I for one am very happy to live in a free country like America, where our democratic form of government brings so many wonderful liberties. In the past I often wondered what God would want citizens of repressive governments to do as far as obedience to their repressive policies. The more I studied the Scriptures the more it became clear that we are to obey the laws of all governments whether we like them or not; except when obeying the laws would be in direct conflict to a law of God.
This is a very comforting thought, I believe, for people who live in repressive societies because when they realize that all human governments come about by divine appointment they can know that despite difficult circumstances God has allowed them to come about. Too often I think that we are under the wrong impression that life should always be easy and fair. But life is not always fair but God is.
If God allows a communist government to be in charge then we need to obey its laws because I believe when we obey we bring glory to the Lord through our obedience. And we can, as I mentioned previously, disobey the government if they ask us to do something that clearly would be in direct conflict to a commandment of God. Yes, this may mean we can suffer, be imprisoned, and even be put to death, but by obeying God we bring him great glory in these situations. And remember what it says in (Hebrews 11:34, 37): that some “escaped the edge of the sword,” while others, “were put to death with the sword.” Some Christians are called to a martyr’s death – are we willing to obey God knowing that suffering may be our lot in life?
It is so important to remember that, “…He removes kings and raises up kings…” (Daniel 2:21). And don’t forget when Jesus was talking to Pilate and Pilate said that he had the power to either crucify Him or release Him that Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above…” (John 19:11).
I don’t know about you but I am so glad that even if I were to live in a communist country that I could have great joy by obeying that form of government because I have learned that true joy is a byproduct of obedience to God. I can’t say that I would be happy living in that type of a situation but happiness is not joy. Happiness depends on circumstances but joy depends on obedience to God. Finally, it is not for me to question God’s sovereignty and why He does what He does. My role as a Christian is to obey God and this includes the form of government he has allowed me to be placed under. If I do, I will get joy and peace, and the great satisfaction of knowing, that by obeying, I bring glory to the Lord!
Sooooo. As per yesterday’s blog regarding abortion, you are stating now, that since God has allowed this government to “ legalize” abortion we need support it? If not because it violates God’s will, then since aborted baby parts were used in the producing of the “ mandated” vaccine, then that mandate by the government must too be obeyed? This type of reasoning might be used in hundreds if not thousands of situations.
Since my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, anything government mandated or not, is subjected to His guiding. History is replete with peoples following whatever governments told them to do until it was too late and repentance was no longer an option. ( Hitler, Stalin) et al.
The soon coming Socialistic, Communistic government coming to a country near you will be attributed to the unGodly acquiescence of their “ Godly” self righteous citizens. Enjoy!!