“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.” – Romans 13:2-3
Even when governments are imperfect—or deeply flawed—God uses them to maintain order in a broken world. Without authority, society collapses into chaos. So when we rebel against the structure God has put in place, we are ultimately resisting His sovereignty. Yet Scripture also gives us a vital boundary: our highest allegiance is to Christ. When earthly authority commands what God forbids, we follow the example of Daniel, who continued to pray despite the king’s decree, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s image. Their obedience to God led them into danger, but they stood firm with humble courage.
When obedience to God brings us into conflict with human authority, our posture matters. We are not called to revolt, rage, or retaliate. Instead, we bear the consequences with grace, trusting God to vindicate us. Martin Luther King Jr. modeled this beautifully through nonviolent resistance—standing against injustice without hatred, violence, or rebellion. Paul’s point becomes clear when we think of everyday life. Imagine driving down the highway: if you’re obeying the speed limit, flashing lights behind you don’t cause fear. But if you’ve been speeding, panic rises. In the same way, when we live honorably—paying taxes, respecting laws, showing integrity at work—we have no reason to fear authority. Like the well‑behaved student who earns the teacher’s praise, those who do what is right gain the respect of those in charge.
This doesn’t mean authority is always just or that we will never face unfair treatment. But as followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His character in how we respond. Obedience, respect, and responsibility are not merely civic duties—they are acts of worship that shine God’s light in a dark world. Under no circumstances are we called to take up arms or incite rebellion. Governments may fail, systems may break, and leaders may disappoint—but God never does. He remains the King above all kings, and His kingdom is unshakable.
Live as a person of integrity—obeying laws, honoring leaders, and doing what is right even when no one is watching. Pray for those in authority, asking God to guide them with wisdom. When obedience to Christ puts you at odds with earthly authority, stand firm with humility, not rebellion. And in all things, trust that God’s sovereignty rules above every human system, working out His purposes through your faithful obedience.
“To obey our governors in lawful things is to obey God; and to resist them is to resist God.”—Richard Baxter
surrendered devotions 