The Canadian Reformed Church of Aldergrove

Rebel or Respect?

“I fought the law and the law won” – do you remember that song? It’s about a bank robber who needed money to impress his girl. In the end he got caught by the authorities, landed in jail and lost his girl. The interesting thing about this song is that nowhere does he express remorse for robbing banks. He only expresses frustration that the authorities got the better of him.

I think what made this song popular in its time is its underlying rebel attitude – there’s a little rebel in each of us somewhere. Being under the authority of the government tends to grate on our natural instincts after a while. We tolerate the rule of law as a necessary evil but it leaves us chafing at the bit. Especially when it comes to things like taxes, red-tape, and policing, we can imagine escaping the burden of the law, doing our own thing, living in freedom!

But the Christian attitude is to be something much different. God lays down the basic principle already in the 5^th Commandment, “Honour your father and your mother…”¹ The LORD uses the very first authority we all meet in our lives as an example for how we are to treat all authority: with honour. All authority figures are to be treated with honour and respect. We mustn’t fight the law but we must submit ourselves to the law.

Christians recognize that all authority comes from God. Many people think that governments get their authority from the people of the country. Citizens collectively give power to the government, some say. But the Bible says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”² That includes governments, dignitaries, police officers, teachers, pastors, elders, moms and dads – basically anyone who has charge over others. Authority figures are not necessary evils to tolerate: they are God-given gifts to love and respect. God even gives a warning to check our rebellious nature: “Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”³

Now, on the other hand, Christian obedience to the law of the land is not to be blind either. It is possible that governments make laws which directly contradict God’s own law as He lays it out in Scripture. In such circumstances, forced to choose, Christians are called to choose obedience to God while respectfully declining to obey the ungodly law of man. Daniel’s three friends made this choice at the risk of losing their lives in King Nebuchadnezzar’s fire.⁴ Peter and John, still with respect, disobeyed the commandment of the Jewish leaders in order to obey Christ’s command to preach in His Name.⁵

Some say the Jesus was a rebel. It is true that He challenged the abuses of the ruling leaders of Israel. But even then He recognized their God-given authority⁶ and, though He had many opportunities, never led a revolt against them. Instead, He willingly suffered unjust punishment under their authority rather than rebel. In doing so Jesus submitted to God’s authority and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.⁷

So that’s our basic task in this area today too: submit to authority with respect and honour for in doing so we will be submitting to the LORD. Don’t run down our leaders in conversation but lift them up in prayer to God. Pray that our government may rule in a way that pleases God. Pray too that we may receive the grace to be obedient and respectful citizens of our beloved country.

Biblical quotations on this page are from: 1.) Exodus 20:12; 2.) Romans 13:1; 3.) Romans 13:2; 4.) Daniel 3; 5.) Acts 5:29; 6.) Matthew 23:2,3; 7.) Philippians 2:8
All Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version (NIV)

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Questions and Answers:

1. How shall we liive?
2. Rebel or Respect?
3. Dare to Discipline?
4. Fetus or Baby?
5. Death Penalty?
6. Should Sex be Free ?
7. Same-Sex Marriage?
8. Christian Divorce?
9. Roll the Dice?
10. White Lies?
11. What is Truth?
12. How is Your Heart?

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