We have heard it said that we must obey the powers of earth; kings, rulers, laws, etc. for they have been ordained by God. Romans 13:1. 13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Is this an absolute command? Are we to obey in every instance? Peter told the council in Jerusalem we are to obey God rather than man.
The High Priest and Sadducees in Jerusalem were confronted with the news of Jesus being resurrected from the dead as Jesus had spoken. Peter and other disciples had healed the sick and those vexed with unclean spirits. These people came or were brought from all over the region to be healed by Peter. This was turning the world upside down in that part of the world. Believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Acts 5:14. 17 …The high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18 And …put them in the common prison. 5:17-18.
Most evil leaders at all times and in all places in the world do not want the truth of Jesus to be told, nor any activity being performed in his name. When Peter and the other apostle were found outside the common prison–having been released by an angel of God–the High Priest arrests them again and says, Chapter 5:26-28. 28 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. These evil leaders, like on most occasions in their subjection, demand Christians behave in their appointed manner.
Did you notice the wording in Romans 13:1? Let every soul be SUBJECT UNTO… Being ‘subject’ leaves the righteous to obey God rather than earthly rulers who are evil infidels. We cannot say these leaders we must follow, because God ordained them. We cannot say we have no choice because they are appointed by God’s Will. God uses all men to accomplish his eternal will upon mankind dwelling on earth. Often evil leaders are used to destroy other evil leaders in order to change the mindset of those found in the fringes of righteousness or turn the minds of the evil to righteousness.
Christians are to stand steadfast in the word of the Lord obeying God. Peter stood before the council and declared that same message. Acts 5:29. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Apostle John wrote in 1 John 2:4-6. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. No matter what the governing body might rule, Christians are to obey God; Peter and John told us to. Being as men so claim to know Jesus, they are to walk even as Jesus did. (vs. 6)
2 John 1:9-11. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. One might infer from this passage that if one does not stand against evil but allows it to go without rebuking the evil perpetrator, they are as good as condoning the evil and thus are a partaker of the evil deed.
We have been given a charge to live as Jesus did. We are given a privilege to participate in what our rulers command. We should stand upon righteousness and not allow evil to continue unabated in our lives.
Let us look at a time past concerning what God said he would do to those who do not stand steadfast in the righteousness of God.
Let us read the account of King Asa’s reign when kings ruled over Judah. Turn to 2 Chronicles 15. As we read, seek similarities between mankind of Asa’s day with nations today. Why are evils prevailing upon so many by evil leaders? Could it be that righteous people are not taking advantage and speaking against evil rulers and evils surrounding us? Have we kept quiet too long and allowed these evils to draw us away from God’s righteousness and we do not even know we left his kingdom?
God has spoken thus concerning evil leaders: Proverbs 29:2, 4. 2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. 4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. The NIV translates: 2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. 4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.
Evil leaders follow after their own lusts, not the needs of their people. Therefore, the nation suffers at the greed of its leaders. As evil leaders do, so do the people. Unchecked, these evils bring mourning and vexation of the righteous.
Now let us see an example of what God will do to evil nations and its people, and what God will do for righteous nations and its people. We can learn from the past.
2 Chronicles 1. 15 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: 2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Righteous persons give righteous council. Righteous persons speak in whatever form to tell all men, from leaders down, to obey God rather than their own greed.
Vs. 3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. 4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 5 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. 6 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
How many times have we read or heard righteous mankind must seek God and he will be with us, but, if we do not seek him and forsake him he will turn from us and allow all forms of evil vexations to befall mankind?
Mankind is to fight for righteousness. Righteous Christian mankind is to take every advantage God has given them to stop the spread of evil and evil perpetrators. Christians are to seek him, not forsake him. When a nation forsakes God, he turns his face from them. (he will forsake you, vs. 2)
Israel did this over and over in their history. In fact many nations have done this over and over throughout history. In the time of the Judges, the Israelite nation forsook God and calamity came upon them for many years at a time until they sought God and begged for his mercy.
During the reign of King David the Syrians and Ammonites both came against Israel. David placed his commanders in array against each nation to fight against the evils before him. He told them: 2 Sam. 10:12. 12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord do that which seemeth him good. The term ‘play’ is also interpreted as ‘fight bravely’. Christians are always to stand for what is right. We are to fight ‘bravely’ for the cause of Christ. Paul tells us to stand fast in righteousness. 2 Thes. 2:15. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Therefore we are to stand upon what we believe and thus fight bravely for righteousness in our lives. When we have input into the governing of our lives (even as Azariah told Asa) we have the opportunity to stand for that in which we believe, not giving opportunity to allow evil to prevail. If we stand and let our voices be known, God will do the rest and bring righteous judgment into our lives.
In our passage from 2 Chronicles we read why the people lived in turmoil; they had been without the true God, without true teachers (priests) and the Law of God governing them. (vs. 3) During the evil leaderships and evil times in the lives of the Israelites, no man was safe to come and go as they pleased. (vs. 5) Scripture says there were great vexations upon the inhabitants of Israel. God allowed those evils to overtake them. God wants to know if we will stand fast in righteousness and put forth an effort to have the evils removed or not. If we show God our faith, he will lead and provide for us. Without righteousness in their world, nation was destroyed of nation, city of city, and God vexed them with adversity. (vs. 6) Sounds familiar.
Azariah stated to Asa, Judah and Benjamin, (vs. 7) 7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. The efforts of righteous mankind will be rewarded by God when he sees our effort to remove evil from our lands. We must be strong in our efforts and work (use our hands) to do our part. When we stand together using every tool available, God will take up the slack to reward our faith and efforts.
What happens when we put forth an effort to stand fast? 2 Chronicles 15:8-15. 8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord. 9 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. 10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. 11 And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. 12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. 14 And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.
Strong righteous leaderships have wisdom to follow after God. As with Asa, either a change of heart of a current leader happens, or a change of leadership happens. Israel began to put away all abominable things from the nation. Courageously they renewed the right to worship the Almighty God of the universe. Righteous leaders do not deny the people to follow God and his righteousness. Persons seeking to find peace and righteousness flock to their leader to find more knowledge and wisdom and blessings from their God. The people renew their vow to live wholly unto God with all their heart and soul. This Israel did.
When a nation seeks the love and righteousness of God, God will be found in them. Peace from their enemies will come.
In the reign of Asa, scripture says, (vss. 18-19) 18 And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels. 19 And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa. God’s children began to prosper again. God’s house became great again. Peace reigned over all the land, including their enemies. This peace reigned for the time of the reign of Asa; a strong righteous leader.
Can our lives and the future for our children and their children’s lives be blessed with no more wars? It did for 35 years in the time of Asa’s reign. God will do it for us if we show our strength by standing for righteousness.
