Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to the governors sent by him… (1 Peter 2:13-14a)
My study Bible says this: “It is impossible for a believer to be a good Christian and a bad citizen at the same time.” As a believer, my responsibility is:
- To recognize and accept that the powers that be are ordained by God (Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1). Unless the law is anti-scriptural [and I believe that means more than me just being opposed to a law], this truth applies (Acts 4:18-20).
- To pay my taxes to the human government (Matthew 17:24-27 and 22:21; Romans 13:7).
- To pray for the leaders in human government (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Paul exhorts me to pray for those who are in authority that I may lead a quiet life.
It seems to me that if I truly want peace on earth, at this season of the year or any other, that there should be a worn spot on my carpet from being on my knees in prayer for those in authority. Shame on me that there isn’t.
