Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
When reading the Bible, care must be taken not to misinterpret what God is saying to us. Those rulers referred to in the above passage include the secular as well as those who are spiritual, and all who have been ordained by God to lead His people upon the earth.
As Christians we are to follow the Bible’s instruction on good deportment, good mannerisms and respect for those authorities that have been either ordained by God, or have been permitted by God to rule over the nations. Christianity, as a general rule of thumb does not make a person a brawler or a law breaker.
Instead, the love of God in the heart often tends to subdue those impulses that produce riots, protests, and upheavals against authorities of God’s choosing even if those rulers may not be entirely in line with God’s will. This statement might irk some folks, but it is what the scriptures teach.
Christians are to pay their taxes even when their tax burden is unreasonably high, and due respect is to be shown for those in authority, even if we did not vote for them, or may be at political odds with their philosophies, methods, and principles.
In other words, God is not telling us that we have to like those in authority; He is saying that we ought to respect their offices, as being ordained or permitted by God, and as such, any disagreements folks might have with their ideologies and political views should be voiced respectfully, if at all, as the situation may warrant.
Christians who identify as Democrats or Republicans should be able to live on the same street, showing a mutual respect for each other’s views, even if such views are at odds with one’s core beliefs. Thus, the overall perspective given in the scriptures, of those who obey God, is that they will generally be peace- loving and law-abiding citizens.
Several passages given in the scriptures deal with a Christian’s conduct in the public and private square and those undergirding principles are to govern our behaviors and deportments as we intermingle with our fellow citizens, and with the government, even if we may not share their views on certain matters. Let’s read:
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
To recompense to no man evil for evil will go a long way in bridging the partisan divide in politics, which has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Christians should never threaten those with whom they do not agree politically, and if one takes out an ad in the New York times, defaming another, a true Christian is not to respond in like currency.
Again, the passage we just read states that persons should provide things that are honest in the sight of all men. The tendency to dig up dirt on your political rival, especially when such dirt is being manipulated and exaggerated to bring out the worst in another is not something that any Christian should do.
We are to be very careful lest we be drawn into the ranks of devils by using the currency that they use, for the Scriptures teach us that Christians are not to respond in like manner, when ill-treated, maligned or lied about. Love bears all things, even when dirt is deliberately splattered all over one’s good name. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffers long and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
[Testimonies Vol. 5 pp 169] Love “rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.” He whose heart is imbued with love is filled with sorrow at the errors and weakness of others. But when truth triumphs, when the cloud that darkened the fair fame of another is removed, or when sins are confessed and wrongs corrected, he rejoices.
Love not only bears with others’ faults, but cheerfully submits to whatever suffering or inconvenience such forbearance makes necessary. This love “never fails.” It is the attribute of heaven. As a precious treasure it will be carried by its possessor through the portals of the city of God.
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
One of the sticking points many individuals struggle with is the fact that there are times when God will set up a ruler that causes much havoc and suffering to people. There have been times when an entirely stupid ruler has been permitted by God to reign and persons became perplexed as to why such and such a person was granted authority in the first place.
At such times as these, we should remember that God is not a man, He is not finite, but infinite, and because of His singular ability to read future events accurately, God is able to plan and execute quite strategically, and when His providence is reviewed in retrospect, we will discover that God did what He did flawlessly. Let’s read:
Isaiah 55: 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the Sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Case in point is that, to the Hebrews, sitting in that state of bondage to the Egyptians, it might have seemed as if their deliverance was prolonged, and many of them may have become very perplexed as to why God was permitting that particular pharaoh to do what he was doing to God’s people.
But in setting up kings, and permitting them to do things that make no sense to us, God’s plans know no haste and no delay, and in the fullness of time, at the right time, His perfect will would be known. Let’s read:
Genesis 15: 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Exodus 12:41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.
Therefore, as it pertains to rulers who are given an opportunity to rule, we must be reconciled to the fact that we may not necessarily like those persons, yet for the sake of obeying God’s instructions to us on the structural integrity of society, we should be willing to obey up to a point as we will explain later.
Two instances in the Bible clearly demonstrate what is being said, and we would do well to study with a humble heart and teachable spirit, the providences of God which may seem to make no sense to finite minds. And we should remember that God has not called us primarily to agree with Him, but rather to obey Him. Let’s read:
Exodus 9: 13 And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
Daniel 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his.
21 And he changes the times and the seasons: He removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.
22 He reveals the deep and secret things: he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
However, there is a line that rulers who are set up by God are never to cross. When any earthly ruler who has been given power by God, tries to force or require persons under their jurisdiction to explicitly transgress the laws of God, then we have a sacred duty to disobey such rulers.
Rendering unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s is not an open-ended commitment to do everything Caesar requires, regardless of what the scriptures teach. We are to render only so much obedience as is in accordance with those instructions given in the Bible, but beyond that, we have no moral obligation to Caesar.
This is a most critically important point for there are times when persons had their allegiances mixed up, and in rendering obedience to what an earthly ruler required they trampled upon the law of God, and by so doing, individuals relegated God to a subordinate position, and elevated the human above the Divine, something that must never ever be done.
For instance, we have read previously where it was God who had permitted that particular pharaoh to be on the throne when the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt. But when he required of the Hebrew mid-wives that they slay all the male children by casting them into the river, he crossed a red line, and they were obligated to absolutely disobey his diabolical orders. Let’s read:
Exodus 1:15 And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah.
16 And he said, When you do the office of midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
The law of God explicitly states: “Thou shall not kill” and therefore, to require the wanton murder of the Hebrew infants, contrary to God’s laws, would have made God subservient to a mortal man, if the mid-wives had complied. They didn’t, and here we have one of several instances where God actually blessed disobedience.
