Is Submission Always Obedience?
There are certain powerful churches, particularly in Europe, but also in America, which teach that human government is not only of divine origin, but that respect for authority and submission to officialdom means TOTAL OBEDIENCE TO LEADERS and even dictators.
This teaching is absolutely false!
Jesus' words in Matthew 23:2-4 are quoted to support this terrible error. In speaking to the multitude and the disciples, Jesus said: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do . . ." It is at this point that these denominations stop quoting the words of Jesus to give the impression that you must obey everything that a person in authority commands.
But what did Jesus continue to say? "But do NOT ye after their works: for they say, and do not."
There it is. Those Jewish religious leaders taught part of the truth, but they themselves were not obeying the truth. Therefore Jesus had to instruct the people that the religious authority of the scribes and Pharisees must be respected. They were to observe whatever truth was preached, but they were not to follow the error.
In Acts 4:19 you are given the true Bible definition of "submission." The disciples had just been commanded to disobey God. What did they say to the authorities? That obedience to God is more important than obedience to men. Notice, hoverer, that the apostles did not resist them. They submitted to the penalty imposed by their accusers (Acts 5:40).
Thus you have the true relationship that should exist between every Christian and the human government under which he lives. You are to honor and respect authority and submit to every ordinance of man. ONLY when obedience to human rules and regulations would violate the laws of God should you steadfastly decline to obey. But even then you must respectfully submit to the penalty. So said the apostle Peter.
What Peter Commanded
The apostle Peter recognized the importance of Christians' relationships to human government. He had the courage to preach the truth. Here is what he said: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. FOR SO IS THE WILL OF GOD . . . Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king" (l Pet. 2:13-17).
Take careful note of his wording. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance." Peter did not say, "Obey every ordinance." Of course not, He knew that many human regulations are wrong. God expects all Christians to obey human regulation whenever and wherever possible, and always submit to the penalty in case obedience to human law would be sin. We should never rebel or use violence even if we know human governments are making wrong decisions.
Christians are to be examples of submission to government regulations, no matter how childish or absurd some stipulations may be. "Be subject to principalities and powers . . . to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of NO man" (Titus 3:1, 2).
Is It Wrong Even to Speak Evil of Officials?
It is a common practice for people to resist government regulations and to accuse officeholders, whether the President or the corner policeman. This supposed "right" of the people is abominably misused. There is a righteous limit to the "freedom" of speech.
The Bible sets that limit by commanding you to refrain from speaking evil of dignitaries. Solomon said you are not to curse officials even in your thoughts (Ecc. 10:20).
It is reproachful to Christ as well as a dishonor to His authority for Christians to hurl or to repeat needless accusations against rulers. This, of course, does not mean that you can't say anything about a man's mistakes. Rather it means that no gossip or misrepresentation of facts, which damage a person's character or prestige, is to be repeated.
Christians should not fight the government in its own courts as certain deceived religious sects sometimes do. Rather submit, and patiently pray for God to change the circumstances according to His will.
Most Christians ought to pray more earnestly that their minds and hearts would be free from slanderous thoughts, NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE PERSON SEEMS TO DESERVE THEM. The righteous Michael the archangel even refused to accuse Satan. He calmly said, "The Lord rebuke thee." Only the Ungodly dig up evil to throw needlessly at their enemies (Prov. 16:27).
There is also another important point which has often been overlooked. In Romans 15:4, you read that Christians are to "be afraid" of government power, if they have committed evil. Yet Jesus taught us not to fear man, but rather fear God (Luke 12:5). How can you reconcile these verses?
By the fact that Christians arc not actually to be afraid of the men in office, but rather "of the power" which they wield by God's permission. You fear their authority because they are the servants or revengers of God to curb crime. In reality, then, you are only fearing the power of God who gave this authority to rulers.
When you do good, you may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will NOT fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13.6).
Is the Payment of Taxes Necessary?
Now comes an often misunderstood part of this vital message. Should you pay taxes if you are a Christian? If so, why?
Paul said that Christians MUST PAY TAXES, CUSTOM DUTIES AND TRIBUTE to those in authority. Why? "For they are God's ministers," His servants, "attending continually upon this very thing." It is their job, their work to regulate society and to punish crime. Government costs money. Officials are worthy of their hire.
Because of covetousness, especially when income tax or land tax bills appear, some seize upon the words of Jesus in Matthew 17:24-27 as an excuse for failure to pay taxes. Notice what Jesus really said: Christians, being free and heirs of the Kingdom of God, should not be required to pay tribute to a foreign government, "notwithstanding, lest we should offend them . . . give unto them" the tax.
Yes, Christ commands you, just as Paul did, to pay taxes. And you should not pay them grudgingly, either. It is the right of leaders to receive remuneration for their duty. But what if officials are not performing their duty properly or are squandering tax money for private ambitions? Are you still to pay taxes?
Certainly. You are not the one to judge whether he is worthy of his hire. As long as any person is in office, you are to honor that office by submitting to it. It is so easy to forget that human beings are not the judges of one another — that God is the Judge. Officials are not responsible to the people but to God. Your responsibility ceases once you have honestly paid the tax or the duty. It is the official's responsibility to see that he properly administers the money.
Although this is the day of exorbitantly high government costs and subsequent high taxation, you should never fear that God may fail to provide the amount necessary to conform to state, Federal or local laws. Jesus provided Peter with the extra tribute money beyond the normal increase (Matt.17: 24-27).
Prayer for Officials
In the days of the Roman Empire, when Jesus was training hid disciples, it was the custom of the government to compel people to carry mail and goods belonging to the Empire. Jesus referred to this forced practice when he said, "Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" (Matthew 5:41). Notice that Jesus taught submission, not resistance.
Today the government does not compel its citizens to bear this responsibility.
How thankful are you for this fact? It is so easy to forget the benefits of an ordered society — the postal service, and the various agencies of protection, to name a few. It is so easy to neglect Paul's admonition that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men: for kings, and FOR ALL THAT ARE IN AUTHORITY; that we may lead a life in godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior (I Timothy 2:1-3).
God has established earthly governments to keep order until His Kingdom comes. It is your commanded duty to submit to their authority patiently, excusing the obvious faults inherent in human leadership. No Herman government can be perfect. It may even be required of you by God to suffer unjustly when you have to obey God rather than man. But you must submit to that penalty. All human history is a record of the tragedy of human governments, which God is about to replace by sending Jesus Christ to establish the Kingdom of God and bring us peace and security.