"Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." - 1 Peter 2:13-17
Today, perhaps more than ever in my life time, commitment to divine mandates are being tested. The question is when should we submit to the governmental authorities and when should we resist? We must be careful that we don't confuse differences in preference with those things that are clearly contrary to the Word of God. Whether we should obey man or God when we don't agree with God or man has been at question since - well since the beginning. As far as agreeing with man or God is concerned - this is what Jesus said.
"And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?' But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, 'Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.' So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, 'Whose image and inscription is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar’s.' And He said to them, 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.'" - Matthew 22:16-21
Just because you don't like a law, a law that is not contrary to God's Word, does not give you the right to disobey that law. Jesus made that clear. So what about laws that are contrary to God's Word. Rendering unto God what is God's. Much has been in God's name, even by Christians, where God had nothing to do with it - it was all man and his evil heart.
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.'" - Daniel 3:16-18
As an example of facing this dilemma, there was a law that said everyone must worship the Babylonian gods and the golden image. These guys, and Daniel too, refused to obey that law because it would cause them to sin against God. Was there a consequence? Yes - a furnace for three and a lions' den for Daniel. Were they spared from death? Yes. But avoiding punishment for your disobedience to man's laws is not guarantee. Disobeying man's laws in favor of obeying God's will have consequences. And God may not spare you from them. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego said even if God does not deliver them, they still will not disobey God in favor of man's laws.
By the way, that is referred to as civil (or peaceful) disobedience. If you choose to disobey a law of the land because you disagree with it, but it is not contrary to the word of God, then you may feel you are justified in not obeying, but don't use God as your justification. He's got nothing to do with it. That is your carnality showing through.
One last thing. In the military, we are taught to obey the orders of the officers appointed over us. In other words - respect their authority. I may not respect the person holding the position above me, but I was bound by the oath I had taken to submit to their authority - so long as their orders are lawful. The same goes for civilian authorities. We are bound by Jesus' words our our oath to follow Him and submit to his authority.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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