June/2000
Recently I had the opportunity to engage in a conversation concerning a Christian's response to a government's disregard for the commands of God. Over and over we are told to submit to the government over us, such as:
Submit
yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (1Pe.2:13-14)The Bible teaches us that every authority that comes into power has been established by God, with no exceptions:
Everyone must submit himself 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, he who 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 he will commend you. (Ro.13:3)
Christians in North America like to imply that every "democratic" authority has been established by God; and yet the Bible includes communistic authority and dictatorships as being in the "every authority." I think that this is one area where the church is confused. For many Christians encourage other Christians, such as in China, to rebel against communistic authorities; and so the church rebels against the authority that God has established. The government then retaliates by placing more restrictions on the church, bringing judgement on themselves. North American democracy should not be confused with Christianity, as the democracy has long ago left Christian principles and of itself restricts the rights of Christians. For why has the government chastised the church for teaching that the Scriptures say homosexuality is wrong, and yet defend homosexuals who say that the church is wrong. Doesn’t each have the right to hold to their own beliefs, recognizing that because our beliefs differ we must agree that we disagree Do we not, as Christians, have the right to follow our Scriptures which say, Homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God (1Co.6:9-10)? We must realize that when the governing authorities enact laws contrary to our God's commands, then we must follow the Biblical order of command:
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. (1Pe.2:17)
Our obedience to God's commands takes precedence over our submission to the governing authorities. Our response, to civilian laws that are contrary to God's commands, is not organizing a rebellion but rather praying that God control the authorities- all of which He instituted:
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1Ti.2:1-2)
We are to pray constantly for those who govern, that they be sympathetic to God's people and conscious of God's commands. Too often we take up the worldly ways: of lobbying; demonstration; and yes, to our Lord's shame, rebellion rather then ask God to move the hearts of those who govern. Only God can move the hearts of men in response to our prayers:
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. (Pr.21:1)
If we do not entrust God with our governing authorities but rebel against it by our own might, we will bring judgement not only on ourselves but the whole of Christendom. For we read:
For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent 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 because of conscience. (Ro.13:4-5)
To be under a governing authority which opposes God's people is nothing new; the early church was placed in such a situation. Immediately after Pentecost Peter and John go to the temple and heal a crippled man. As the people responded in amazement, Peter preached the good news of Christ. The apostles were arrested and taken to the Sanhedrin, the governing body of the Jews; where we read:
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. (Ac.3:18)
Here we find a conflict: Jesus commanded that His church preach the good news to all nations, but the governing authorities are commanding them the direct opposite. The Bible teaches us to fear God before we honor the king, and so Christ's command takes precedence:
But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. (Ac.3:19-21)
The apostles did not organize a rebellion to overthrow their government, rather they prayed:
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. (Ac.4:29)
Some might say that the Apostles were disobedient, and they are right. On the other hand, we must understand that submission is the inner attitude of obedience. One day in school a little boy refused to sit down. Finally after much coercion he sits down but responds, "In my body I may be sitting down, but in my heart I am still standing up!" This little Boy was obedient but he was not submissive. In the same way, we as Christians can be disobedient, yet be submissive. For the Apostles continued to preach Christ contrary to the commands of the Sanhedrin, after one incident we read:
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." (Ac.5:17-20)
God supported the apostles disobedience by sending an angel to free them from jail and commands them to remain disobedient by continuing to teach about Christ. They were arrested again as soon as they started preaching to the people:
Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! (Ac.5:27-29)
The apostles persisted in their disobedience as commanded by God, and yet they were submissive to them. We read:
They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. (Ac.5:40-41)
The Apostles were submissive as they accepted the due punishment for their disobedience. In fact, they did not just accept it but were joyful for being counted worthy of suffering for Christ. We as Christians are not to overthrow those who oppose us, but when tried we are to joyfully accept their punishment for our disobedience. Jesus said:
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Mt.10:16)
When persecuted for our faith through unjust laws, we are not to rebel. We also are not to become martyrs for no reason; we are to flee like doves whose nest is threatened. If we are caught , then we must joyfully accept the punishment as being an honor to suffer for his name. We are not even to rebel in as much as withholding our taxes from them:
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Ro.13:6-7)
When Jesus was questioned about paying taxes to a foreign government who imposed their authority upon the Jewish nation, He responded:
"Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him. (Mk.12:16-17)
Therefore just as Jesus did not encourage nor support rebellion against opposing governments, so too must we live as best as possible being obedient to our governing authorities. However, should they oppose the commands of God, we must obey Him as of being a higher authority; yet submit to the governing authority by joyfully accepting the punishment inflicted upon us.