In this world where disobedience to laws seems commonplace, we who are called by God must recognize the importance of obedience to the governments under which He places us. God establishes government on a broad scale for order and for man's benefit, teaching us the vital lesson of obedience to the authority set over us, except when it conflicts with His laws. Jesus Christ Himself, when questioned about submission to a corrupt ruler, affirmed that what was due to the authority through taxes should be paid, demonstrating that even under unworthy leaders, respect for the office is required. Similarly, the apostles under the non-God government of Rome showed no resistance to leadership but gave Caesar what was due him, with Jesus being law-abiding and paying His taxes. God ordains all civil magistrates by His providence, and we are not to resist what He has appointed. Those in authority generally punish unlawful behavior, not good conduct, and violating laws exposes one to judgment by the laws of the land and, if the lesson is not learned, correction by God. We are to be subject to civil rulers as a matter of high obligation and duty to God, who expects us to come under the authority over us because He has made it necessary and proper. As good citizens, we yield in obedience because it is His will, representing right living by paying taxes, obeying laws, and showing respect to the office, even if not to the individual. When governmental laws conflict with God's laws, we have examples like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who gave due respect to the Babylonian king in all circumstances except when demands contradicted God's laws. In such cases, they stood firm for God's laws, willing to accept any punishment from the civil government. God has set up government to bring order to mankind, providing each of us the opportunity to learn the lesson of coming under authority and, at times, administering it. Proper obedience to government produces harmony, unity, safety, order, peace, and the character of obedience that God desires for us. Despite the pervasive attitude of rebellion influenced by satan, the prince of the power of the air, we must remain conscious of the need to respect true authority. We are to develop the attitude and character that God values, striving to obey the laws of the land, even when others disregard them.

In these challenging times, as we witness a profound shift in the governmental structures of the United States, we are called to respect the authorities placed over us. Despite the evident erosion of liberties and the subtle, yet persistent, revolutionary changes in government, religion, economics, and education over the past century, our response must be one of disciplined contrast to the prevailing disobedient spirit. We are to live with these circumstances, exemplifying God's way in our conduct, even as we see parallels to historical rejections of divine governance, such as with Israel under Samuel, where the people surrendered their liberties to a human king. All governing authority, whether personal, civil, or church, flows from the Father, and those in power are answerable to Him. Governments of nations, including the United States, Britain, Canada, and others, receive their authority from the God we worship. As such, we are expected to voluntarily govern ourselves to give respect, taxes, customs, fear, and honor to those in authority, out of reverence for God who appointed them. This respect is not because these entities are the government of God, but because they act as His agents, set up and taken down at His discretion. History reveals that controlling administrations never endure, often ending in violent rebellion. In contrast, God's approach to governance is through persuasion and truth, allowing individuals the space to make up their minds. As we observe the nation moving toward a nanny-state environment, where the state is increasingly viewed as the provider, we must hold fast to our relationship with God, recognizing that true salvation lies not in government, but in Him.

Under the New Covenant individuals are to be subject to the civil governments of men. Their authority according to Romans 13 derives directly from God. Being subject to them is being obedient to God. Individuals are to be subject to every ordinance of man because they are the servants of God and they are to do it for the Lord's sake. The carnal mind is enmity against God who is the ultimate source of government. The civil governments of men derive their authority from God. There is an almost overwhelming unwillingness to live within the limits imposed by the governor. This unwillingness is transposed against the civil government. God expects individuals to learn to govern themselves. God holds individuals responsible to prove all things and to hold fast to that which is good. God's government can tell individuals to do wrong things. The responsibility to make the decision falls on the individual. Individuals are to obey a higher power. Individuals are to submit to decrees even when they take life. Individuals are to draw a line and go so far and no further because God comes first. Individuals must recognize that the responsibility lies with them. Individuals must be prepared. Individuals who keep close to God can count on discernment to perceive what does not seem right. God will intervene to spare them. Individuals must answer to Christ.

Governmental problems arise primarily from two failures: an unwillingness to live within the limits established by those in authority and a refusal to seize opportunities to do good for others. Instead of remaining self-centered, individuals are called to extend themselves through acts of generosity, kindness, mercy, and even correction when performed in the right spirit. Righteousness encompasses both the negative restraint of the commandments and a positive sensitivity to opportunities for service and sacrifice. Each person bears direct responsibility to God with no intervening spiritual hierarchy, granting the same access to the Father that Jesus Christ enjoyed. Submission to human authorities—whether civil, religious, parental, or otherwise—must therefore flow from respect for God rather than from the authorities themselves. When human commands conflict with divine law, obedience belongs to God, as demonstrated by Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Peter, and Michael the archangel. Even when leaders abuse power or issue oppressive directives, the governed remain subject insofar as the commands align with God's Word, yet they never exceed the limits God has set. Leaders themselves must first prove governable by living within those same limits and remaining faithful in small matters. David exemplified this quality by refusing to harm Saul despite repeated opportunities, choosing instead to submit to God's timing and Word. Jesus Christ modeled the same pattern by relinquishing control, refusing to call legions of angels, and enduring reviling without retaliation. Such governability produces righteousness that benefits the governed, fostering peace and justice rather than oppression or neglect. God's government functions only when every individual, leader and led alike, consciously chooses submission, denies self, and performs the duties of a servant. This deliberate, faith-based decision to surrender control enables cooperation, prevents the destructive competition of rival wills, and qualifies the faithful for greater responsibility in the Kingdom.

Under the New Covenant the gospel of the Kingdom of God produces a spiritual transformation in those who respond to it, raising them up in Christ and seating them in heavenly places so that their citizenship and primary allegiance belong to a realm not of this world. Because power belongs to God, He appoints the governing authorities that exist and delegates to them a measure of responsibility for maintaining civil order. Christians are therefore instructed to be subject to those authorities, to obey their ordinances, to honor the king and all who are in authority, and to submit for the Lord's sake as well as for conscience. Such submission recognizes that rulers function as God's ministers to punish evildoers and to praise those who do good, thereby preserving the peace necessary for the gospel to be preached and for people to be saved. Prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings are to be offered for kings and all in authority so that believers may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness. When a civil law directly contradicts God's command, the believer must obey God rather than men yet still submit to the penalty imposed by the state, thereby rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's while remaining subject to God. This pattern of respectful submission, grounded in the recognition that all authority originates with God, forms an essential part of the ongoing transformation into the image of Christ and demonstrates that the Christian's relationship to civil government is now mediated through a spiritual covenant rather than through the blended civil-religious system of the former covenant.