A Biblical view on one's responsibility to government

In Romans chapter 13, God establishes the governing authorities. If we rebel and are not law abiding citizens we are actually rebelling against God Himself. The scripture also says that we will be held accountable and if we choose to disobey the law of the land, there may be consequences that we must suffer. In verse 4 I take that scripture as God using the government to bring His judgment upon those who disobey him. The government is also used to exercise God’s wrath. There are two reasons given to obey, (1) because we may be punished and, (2) because of our conscience. In Jesus’ time the poll tax of one denarius was the most hated tax of all because it suggested that the Romans owned the people of Israel. By looking at what Jesus said in Matthew in context, we see that Christ was asked if the Jews should pay these taxes. It was a trick question; if he answered yes then the people of Israel would not follow him anymore, he would not be a friend to the people of Israel. If he said no, he would’ve been arrested for treason. I like what MacArthur says about this,

“Caesar’s image is stamped on the coin; God’s image is stamped on the person.”

The book of Acts also deals with this issue of the tax, teaching when to obey, and when not to obey civil authority. We find in the book of Acts there is one reason that we are not only responsible, but obligated to disobey the commands of the governing authorities. That would be in situations where we find ourselves in opposition with God’s law. This is the only time we are called to be disobedient. I believe it was the responsibility and the obligation of the apostles to be civilly disobedient when ordered to no longer speak the name Jesus or testify to the truth of the Gospel. Today, according to the scriptures, we are to look at our leaders as divinely chosen by God, therefore we must be in submission to our governing authorities unless what they are asking us is against God’s commandments. When and if that happens we also must be ready and willing to suffer the consequences for our disobedience. That is why we are to follow our conscience; it will reveal what God wants.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005.
Moo, Douglas J. Encountering The Book of Romans. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002.
Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. Grand Rapids: Baker Acaddemic, 1998.