Exodus 1:20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. 21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
Again, we have the instance where David required of Joab, an act of murder in order to cover his deeds with Bathsheba. As his top general, Joab was not to obey blindly any and everything the God appointed leader would require.
David’s commands to Joab should have first been made to pass the smell test of the scriptures, and if they would violate God’s law Joab was to absolutely refuse, even if his job might be in jeopardy.
For top military generals in any government to kill innocent persons indiscriminately, especially when unprovoked, as was the case with Uriah, because they have been commanded to do so by a superior, is a moral failure, and a grave dereliction of duty to God and man.
Military personnel in our day are never to implicitly obey unwarranted orders to mow down innocents, just because some arbitrary ruler might command them to do so, for such generals will be culpable for their deeds, and would bear the full brunt of God’s judgement when crunch time comes around. Let’s read:
2nd Samuel 11: 14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
Having once entered upon a path of blind loyalty to David, Joab’s conscience became seared, as with a hot iron, and thus, when future compliance to any request made by David would be required, Joab’s weakened conscience would buckle time and time again under pressure, even if his own conscience disturbed him greatly. Let’s read:
1st Chronicles 21: And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
3 And Joab answered, The Lord make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
5 And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David.
As a result of his disposition to yield obedience to mortals, instead of God, Joab died an ignominious death, and he most likely will be on the other side of the fence on resurrection morning. All generals, soldiers, lay people, and subordinates who follow a similar course, will meet with retribution sooner or later, if needed changes are not made. Let’s read:
1st Kings 2:28 Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
29 And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.
30 And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the Lord, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus, said Joab
and thus he answered me.
31 And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.
32 And the Lord shall return his blood upon his own head….
[Patriarchs And prophets pp 719] David's power had been given him by God, but to be exercised only in harmony with the divine law. When he commanded that which was contrary to God's law, it became sin to obey. “The powers that be are ordained of God”, but we are not to obey them contrary to God's law.
This brings us to the core of the Bible study, for in our day we too would have to choose whether we will obey God rather than Caesar, if Caesar gives us commands which are directly contrary to what God has instructed us.
After the newly formed Christian church was up and running, they soon began to run into turbulence and resistance from the earthly authorities because they went about preaching the Gospel, in harmony with the mandate given to all believers by Christ Himself.
The apostles and believers preached the good news of Christ our Savior, but they ran into stiff resistance from the authorities in Jerusalem, and it wasn’t long before they would be accosted, jailed, beaten, and reprimanded for obeying God’s voice. Let’s read:
Acts 4:1 And as they spoke unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
Apparently, this was not a mere one-time incident, for they continued to be harassed, and threatened by those in authority, on account of the truths that were being presented.
The preaching of present truth, in any era, is not to be dependent on whether or not the authorities in question agree, or approve of it. The commission to preach and sow beside all waters was given by God, and as such, it is to take precedence over any man-made restriction to the contrary. Let’s read:
Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Judging from what transpired at such a time as this, it becomes apparent that The Holy Ghost approved of the apostles’ disobedience to the authorities, by preaching the word, for they soon got confirmation from God that they were pursuing the right course, in the face of threats and intimidations. Let’s read:
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
At this juncture it is imperative that we read, with a humble heart and teachable spirit a cautionary note written for us in our day, who would be preaching, not only the three angel’s messages, but also other inconvenient truths that may not jive with majority opinion in high and low places. Let’s read:
[Last Day Events pp 148] Let those who desire to be refreshed in mind and instructed in the truth study the history of the early church during and immediately following the Day of Pentecost. Study carefully in the book of Acts the experiences of Paul and the other apostles, for God's people in our day must pass through similar experiences.
When Christ gave the commission to preach, teach, and baptize it was never intended to be subservient to those circumstances that would or would not be favorable.
The truth of the matter is that wheresoever truth is being preached in the public square, resistance is to be expected, especially when hot button issues are to be addressed, in light of what the scriptures may teach on the matter in question.
This gospel commission also applies in our day, even in situations and circumstances where preaching of the truth may rile up those who have been granted authority to rule by God, or where popular majority opinion is in stark contrast to God’s revealed will.
Indeed, it has already become quite difficult for the preachers of present truth in our day, to speak on the many departures from God’s word, that abound in modern society. Some truths such as those which pertain to God-ordained marriage, the Sabbath, and gender, are now hidden under a bushel, as it were, for fear of incurring the ire of the masses.
But, as it was in the days of old, so it is now, and so it would always be, for we will discover that earthly authorities, in many instances would try in different ways to pressure Christians into either remaining silent on controversial issues, or otherwise, present smooth words to palliate itching ears.
Those timeless words of Peter will also apply to us in our day, for “We ought to obey God rather than men”, for the time is coming, indeed is now, when “Good disobedience” may become necessary.
Let it never be said of persons who are tasked with presenting the everlasting gospel, that we received hush-money, incentives, and disincentives to come into line with that which may be popular, pleasing, or even forbidden by Caesar.
Truth must never be watered down, misinterpreted, manipulated, adjusted, deleted, or misappropriated in order to obey mortals, when they conflict with “It is written.” The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is the mandate given by God. Let God deal with the fallout, but let the soldiers of the cross be found faithful to truth and duty.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that would remind us of our God-given mandate, and it’s high time that we step up to the plate, and present the truth at all costs, whether persons will hear, or whether they will forbear. Let’s read:
2nd Timothy 4: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
God Bless!