to pray my enemies will live happy lives and be successful. Loving my enemies suggests I pray for their conversion. Praying for an evil man to be successful in evil is contrary to what we find all through the Bible.
It has rarely been more important that Christians understand this principle of civil disobedience.
The Civil Authorities have been ordained by God as His servants to “Do us good”. Since a servant can not be greater than his master he must call good what God calls good and evil what God calls evil. Nowhere in scripture does it allow the Christian to obey the State and disobey God so long as we can show we did so at the command of the State.
For two thousand years Christians have been persecuted and killed because they they lived by this rule of conscience: When the Authorities ordained by God require what God forbids; or forbids what God requires, then the Christian obeys God.
The State as God’s creation to provide good order can never have the moral authority to cause us to obey evil laws and sin against God.
This is why Godless Marxism must try to crush Christianity and force us to worship the State where ever Communism has been planted.
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