Human Authorities -vs- God

From the Christian perspective, insurrection against government is not in accordance with what God wills, since God is the One Who establishes human governments. 

Romans 13:1-5 reads:
"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."

Non-believers like to use the above scripture to silence and tie the hands of Christians (for some reason, they make it a point to know this scripture) who oppose what a corrupt government may be doing. But, what if the ruling authority decrees obviously wrong and evil decrees that clearly go against God's word? Should Christians obey that which is wrong? Certainly not. Everything must be weighted in accordance to God's word.  In Acts 5:29 , the apostles said, "We must obey God rather than human beings."  God's word trumps human decrees.

Daniel, Chapter 3 and Daniel, Chapter 6 (read them) shows how godly men disobeyed evil edicts from human government without fear because they trusted in God, rather than men. 

Christians know that they must not participate in crimes and/or sins against the bodies and lives of other people.  If we do, we must expect to be punished by the governing authorities. Read 1 Peter 4:15-19.

There may come a time when disobeying corrupt and evil government leads Christians to be jailed or even killed.  If it comes to that, let it be.  It is much better to suffer for Christ's sake for doing right than for doing wrong.

No comments: