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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Have we walked away from God’s authority and God’s Truth by having multiple religions (truths)and with false teachers proclaiming false truths?
We seem to accept man-made truth and selectively part of God’s Truth.
There is wholesale evil in the world and the US, so there is evil in the authorities. Many accept abortion, as they accepted slavery. We need to work for good over evil with God’s help.
God is testing us in this life on whether we will be righteous and endure to the end.