Some people propose that Christians should follow whatever rules, mandates, or guidelines are issued by their current government, and that, somehow, to do this is our Christian duty. But should we assume that the agents of a secular government would always act for the good of the people, and not be guided by their agendas, motivations, and immediate political objectives?
The state is bipolar; it is a creature of good and evil. God uses it to advance His providences, and the devil, as much as he is able to, uses it to instantiate his kingdom.
God is engaged in bringing light, knowledge, and insight to the sentient beings of the universe. His purpose is advanced as the creatures experience this live demonstration of the principles of selflessness and of selfishness. And yet, God does nothing in partnership with evil. Much that occurs in the world occurs by permission, and not by His endorsement.
Devils have an agenda, too. Their purpose is to undermine and misrepresent God’s government. They are chaotic beings. They have separated themselves from God, and become intentional rebels. They have no strength or help from outside themselves. They are slaves to their own impulses. They often engage in evil acts which bring results counter to their disinformation agenda.
The Bible is filled with examples. In Genesis,when Satan tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, God made man’s fall the occasion to promise His intervention by sending Christ (Genesis 3:15). In the book of Acts, Satan leads Herod to incarcerate Peter. But God stages a breakout, and gives Peter a special preaching assignment (Acts 12).
The gospels bristle with conflicts between Jesus and His adversaries. Again and again demon influenced or possessed agents of Satan interrupt Jesus’ teaching, only to be cast out, or for the interaction to become the occasion for a miraculous deliverance. Each case is one in which divine and demonic calculation meet in move and countermove. Often the demons are bested, but other times people exercise their free choice and choose self-indulgence rather than discipleship.
Herod slaughtered innocent children in his attempt to destroy the baby Jesus (Matthew 2). We can be certain this was a manifestation of the satanic will, not the divine. God was deeply saddened by the terrible losses experienced by the mothers and fathers whose children were murdered. Likewise, when Pilate surrendered to the mob, approving Jesus’ murder although Pilate himself had pronounced Jesus innocent (Luke 23:14; John 18:38; 19:6), we may be sure God did not approve. True, the sacrifice of Jesus advanced God’s plan to deliver His people, but for Pilate and the mob it was still murder. Pilate’s punishment will not be ameliorated by this fact.
God uses human governments to suppress immorality (Romans 13:3), and Satan uses human governments to advance immorality. And so, human governments are spiritually bipolar. They are whimsical beasts, only as moral as the human agents who administer them.
Classically, fascism is the union of private industry with state power. It is a cooperation between those circles of action. If the agents of each circle calculate that the interaction can advance their agendas of power and profit, they work together. Today, these mutually exploitative relations are as rampant as ever. Every such relation is an occasion where the citizenry can be exploited.
In a perfect world, the agents of government would be paragons of wisdom and goodness, acting strictly for the good of the people governed. But this is not a perfect world.
Corporations make enormous profits charging exorbitant sums to the government for services. One recent example is the $10,000 C-5 airplane toilet seat cover. Military contractors are infamous for $100 hammers and $285 screw drivers. Companies that make munitions and military vehicles profit when there is a war, just as companies which make vaccines profit when a pandemic is declared.
We shouldn’t avoid wearing seatbelts because the government requires them. We should regard them as helpful, not because of a legal pronouncement but because clear evidence suggests they are.
God gave us minds, and expects us to use them. We shall be accountable for our use of the gift of rationality He has given us.
Here in Michigan, 2020 saw the governor issue almost 200 executive orders, many of these directives far exceeding the powers delegated to her. On October 12, 2020, the Michigan State Supreme Court ruled she had exceeded her authority, that her orders were unconstitutional, and void. Since that ruling she has reissued many of the same commands through the state department of health. Doubtless, there will be further legal resolution. Rulers do not necessarily act with supernatural wisdom or authority. Nor are all their edicts as beneficial to the population as advertised. And here is a question: is there virtue in Christian obedience to illegal orders? Or, what about obedience to immoral orders?
This is truth: “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3). God’s people are often found disregarding the directives of local authorities of human government.
You Want Examples?
Glad you asked.
The kings of five nations kidnapped members of Abram’s family. He armed more than 300 men and led a raid that freed them (Genesis 14). Lot defied local authorities in giving hospitality to strangers (Genesis 19). In Exodus one the Hebrew midwives disobeyed government directives. And there are more cases in the New Testament.
God does use human governments to restrain evil. But the matter is more finely-grained than we prefer. Government is used by the prince Jesus, and, by the prince of the power of the air. Bible history shows that God’s children do not give unreflective obedience to every command issued by human rulers.
Today, we live in a period when entire populations have been conditioned to do what human authority tells them to. We should be careful about responding with unreflective obedience, especially as we call to mind the warning lessons of Daniel 3, 6, Acts 4, 5, and Revelation 12, 13. A part of our duty to the world is to give intelligent obedience, and not to train ourselves to obey human directives which can endanger our obedience to Jesus.
What we should give, whenever we give it, is action processed via Scripture. Many times we'll obey straight away. Sometimes we cannot in conscience do so. We need to give reflective obedience when we give it, and we should offer reflective disobedience when we cannot obey.
There is more involved in this question, and I hope to share insights on Romans 13 and other Scripture passages in the future.
God bless!
Larry Kirkpatrick serves as pastor of the Muskegon and Fremont MI Seventh-day Adventist churches. Engaged in pastoral ministry since 1994, he has been a featured speaker in several countries and venues. He has operated the GreatControversy.org website since 1999, and is the author of the books Real Grace for Real People, and, Cleanse and Close, Last Generation Theology in 14 Points . Since 1997 he has published numerous sermons, articles, and videos.
YouTube Channel: Larry the guy from Michigan