Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Every soul must be subject to the higher powers and to civil authority, not only to avoid wrath and punishment but also for conscience sake. This subjection is required because civil power is ordained of God, there is no power but of God and the powers that be are ordained of God, so that to resist brings damnation and condemnation. Rulers are ministers of God for good to those who do good, not a terror to good works but to evil, and revengers to execute wrath upon those who do evil.
Subjection is shown by doing good and being ready to every good work, and by paying tribute and rendering tribute, custom, fear, and honor where due, because rulers attend continually upon this very office. Obedience to human government is a sacred duty within its legitimate sphere, as human government is an ordinance of divine appointment to be taught and kept for conscience sake. That obedience is required only so long as it does not conflict with duty to God and the law of God, for people are to conform in all things to the laws of their state when they can do so without conflicting with the law of God. The word of God is supreme above all human legislation, the authority of Christ is above earthly rulers, and a Thus saith the Lord is never to be set aside for a Thus saith the church or a Thus saith the state, since the crown of Christ is above the diadems of earthly potentates.
When the claims of government conflict with the claims of God, God must be obeyed rather than men. In that last conflict truth and religious liberty must be firmly maintained by going forward in the name of Christ to advocate the truths committed to trust even when forbidden by men. Believers even then must not defy authorities, but must carefully weigh and consider spoken and written words lest they appear antagonistic to law and order or needlessly and unnecessarily close the way for gospel work.
Even when the days come in which the law of God is made void, the zeal of the true and loyal must rise with the emergency and become more warm and decided, and their testimony more positive and unflinching. Yet then they are to do nothing in a defiant spirit, but with hearts fully surrendered to God, with the eye of faith fixed steadfastly upon Jesus and following His example who did as the Father gave Him commandment and in all things worked out His Father's will. The same principle of subjection for conscience sake and not only to avoid punishment applies to those God has placed in positions of trust in institutions, including managers and department leaders who maintain order and discipline, because principles of respect for authority lie at the very foundation of loyalty to truth, to fellow beings, and to God. Youth must therefore submit to discipline rather than insist on having their own way in differences with superiors, and parents must not blindly sustain and sympathize with disobedient children but go directly to those in authority to learn the truth, show confidence in their judgment, and teach children to respect and honor them.
To obey rulers is not to serve evil. To reject all civil control in the name of divine inspiration or of serving God leads to rebellion, violence, disorder, sedition, and bloodshed.
Every soul must be subject to the higher powers and to civil authority, not only to avoid wrath and punishment but also for conscience sake. This subjection is required because civil power is ordained of God, there is no power but of God and the powers that be are ordained of God, so that to resist brings damnation and condemnation. Rulers are ministers of God for good to those who do good, not a terror to good works but to evil, and revengers to execute wrath upon those who do evil.
Subjection is shown by doing good and being ready to every good work, and by paying tribute and rendering tribute, custom, fear, and honor where due, because rulers attend continually upon this very office. Obedience to human government is a sacred duty within its legitimate sphere, as human government is an ordinance of divine appointment to be taught and kept for conscience sake. That obedience is required only so long as it does not conflict with duty to God and the law of God, for people are to conform in all things to the laws of their state when they can do so without conflicting with the law of God. The word of God is supreme above all human legislation, the authority of Christ is above earthly rulers, and a Thus saith the Lord is never to be set aside for a Thus saith the church or a Thus saith the state, since the crown of Christ is above the diadems of earthly potentates.
When the claims of government conflict with the claims of God, God must be obeyed rather than men. In that last conflict truth and religious liberty must be firmly maintained by going forward in the name of Christ to advocate the truths committed to trust even when forbidden by men. Believers even then must not defy authorities, but must carefully weigh and consider spoken and written words lest they appear antagonistic to law and order or needlessly and unnecessarily close the way for gospel work.
Even when the days come in which the law of God is made void, the zeal of the true and loyal must rise with the emergency and become more warm and decided, and their testimony more positive and unflinching. Yet then they are to do nothing in a defiant spirit, but with hearts fully surrendered to God, with the eye of faith fixed steadfastly upon Jesus and following His example who did as the Father gave Him commandment and in all things worked out His Father's will. The same principle of subjection for conscience sake and not only to avoid punishment applies to those God has placed in positions of trust in institutions, including managers and department leaders who maintain order and discipline, because principles of respect for authority lie at the very foundation of loyalty to truth, to fellow beings, and to God. Youth must therefore submit to discipline rather than insist on having their own way in differences with superiors, and parents must not blindly sustain and sympathize with disobedient children but go directly to those in authority to learn the truth, show confidence in their judgment, and teach children to respect and honor them.
To obey rulers is not to serve evil. To reject all civil control in the name of divine inspiration or of serving God leads to rebellion, violence, disorder, sedition, and bloodshed.