Romans 13:1-7 teaches us that God appoints authorities.
This passage, however, has been misused and abused by many who are greedy for power and authority.
In this article we'll try to see if human governments should always be considered "God's ministers," as stated in the passage.
Submission to Government
Romans 13:1-7 tells us,
"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. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor."
With these words, the apostle Paul told Christians in Rome to be subject to the ruling authorities above them. They were to abide by the law and submit themselves to the government governing them.
Without delving into how and why God appoints leaders and governments, we will do well to understand that God institutes authority. Consider Jesus' exchange with Pilate in John 19:10-11,
"Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.""
The question, however, is: are human authorities always in line with God's will?
The shortest, most accurate and quickest answer to that would be "NO."
Why is that?
Friends, human governments do not always obey God's word. They may be in position, but if what they command us to do what is contrary to God's commands, we ought to choose to obey God rather than men.
Keep in mind that Jesus Himself recognized authority. In one of His teachings, however, we find Him teaching something all of us ought to obey:
To obey God all the time, especially when faced with a decision to choose between God and men.
"The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do." (see Matthew 23:2-3)
See, the Lord Jesus Himself recognized the authority that Pharisees have among men, but He is teaching all of us to obey God's word far above any human authority.
The same goes for any human government in any place and nation.
While we ought to obey the law and abide by the rules as God's people, we must never obey man more than we obey God's word.
We must never compromise our submission to the Lordship of Christ for the sake of following human authority.
God's authority always takes precedence over human authority, and we must remember that.
"We ought to obey God rather than men." (see Acts 5:29)
