An Important Responsibility

Back to By David C. Pack

The Christian’s responsibility does not end with mere obedience to government authority. Paul actually tells us to pray for those in authority—and includes a specific reason. He states, “I EXHORT therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; THAT WE MAY LEAD A QUIET AND PEACEABLE LIFE in all godliness and honesty” (I Tim. 2:1-2).

Of course, if times of persecution and difficulty in society grow worse, then it is far harder to lead a life of peace, godliness and honesty. Prayers for those in authority can cause God to bring relief to those who are striving to obey Him. It is important that we never forget this responsibility.

Do Not Suffer as “Evildoers”

Christ said that Christians are to be the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13-16). They are always to shine as outstanding examples to the world. This includes a humble willingness to cheerfully obey all civil governments under which they find themselves.

When persecution comes as a direct result of obeying God’s commands, Peter instructs, “If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified” (I Pet. 4:14). However, he makes a clear distinction between suffering for the name of Jesus Christ and suffering as a lawbreaker. The next verse continues, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters” (I Pet 4:15).

During my thirty-plus year ministry, I have known many people who sought to get around the laws of men. Sometimes, when they were brought to justice, they even found a way to claim that they were really being persecuted for their religious convictions. They also supposed that they could “get away with” what they did without being caught—or that what they were doing was not really wrong, because they were merely breaking the laws of men. But God commands us to always keep the laws of men—unless they are contrary to His laws, directly or indirectly.

During these years, I have visited and known of many who were either in jail or prison, or had previously been there. Almost none of them thought that they were guilty of the crime that had put them behind bars. They nearly always seemed to see themselves as victims of someone, or something else.

I have watched people break men’s laws (and sometimes God’s laws at the same time) and proclaim themselves victims of injustice, the system, betrayal, the police, bad lawyers, a frame-up, stress, depression, drugs, alcohol, medication, disease, racism, circumstances (including poverty), a bad childhood, broken home, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, etc. Rarely did I find people who did not believe that their crimes were “someone else’s fault.” It is nearly impossible to help such people see their own guilt. And, unfortunately, since most people naturally root for the underdog, such people seem to easily sway others into believing that they are victims.

Jesus said that one of the signs that we would be near the end of the age (Matt. 24:3) would be that “iniquity [lawlessness] would abound” (Mt 24:12). We have certainly entered that time.

We live in an age of “anti-heroes,” when lawbreakers can be seen as virtuous, or courageous. Foolish people often see them as modern-day “Robin Hoods.” The truth is, Robin Hood committed crimes in order to give to the poor!

Do not fall for this—either in your own thinking or the thinking of others! Submit yourself to all of the ordinances of men as though you were directly obeying God Himself—because that is exactly what you are doing when you obey men’s laws. Do not break men’s laws and try to assert that you are in some way actually serving God (John 16:2).

Also, when courts make final rulings, on any matter, they are to be obeyed. To defy them is sin—and either a civil or criminal offense! Never let human reasoning fool you with its endless excuses for why this is not really wrong!

No Power But of God

In a Member/Co-worker letter, regarding submission to government authority, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote,

“…Romans 13…says, ‘Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God.’

“Stop and analyze that before proceeding. ‘There is NO power but of God.’ Where does Satan get his power? God gave it to him at a time when he was ‘perfect in all his ways…till iniquity was found in him.’ (Ezek. 28). In Ephesians ‘we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’ (Eph. 6:12)…These demonic invisible powers of Satan SWAY and lead those in high places in human government!

Nevertheless, this Scripture does tell us, speaking about our several individual lives to ‘BE SUBJECT UNTO’ these higher powers OF MEN, even though elsewhere God shows they are powers of ‘THIS EVIL WORLD,’ and deceived and misled by Satan. But ‘be subject unto’ does not always mean OBEY. When it would be a matter of DISOBEYING GOD, we are to obey God, and still be ‘subject to’ whatever punishment the powers of man inflict.

“There can be NO power, of ANY government, except what God allows. This passage is instruction to us in our INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL LIFE! And our people indeed are a law-abiding, patriotic people.”