The Bible, the Believer, and The Governors of State

Following “Decision 2012” Facebook and Twitter have been ablaze with comments, criticisms, and concerns over the outcome. There was a lot at stake in this election, and not just the usual economic and foreign policy issues.  Though there is no party out there that could be labeled “Christian,” there was a party who built a platform on decidedly anti-Christian principles. Many believers, like me, are deeply grieved over the outcome, and have passionately addressed their concerns over things to come for a nation that has rejected God’s Word.

Many well-meaning Christians have stepped in to the fray, sharing Bible verses about our need to submit to and honor the governing authorities.  But what does that really mean?  Should Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have bowed down to the king’s statue? Should Daniel have taken a month off from praying?  Was it wrong for Elijah to stand up to Ahab? What about Amos, Jeremiah, and the rest of the profits who spoke out against Israel’s Kings and the rulers of surrounding nations? 

Adolph Hitler, Idi Amin, and Pol-Pot were all governing authorities. Did God expect believers to submit to them and carry out their atrocities? Of course not. We would say, “There is a higher law.” And there is a higher law we follow today that declares homosexuality is sin, abortion is murder, coerced wealth redistribution is robbery, and rewarding irresponsibility is unjust.  Can we resist these things and still be in submission to governing authorities?  Does submission mean we can never speak out against transgressors of God’s law?

Let’s consider the Bible texts being used to speak on the matter and see what a Christ-followers response should be.

Romans 13:1-7

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. ² Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴ for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. ⁷ Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

This exhortation is made based on the understanding that the governing authorities are fulfilling their responsibility to punish bad conduct and act as “God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”  But what about the case where the governing authorities are promoting what is evil in the sight of the Lord? Do we submit to and accept a government doing just the opposite? We have plenty of Biblical examples (some cited above) of those who did not subject themselves to governing authorities when they did not fulfill their God given role. When we see a government in rebellion against Biblical principles, we may be filled with righteous indignation, speak out against its evil ways, and take advantage of our freedoms and rights to initiate change.

Titus 3:1-11

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. ³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. ⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸ The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Paul had sent Titus to the island of Crete to appoint elders in every town. There was a need for men who could rebuke the “insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers” who were bringing false teaching (1:10-11). Tutus was instructed to teach them sound doctrine (2:1-10) and then in the verse preceding the situation above he was told to “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you” (2:15). In 3:9-10 he brings up the foolish controversies and disruptive people addressed in chapter 1.  Contextually, the “rulers and authorities” in this passage are church authorities. This is not an instruction concerning governmental authorities.

1 Peter 3:13-17

¹³ Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. ¹⁷ Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Peter writes these words to Jewish Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor. The Jews already had a reputation for being “anti-government” as a result of their frequent uprisings in Palestine. Now, these Jews had come to faith in Christ as Lord, Messiah and King. This was a king other than Caesar, and these believers were accused of insubordination against the state.  Peter prefaced these words by saying, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”  He is instructing them not to do anything that would give credibility to the false accusations of their opponents.  This theme carries on in 3:13-17 and 4:12-19 where they are told they may well suffer for doing what is good and right, but they should not suffer as a “murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.”

This passage, like Romans 13, comes under the assumption that governors are “punishing those who do evil” and “praise those who do good.” 

Of course, believers do need to subject themselves to zoning laws, speed limits, and health codes. A church cannot declare a building code or health code violation “persecution” less they are guilty of suffering as a law breaker.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Paul is writing to Timothy whom he has left in Ephesus to take care of some difficult matters in the church. He exhorts Timothy of the need to offer prayer for all people, and makes special mention of “kings and all who are in high positions” and tells why to pray: that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  His is an especially fitting prayer for Ephesus, for when Paul brought the Gospel to Ephesus in Acts 19 a riot broke out, and it was the town clerk who stepped in and brought an end to the uproar.  During the Roman Empire the primary duty of local officials was to keep the peace. The prayer here is for believers to be allowed to live out a peaceful and quiet life, so that they may freely spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Frequently the statement is made that instead of criticizing our public leaders we should be praying for them. Who says we can’t do both?  We is it assumed by so many that speaking out against the sin of the administration means that we are not also praying about it?

Philippians 3:20

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

Ultimately we are citizens of the heavenly kingdom with Christ as our King regardless of what earthly rulers may come. Nevertheless, we are blessed to live in a land where we may exercise free speech and call out our government when it does wrong.  Paul stands out as an example of a man who was never afraid to exercise his rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 16:35-40; 22:22-29; 25:11). Likewise, we should never be afraid to exercise our rights as U.S. citizens.

Romans 12:17-21

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with go

Bible believing followers of Christ should be angry at what has come to pass in our nation over the past 50+ years. But there is a reason why Christian’s don’t riot like some other religions when they are offended.  We know that in the end God will make all things right.  Being as we are “simultaneously sinners and saints” we don’t always respond in a saintly manner, and may come to regret things said and done in the heat of the moment.  Yet, when things settle down, it is the Christian who can recognize the need to get on with the mission of the church: to preach repentance and faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

The struggles that no doubt lie ahead for Christians in the U.S. will separate the false professors from the true possessors and make way for genuine revival among God’s people. 

For now we say with Habakkuk:

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the deer's;
    he makes me tread on my high places.