Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Good news, king Jesus brings the Kingdom of God. This impacts how we relate to our government. The verses above clearly say that governing authorities are appointed by God. So, we are not to resist them but obey them, Rm 13:5. And we are to support them, Rm 13:6-7, except where they are unjust. We do so by paying taxes and revenue and respect and honor. And, in 1 Tim 2:2, Paul says pray for our governing authorities. Living as citizens of the Kingdom of God means living under God's authority in this world, not just the next. So, we submit to God's authority behind human government.
Why, then, did Peter and John disobey the governing authorities in Acts 4? Paul answers this in Romans 13:3-4. God appointed government to deal with wrongdoers. So, when the government acts unjustly or tries to prevent the service of God, then it loses the authority of God, and his authority is higher. Likewise, in Nazi Germany, the church would have been right to speak against the policies and practices of the government against the Jews (we discussed this in Sunday school). Obeying God rather than man is also living by the Kingdom of God. This too is gospel living. As I have said, the gospel of salvation is part of the gospel of the Kingdom, yet it is the core that drives it.
So, what do we say about the riots continuing to take place in many of our cities? After news of the death of George Floyd came out, some of the violence could be understood as pent up frustration, “the voice of the unheard” as some say. That could be forgiven and overlooked. Protests are part of how our society and government work. But there is a difference between protest and riots. Very quickly criminals and thieves took advantage of the disorder to vandalize and steal. Very quickly anarchists such as Antifa coopted legitimate protest and drowned out the legitimate voice about racism. I cannot speak for all of them but much of the unrest we are seeing in our cities today is an attack on the God-given authority of our government.
We need to pray for our governing authorities, state, local and national, the police, federal agents and national guard. Write or call in support of them. We have a legitimate way to change policies and to fire officials; it’s called voting. The anarchist and criminals would take that from us. Ask God to guide, preserve and protect our authorities. He knows there is worse than what we have.
Jeremiah 29:4-7 is an excellent passage to reflect on concerning this issue. As Jeremiah indicates, the prosperity of our land brings prosperity to his people. Prosperity is more than money it includes peace and wellbeing.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor MacDonald