TGIF
A few days ago Cindy and I received our vote-by-mail ballots for the upcoming local and state primary elections, so it reminded me to get ready to vote again. It also made me think about what the Bible says about governments and other ruling authorities, including evil kings and despots. So let’s take a look at some Bible passages regarding how we should respond to governing authorities according to God’s Word.
The first scripture below was written by the apostle Peter, who became in many ways a spokesman for the group of 12 disciples (including the choice of Matthias to replace Judas, see Acts 1:15-26). The letter was written to help the Christians that had been falsely blamed by Nero with burning Rome when most Romans thought Nero burned the city himself. Peter wrote this letter to strengthen the Christians in their belief due to the severe sufferings they were receiving from the Romans. Note that the additional highlighting in this and later scriptures is mine.
1 Peter 2:13-17 – Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
The believers were told to obey the laws of their rulers and do not return evil for evil. Verse 17 summarizes their expected behavior and response to the government – honor everyone including the king, love the church (brotherhood), and, most importantly, continue to serve and fear God. Imagine the difficulty in living this life, given what they were experiencing on a daily basis. The next scripture was written from Paul to Timothy, one of Paul’s close followers.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 – First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Apparently, the Ephesian church had stopped praying for lost people, and Paul was reminding Timothy of this important facet of Christianity. Paul pointed out the great need to continue seeking to save all lost people, including leaders, in spite of their depravity. Such a life will provide the Christians a quiet and peaceful life with dignity despite their surroundings. God does not want us to ever give up trying to save others, including those who may seem unsalvageable to us. It is not to be our decision on who to save, but to live a Godly life in our normal daily walk. Paul then wrote another letter to Titus, who was another beloved disciple of his.
Titus 3:1-2 – Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people.
This note repeats the same instruction as the above letter to Timothy. However, there is one additional important stipulation that God’s Word says is critical in response to any government.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
If any required government action would require us to break any of God’s commandments, we are not to do so as we will be judged on our response as will all government officials.
An early instance is reported in the Bible in this scripture from Exodus:
Exodus 1:15-17 – Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah, and the other was named Puah; 16 and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.
Also, remember the fate of Daniel and the lion’s den! King Nebuchadnezzar made a new decree that everyone had to worship his golden image. When Daniel was made ruler of Babylon, he appointed three men as his administrative assistants. This is how those three men responded to the king’s new decree:
Daniel 3:16–18 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we are not in need of an answer to give you concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.”
Then we all know Daniel’s response to the king and his experience in the lion’s den as described in Chapter 6 of Daniel.
In the New Testament, we note when Peter and the apostles were spreading the early word about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection and miracles that were happening, they were arrested and required by the government leaders to stop their speaking. These were their replies to the leaders:
Acts 4:19 – But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment”.
Acts 5:29 – But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men”.
Here is the most important point to consider – to submit to a government does not necessarily mean to obey! These are two separate actions or positions one can take.
Though Paul, Peter and other followers of God’s Word deliberately disobeyed laws that were in conflict with God’s commands, they still submitted to the authorities by accepting the legal consequences of their actions. That is what we need to do when we are in conflict with any governmental ruling.
How should we decide when we have a conflict between our government ruling and a Godly commandment? Let your conscience be your guide:
2 Corinthians 1:12 – For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
What we always need to remember is that each of us, including government officials, will be judged by our commitment to God’s Word rather than by our deeds and service. Always remember:
John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”.