Romans 13:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:13 command submission to governing authorities — God instituted them. Why refusing laws you simply dislike is pride masquerading as faithfulness.
There is a rising spirit of self-righteous rebellion that masquerades as standing for truth. Romans 13:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:13 command submission to the authorities God has instituted.
There is a rising spirit of self-righteous rebellion in the church that masquerades as “standing for truth,” but often manifests as defiance against secular authority. Romans 13:1-2 is not a suggestion; it is a divine mandate: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” (Romans 13:1-2 KJV) Similarly, 1 Peter 2:13 commands us to be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake. Yet, many believers are quick to invent reasons to rebel against laws they find inconvenient, annoying, or ideologically disagreeable, convincing themselves that they are being “faithful” by being lawless. People twist the example of the Apostles—who only disobeyed when explicitly commanded to stop preaching the Gospel—to justify their own political or social grievances.
You are not being a modern-day martyr because you refuse to comply with a tax code, a regulation, or a civic requirement that you simply dislike. Unless an authority explicitly commands you to violate the clear, direct commands of Scripture, your refusal to submit is not faithfulness; it is pride. When you treat the state as an enemy to be fought rather than an authority to be submitted to, you undermine your witness and demonstrate a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty. God has placed these authorities; your responsibility is to lead a quiet and peaceable life, not to stir up unnecessary conflict. Stop looking for loopholes to justify your rebellion. If you cannot submit to the authorities God has placed over you, you are not rebelling against men—you are rebelling against the One who appointed them.
1 Peter 2:13 KJV“And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;”
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