KEY VERSE:
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (ROMANS 13:1).

Emperor Nero was one of the most wicked Roman rulers at the time of the early Church. He was so cruel he had his mother and wife executed and was most notorious for blaming a tragic fire that decimated Rome on the Christians, resulting in thousands of believers dying through harsh persecutions. Yet, to this man and his government, Paul issued the command for allegiance and patriotism. That command is still as timeless as it is universal for believers in every clime, culture or country.

Believers are to obey the civil authorities, regardless of our perception of how they emerged or function, in as much as they are not asking that we disobey God’s commands. This expected voluntary submission to secular authorities is because “…the powers that be (the existence, authority, position, offices, etc., of government) are ordained of (permitted or established by) God”. Besides, government officials are sent by God. They execute justice for God and are playing their part under His sovereign administration (Daniel 4:32).

This is why Christians are expected to be patriotic and law-abiding citizens. All forms of civil disobedience, participation in rebellion, social unrest, acts of militancy, etc., will be tantamount to resisting the institution of God. They are not consistent with the expected lifestyle of true Christians.

The command to be patriotic has nothing to do with the government of the day and everything to do with the spiritual condition of the believer. We are to render to all their dues by paying correct taxes, utility bills, etc., without cheating. However, where the laws of civil government conflict with the word of God, we should be able to say, we ought to obey God rather than men.

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