On Obedience to Earthly Authorities
This is a compilation of verses I've come across in my reading, OT and New, that say we have to obey civil authority, so long as what they require with their laws does not put us in conflict with God's laws. I find no verse that says I can oppose civil authority for my own reasons. I cannot oppose civil authority if I disagree with the laws it imposes. I find no law of God that says I am to remain armed so that I can oppose civil authority with force. Maybe these things are in the Bible, but after reading it several times, I am sure that if they are here, they are not stated in an obvious way. I have yet to find any of these things. What I have found on the subject is listed below:
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, 22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? [Pro 24:21-22 ESV]
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:1-2 NKJV
In light of recent events this would include...sheltering in place, avoiding unnecessary travel, and wearing a mask in public.
It already includes giving up guns if a new law says do that, paying taxes to a government that promotes abortion, socialism, and atheism, and not resisting (insert favorite government requirement here)...Governments, governors, mayors, and Presidents are there because God put them there. We are to be examples of submission, according to this verse, not examples of rebellion. Oppose what you want to oppose so long as you are not breaking the law. If the law goes against you, obey the law. There's no getting around this. If you don't like the government, pray for God to change it. Vote to change it. But do it in submission, within the law. This means that Biden is your President. This means be subject to Biden. It also meant be subject to Trump before Biden, and Obama before Trump. And tomorrow, it might mean be subject to Harris.
Lest we think there is still some wiggle room about this, here are several more:
1 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. [1Ti 2:1-2 ESV]
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, [Tit 3:1 ESV]
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. [1Pe 2:13-14 ESV]
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. [Pro 16:10 ESV]
28 "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. [Exo 22:28 ESV]
This one goes way back. Possibly the first time we've seen it stated.
See that? Do not revile a ruler. Trump haters, Pelosi haters, and so on are indefensibly in the wrong. This is not a judgment call. Each "hater" is as wrong as the other. This one hits particularly hard. Not reviling means not lacing our opinions with curses and epithets about our least favorite politicians. We are to go beyond submission.
The Bible says render unto Caesar, and it says obey the laws of the king. It does not qualify those statements. The Bible says we can only defy a law that requires disobedience to Him. We are required to die willingly for such disobedience, not to fight for our right to disobey. There are no Biblical grounds to repay the injustice of government or the corruption of government with violence against that Government.
Makes you think, doesn't it?