It seems that daily the laws of the land keep changing. We hear of politicians breaking the law and sometimes, it is laws they help put in place. So many feel there are degrees of the law, where some laws are ok to break, and some are not. No one that I know would think it is ok to murder someone, but they would have no problem with stealing from their employer. While some would support one government official, they would riot and protest another. Their idea of how we should obey or disobey the law is based on their own moral code. Peter instructs us in I Peter 2:13 that this is not the right attitude.
I Peter 2:13-14 “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”
Peter is teaching us to submit or put ourselves under the authority of all those that are governing us. There are laws, and in America, we have voted on those laws, and those that are in authority, to put them in place. We are to obey unless obeying them would violate God’s laws.
Act 4:19 “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”
In Acts 4:19, Peter and John were told not to witness anymore about Jesus. They proclaimed to those in charge, that the real question was how God would judge what they were doing, not what man thought about what they did. What the passage is reminding us of is that when man’s law violates God’s law, we must honor God’s first. Peter and John made it very clear their first responsibility was not for their safety or reputation, but they were to test everything by God’s word. If it pleased God it was right, if it didn’t it was wrong.
Romans 13:1-7 gives us a good guide as to who we are to obey. In verse 1, Paul teaches that all of us are subject to a higher power. That power is God, but any power he ordains is one that we should obey. He goes on to tell us that when we resist those powers we are resisting the power of God. We are not to fear the powers of our country, but we are to trust God and obey. We are not only to obey them, and the laws, we are to honor and respect them.
Romans 13:1- 7 “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 resisteth the power, resisteth 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. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute 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; honor to whom honor.”
There are times when it is right to resist the laws of man. When we are asked to do something that would be against the teachings of the Bible, we are not to do it. Many just ignore the law and keep their mouth shut. They don’t rock the boat either way. No one would ever know they were a disciple of Jesus Christ. However, there is a way to resist peacefully and make our case in a manner that would be respectful. At all cost, we are to be a good witness for Jesus Christ. We are not to behave in a manner that would be a reproach to His name. Our ultimate goal in this life is to win others to Him. If our actions are destructive and ugly there will be nothing about us that would draw men to Him. Unless we are asked to do something that is wrong, we should submit with a good attitude and a sweet spirit. Remember, when we obey man we are obeying God. He puts men in positions of authority and power. Sometimes we don’t understand what is going on, and why God allows certain things to happen in our world, but we must keep in mind that He is still on the throne and He knows what He is doing.
