Re: Verse reading–Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (day one)
Christians are a paradox where government is concerned. Sometimes we are patriots. Sometimes we are rebels. The Bible teaches us to be” subject to the governing authorities”. (Romans 13:1) We are to pay taxes. We are to show respect, give honor. (13:6) But, to whom is government subject? God! The mandate that government holds comes from Him, not from any popular vote. It is for this reason that Christians, over the course of history, have had no ache of conscience in disobeying government when to do so constituted disobedience to God. “We must obey God, rather then men” said Peter and John in Acts 4:19. When government oversteps its authority, it loses its authority–that’s what we believe. “The government is merely a servant. It cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what it wrong, who the patriot is and who isn’t. Its function is to obey orders, not to give them.”–Mark Twain.
Thanks you for these wise words, Paster. I needed to hear them.