When obeying governmental authorities
Law abiding followers of Christ
As Christians we should do everything we can to be law abiding citizens.
“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. 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, 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. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 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.” (Rom. 13:1-14 ESV)
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…” (Titus 3:1 ESV)
“Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV)
So, do we obey the government no matter what?
Since God is the one who sets up governments, as the passage at top clearly says, are we then supposed to blindly obey governmental authorities without question on everything they say, even if what they say may contradict what God condemns? The answer is no. The Bible never tells us to obey governments in contradiction to the revealed word of God. Peter and the apostles refused to obey when told not to preach in the Name of Jesus.
“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 NASB)
We are to obey governments unless they violate Scripture
Governments are run by people and often become corrupt. In the Old Testament, God sent the Israelites to destroy certain nations. You could say technically, that God had set up those various governmental systems that he told the Israelites to destroy. This was because they had deserted God, were worshipping idols and were sacrificing their children to them. When governments tell you to do things the Bible clearly condemns, you must resist. For example, if a government were to declare that we must kill all people with Down's Syndrome, or kill all Asians, or murder Jews, as Hitler and his Nazis did, we would not.
Therefore…
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Tim. 2:1-2 ESV)
Quotes:
“Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” - Jim Elliot
“Wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love.” – Augustine