Michlaude Discipleship Project

Part 2: What Jesus Commands

Category D: Government & Authority

These are not political theories from a first-century rabbi. These are divine commands from God about how you relate to human government.

Key distinction: All human authority is derivative. God's authority is ultimate.

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God's appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God."

— Romans 13:1 (NET)

Authority exists because God instituted it. It's borrowed authority. God can revoke it. When Caesar conflicts with God, God wins. This isn't anarchism. It's recognizing the hierarchy.

1. Render to Caesar

"Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

— Matthew 22:21 (NET)

Two kingdoms operate simultaneously: Caesar's (temporal) and God's (eternal).

Caesar gets:

  • Taxes (Romans 13:6–7)
  • Respect for the office (not necessarily the person — 1 Peter 2:17)
  • Obedience in his legitimate sphere (Romans 13:1–5)

God gets:

  • Ultimate allegiance
  • Worship (Matthew 4:10)
  • Obedience when Caesar conflicts with God (Acts 5:29)

Jesus — God incarnate — is establishing the legitimate scope of human government:

Caesar CAN:

  • Tax
  • Command civic obedience
  • Demand respect
  • Punish evildoers (Romans 13:4)

Caesar CANNOT:

  • Command worship (only God receives worship)
  • Redefine truth (truth is objective, grounded in God)
  • Override God's moral law (when he tries, you obey God — Acts 5:29)

Application: Pay your taxes. Obey laws. Respect leaders. But when government commands sin or forbids obedience to God, obey God first.

2. Submit to Governing Authorities

Romans 13:1–7 (Paul expounding Jesus' teaching):

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God's appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God."

— Romans 13:1 (NET)

Context: Paul wrote this under Nero — an emperor who fed Christians to lions.

God is sovereign over who rules:

"He changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others."

— Daniel 2:21 (NET)

Even evil leaders are under God's control:

  • Pharaoh (Exodus 9:16)
  • Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:17)
  • Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1)
  • Pilate (John 19:11 — "You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from above")
  • Nero (the emperor when Paul wrote Romans 13)

Why submit?

  1. God commands it (Romans 13:5)
  2. For social order (Romans 13:3–4 — government restrains evil)
  3. For witness (1 Peter 2:15 — "by doing right you will silence the ignorance of foolish people")

How to apply:

Submit by obeying laws, respecting leaders (even when you disagree with them), praying for them (1 Timothy 2:1–2), and voting biblically (when applicable).

Disobey when:

  • Government commands sin (worship a false god, participate in abortion, affirm lies like "men can be women")
  • Government forbids obedience to God (forbids prayer, evangelism, worship)

3. Obey God Rather Than Men

"We must obey God rather than people!"

— Acts 5:29 (NET)

Context: The apostles were arrested and commanded to stop preaching about Jesus. They refused.

When to disobey government:

1. When government commands sin:

  • Worship a false god (Daniel 3 — Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego)
  • Stop preaching the gospel (Acts 5)
  • Participate in abortion
  • Affirm lies ("men can be women")

2. When government forbids obedience to God:

  • Forbids prayer (Daniel 6)
  • Forbids evangelism (Acts 4–5)
  • Forbids worship

When Caesar says "stop preaching" and God says "make disciples," obey God.

How to disobey well:

  • Respectfully (you're still under God's command to honor authority — 1 Peter 2:17)
  • Peacefully (no violence)
  • Willingly accept consequences (Acts 5:40–41 — they were beaten and rejoiced)

Application: Is your government commanding you to sin or forbidding obedience to God? Disobey. But do it respectfully and be willing to suffer for it.

4. Honor the Emperor, Fear God

"Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether to a king as supreme or to governors…Fear God. Honor the king."

— 1 Peter 2:13–14, 17 (NET)

Notice the order:

  1. Fear God (ultimate allegiance)
  2. Honor the emperor (respect the office)

Not the reverse.

"Fear God" = reverence, awe, worship, ultimate submission (God alone) "Honor the emperor" = respect the office, obey in the civil sphere, don't slander

You don't compromise biblical truth to appease government. You don't make politics your religion.

But you also don't treat leaders with contempt just because you disagree with them politically.

Application: Do you speak about political leaders with contempt? Do you mock them? Stop. Respect the office even when you oppose the person.

5. Pray for Kings and All in Authority

"First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

— 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (NET)

Not just leaders you like. All leaders.

Pray for:

  • Their salvation (they're lost without Christ)
  • Their wisdom (they're making decisions that affect millions)
  • Their justice (they hold the sword to punish evil — Romans 13:4)
  • Their protection from evil counsel

Application: Do you pray for your leaders more than you complain about them? Start praying. By name. Regularly.

Summary on Government

  1. God is sovereign over all authorities. He establishes them. He removes them. Jesus IS God — all authority flows from Him.
  2. Submit as far as conscience allows. God commands submission for order and witness.
  3. Disobey when government commands sin or forbids obedience to God. God's authority is ultimate.
  4. Don't make politics your idol. Your hope is in Christ, not in elections. Jesus is King regardless of who's president.
  5. Leaders are people who need Jesus. Pray for them, not just against them.

Application for cultural battles:

  • Open borders? God established nations (Acts 17:26). Borders aren't inherently evil. But love the immigrant in front of you (Matthew 22:39).
  • Unjust policies? Speak up. Vote. Advocate. But remember: the real enemy is spiritual (Ephesians 6:12).
  • Leaders promoting evil? Oppose the agenda. Pray for the person.

The trap to avoid: Thinking political victory = kingdom victory. The kingdom advances through changed hearts, not legislation (though legislation matters for protecting the vulnerable).