Introduction
Civil government has been ordained by God. Christians should denounce civil disobedience. What does Christ say from His Word?
Christ is King:
Christ is our King, and Christ is our ultimate authority. The moral law does not change. It is eternal. The Civil law and ceremonial law ended. Exodus 20:12 parental authority is a pattern of all authority in society. HBC Lords day 39 what does the 5th commandment mean? WMLC – Question 124. Who are meant by my father and mother?
Why are things crumbling? Because they do not submit to authority. We can’t have a society where people can do whatever they want.
Jesus commanded us in
Matthew 22:21 (NKJV) They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
But there is a distinction made here. Jesus did not oppose Herod when he imprisoned John the baptist. Jesus did not say “let’s go get him” – even though his imprisonment was unjust. We can confront civil authorities when they are acting unjust. We need to remind them of their accountability to God. When they came for Jesus in the garden He did not resist. This was a very unjust moment. Peter took action but Jesus told Peter to put his sword away. At any moment Jesus could have called legions but He didn’t. He honored and submitted to the authorities. Remind the people to be subject to the authorities..
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.” 1 Peter 2:13-14 NASB1995
In acts 23 Paul strikes a high priest.
Acts 23:2-5 (NKJV) 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, [you] whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” 4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” 5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
1 Peter 2:13-17 (NKJV) 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and [for the] praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men– 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all [people.] Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Romans 13:1-5 (NKJV) 1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to [execute] wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore [you] must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
God is in control – read Daniel . God will use that evil for your good. Honor and obey governing authorities. You don’t render to them what is due to God. God deserves all worship. We submit to them but we do not worship them.
Exodus 20:12 (NKJV) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Belgic Confession Article 36 – The Magistracy (Civil Government)