Last night I spent the evening with a friend, and we inevitably got into a conversation about this week’s election. We started to ask questions about what God thinks of the earthy government. As we searched the scriptures for some answers, this particular passage jumped out:
“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.” (Romans 13:1-2, esv)
This passage makes clear the responsibility we have as Christians to our government. We are to “be subject to” (which generally means to obey, see also 1 Peter 3:5–6) the government because it has been ordained by God. This is one of the institutions divinely ordained by God for order in this world; the others are family and the Church.
There are some instances in the New Testament and the Old where God approves of Christians disobeying government, but only when obedience to government would mean disobeying God. A prime example of that is when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to not obey King Nebuchadnezzar because it was in direct violation of their devotion to God (Daniel 3). In the end God preserved their lives and made His glory known.
Even if you didn’t vote for the people who were installed in to office, we are to see them as “Instituted by God.” Sometimes God gives good authorities as a blessing, and sometimes He institutes evil rulers as a means of trial or judgment. Nonetheless, God is still ruling over all the earthly authorities and allowing them to fulfill their role because it is part of the outplaying of His sovereign plan (See passages like Psalms 75:7 and Daniel 2:21).
Last night my friend and I ended our conversation by looking to the future promise of Heaven and Christ’s rein. We have the hope that all earthly “authorities” will ultimately be superseded by the rule of Christ (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 22:1–5). Remember, this is not our home; we are just passing through.
(works cited: ESV Study Bible)
