Should Christians Submit to Government Authority?

Next Part What If Leaders are Hypocritical?

BY DAVID C. PACK

Should you always obey civil authority? Does the Bible ever endorse breaking man’s laws? When man’s laws are in conflict with God’s laws, which have precedence? Must Christians pay taxes? Do Christians have a duty to reform the governments of men? Many are confused about these issues. Here are the answers! Look around you! Disrespect for authority has probably never been greater than it is now. It seems to grow worse daily. General lawlessness is growing on a worldwide scale!

More than ever, civilization is now driven by the spirit of rebellion, and the pursuit of “personal freedoms” and “individual rights.” Many in society are actively and systematically tearing down institutions one by one, in a visible and growing trend toward anarchy on every level—social, political, civil, moral, economic, religious and domestic.

Why? Because human nature hates government (Rom. 8:7)—in every form! It hates being told what to do. It naturally tries to find “loopholes” in instructions—and law. People have grown to be almost entirely concerned about whether their freedoms and rights are being violated. Few are concerned about the growing chaos and confusion threatening more and more people and nations. None of the humanly-devised governments on earth are perfect. They are filled with corruption, inefficiency, inconsistency and, often, outright injustice! Most ministers teach that it is a Christian’s duty to “make the world a better place.” They believe that, through the “efforts of good people, all working together,” the world and its governments can find peace, prosperity and happiness for all.

Is this true? Do Christians have a spiritual duty to make this world’s governments better? Does Christ want you to “write your Congressman” about issues you want addressed?

A Christian is one who follows Jesus Christ—and obeys God. Christ continually spoke about God’s government being established on earth. Christians yield to and obey—submit themselves to—THIS government! (Read our booklet What Is the Kingdom of God? to learn more about this future, world-ruling government.)

But must Christians also obey the governments of men? What should your relationship be to your country’s government? Do you have a responsibility to reform it? Are Christians free to speak evil of individuals in authority if they do not like what they do? What about taxes? Does God require that they be paid?

All Christians live in a physical country on earth. Every country has some form of human government. There is no escaping the need to address how and whether a Christian is required to obey man’s laws, statutes and ordinances.

So what does the Bible say? What did Christ teach about submitting to government authority? What did He do? The apostle Peter stated, “Judgment must begin at the house of God” (I Pet. 4:17). Christians must understand this subject—for God shall judge them on it.

The Bible Teaching

The Bible has much to say on this matter. We will see God’s instructions are clear.

First, we need to understand basic instruction about the Christian calling. A Christian is not of this world or its systems. Regarding the religious and political systems of men—Babylon—God instructs, “Come out of her, MY PEOPLE, that you be not partakers of her sins” (Rev. 18:4). Babylon means confusion. The true servants of God have come out of this world, its governments and its confusion (I Cor. 14:33).

The night before Christ was crucified, He explained, through prayer, an important principle to His disciples: “I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Your truth: YOUR WORD IS TRUTH” (John 17:15-17).

A Christian is one who believes and follows the truth. This sets him apart (sanctifies him) from all those around him. He is not of the world and its ways, customs, and traditions.

Of course, a Christian cannot live on Mars or in a cave. He cannot leave Planet Earth or live as a hermit on a mountaintop. Christ did not mean for us to come out of the physical world. He meant that we are to come out of its systems of governments and religions. So, Christians do have contact with, and live under, human governments. How does God tell them to view those governments?

Here is what the apostle Paul wrote: “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. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ORDINANCE OF GOD: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you 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 does evil. Wherefore you must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay you tribute [taxes] also: for they are God’s ministers attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” (Rom. 13:1-7).

These verses contain much to consider. They leave no question that all people (“every soul”)—including Christians—are subject to the “higher powers,” because they are “ordained of God.” To resist them, God says, is to “resist…God.” That is serious! God asks, “Will you then not beafraid of the power?” Many are not, but they should be!

Christians honor those who deserve honor. They pay taxes (tribute). They are subject to the government, and “Render…their dues” to all that are in authority. This is not the way most people conduct themselves today. Yet, these are the words of the Creator God.

But do not be confused! Notice that Christians are not told to be afraid of the actual men in the office, but rather “of the power” these men hold. Since they only have this power by the permission of God, then it is really the POWER OF GOD we are to fear.

The Real Authority Behind Men’s Governments

Have you ever wondered who selects the leaders of the countries on earth? Do men ultimately select kings, presidents, prime ministers and other rulers, the human leaders of the nations today?

Benjamin Franklin once said, “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man; and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” This is truer than Franklin probably ever understood. Here is proof.

We need to read Daniel 4:17. This amazing scripture is found in the middle of a remarkable story and partly explains why more talented people are leaving politics than ever before: “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will, and sets up over it the basest of men.” Also, Daniel 2:21 states, “He [God] removes kings, and sets up kings.” There is no misunderstanding the plainness of this verse. God establishes and removes kings and kingdoms. If God chooses to place the weakest and “basest” (base means bottom—like a basement) of humans in office, because He may feel this is who the people deserve, then it is His prerogative to do so.

When Christ was on trial for His life before Pontius Pilate, He clarified the real source of Pilate’s authority over the outcome of the trial. Notice: “Then said Pilate unto Him, Speak You not unto me? Know You not that I have power to crucify You, and have power to release You? Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against Me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered Me unto you has the greater sin” (John 19:10-11).

Men may come to power in many different ways, including nepotism, bribery, revolution, deceit, or even murder. But these are all things that God allows for His great, overall purpose.

Some who cite Daniel 4:17 miss the point when they say, “God is working in this election and good Christians everywhere, if we can get out the vote, can put godly men in office.” This literally puts them in a position to fight God’s purpose. Many religious leaders misunderstand this verse, believing that it is, somehow, their job to guide Christians to reform men’s governments—to somehow “make them better.” Again, many are taught that it is their “Christian duty.”

Consider: You and I do not know whom God has selected in advance—the “winner” that He wants in office. To cast a vote for someone other than the one God has already selected for victory is to potentially fight God’s purpose! That is serious business—and the Bible says that it is possible to do this (Acts 5:39)! In a democracy, where leaders are installed through elections, God determines the winners in advance. In the end, the “will of the people” has no power or effect, because God is in charge of the outcome of elections. (Read our booklet Should Christians Vote? to learn more.)

God is working out a plan that encompasses 7,000 years. He is allowing mankind to find out that its own ways, governments, values, religions and purposes do not work, and never will. God has already picked the leaders that best work toward the fulfilment of His plan of salvation for all mankind. The powers that be are truly “ordained of God.”

But do not misunderstand. While the Bible reveals that it is God who sets up and removes rulers, and that governments only have power as long as God permits it, the kingdoms of this world are not God’s kingdoms!