Proper View of Civil Leaders

Proper view of Civil leaders – Rom 13:1-2

Vs 1 – Paul says that every Christian must submit to ruler authorities.  It may be national, provincial or municipal.  Each has been raised up by the Lord.  The only time a Christian must disobey is when the civil authority asks them to do something contrary to the Bible or conscience.

Vs 2 – When someone rebels against rightful civil authority they are rebelling against God Himself and they will bring both natural and divine judgement.  Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar and unto God the things that are God’s.”  One time a Christian was caught in a dilemma.  His government was demanding that all Christian literature to be burned.  He knew he had to hide his literature yet it was also tax time.  So on one hand He was disobeying the government and yet when it came to pay his taxes he paid them.