1 Peter 2:13-15
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
The purposes of government is listed in this passage. It’s for “the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.” This is referring to the police/military as well as the making of laws which encourage right behavior.
We may not agree with every law and every government. All governments get it wrong in some areas. Some more than others. Peter was writing this letter under the Roman government. They did much which wasn’t good. However, the general idea was to produce order, so people can live in peace.
Today’s passage tells us to submit to government. We are to be law abiding citizens. If we disagree with a law, there are systems by which we can seek to change it. Until it’s changed, we are to abide by the law.
Jesus supported the concept of obeying government in Mark 12:17. “Give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar’s and to God what is God’s”. The issue in question was paying taxes. This was not popular with the people, as they despised Rome and were seeking to get out from under it’s rule.
The only time we are to disobey a law is when it is contrary to scripture. Interestingly enough, Peter answers this in Act’s 5:29. They were told not to preach in the name of Jesus by the rulers. It’s as if they were enacting a law. “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
This should be seen as rare. A clever person could twist scripture to justify the disobedience of any law. This person will lose that battle.
Lord, thank You for good government. Help us to support that and to comply even when it’s not good. Give us the courage and wisdom to disobey it, when it’s contrary to You.