Be Subject to the Governing Authorities

Be subject to Governing Authorities
Read Romans 13
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. 
 Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; 
for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath 
on him who practices evil.
                          Romans 13:1-4
The Bible recognizes there are two kinds of law. God’s law and man’s law and when the two conflict, we are always to follow God, that is a given. The question becomes when do we make the distinction.
I think it’s very simple, we are to obey the laws of the country we live in, provided it does not forbid or restrict our beliefs, or impose on us something contrary to what we believe as Christians.
Jesus tells us to pay taxes Matthew 22:21, I think, that can be safely extended to obeying the transportation laws, city by-laws  and other civil laws.
There is even an argument to be made here, that we are to respect even the gay marriage law, here in Canada.
The proviso being that the civil government and civil courts not force any minister or church congregation to marry homosexuals, if they believe it is wrong.
Such a move would, at least I feel, under most western governments, be a violation of freedom of religion.
Read carefully what Paul stated at the beginning of Romans 13:
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities....  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”
It has been said, we in the western world live in a high tech Roman society.  A multicultural society that allows diversity of thought and freedom. The result of this, is that provided we live at peace with the civil authorities and those around us, we can have open and free discussions. Paul knew this.
Remember when Paul spoke at the Areopagus in Athens it was the Stoic and other philosophers that invited him, not Christians or Jews.
Paul had been presenting the Gospel in a non-threatening way. He respected what the Athenians  believed even though it could safely be said, he didn’t believe what they believed.
He showed respect to them and presented the Gospel to them. Giving them the choice to accept or reject, it was that simple. This is the way we must do it, today.
I firmly believe it is wrong to judge people, or to object to laws instituted by the civil authorities, that are not restricting or imposing things on what I believe as a Christian. To quote Paul:
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.” Romans 13:3
Post Script
Paul and the early Christians did their best to live at harmony with all men and they were for the most part not persecuted by the civil authorities. However there have been leaders and governments throughout history that were simply evil. Nero for one stands out.
Around the world today there are governments that are evil. They wield absolute power crushing anything that even slightly disagrees with them.  Pol Pot (Saloth Sar) in Cambodia in the mid twentieth century are examples within living memories. And there are other governments even today that will not tolerate Christians.
Still the church cannot and will not be silenced. If it must go underground or be cautious in what it says. So be it. The church has outlived all who has ever come against it.
Such governments and men who would come against the church should consider the words of the Pharisee named Gamaliel. Who standing up in the Sanhedrin when they were about to judge Peter and the other apostles said,
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 
        Acts 5:34-39
What more can I say Gamaliel was right. The church is of God. All the efforts of man to stop it have failed. And ultimately those who have apposed have or will one day stand before God as their judge.