Be Subject to Higher Powers

13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Many of us think we can just do as we please because we only have to answer to GOD. This is not true at all. According to God's word we are to obey those over us and to abide by their rules.

How many times have we used the excuse, I am doing GOD'S will so I don't have to obey the laws of the land. That is not only wrong but it is a sin and in Romans 13:2, it says if you resist the power you resist the ordinance of GOD, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Those are very strong words brothers and sisters.

Now let us look at one part of this picture. There is a time when one must disobey an law or order. That time is when the law contradicts God's law. If we are ordered to stop praying, we don't stop praying. If we are ordered to stop sharing our faith, we don't stop sharing our faith. These are very obvious contradictions to the word of GOD and must not be obeyed.

However we must obey traffic rules such as speed limits, traffic signs, and have a valid drivers license. We also must obey all the laws of the land that do not contradict God's word.

This country was based on bible principles and majority of the laws are from the word of God such as you shall not kill or steal.

The bottom line is when we deliberately disobey the laws of the land that are not contrary to God's word, we are disobeying God. When we are caught we pay the consequences for our actions, such as jail and or fines.

The thing is God knows everything you do and think. So even if you get away with something in this life, rest assured you will pay the price for it in the next life when you stand before your maker.