K
Scripture takes an entirely different view of governing authority, which view should be the Christian's view.
Keep in mind that Nero, the murderer of Christians, was the authority when Ro 13 was written.
For it is better to have Nero, than no governing authority at all, which is anarchy.
And those who would reduce enforcement of the law because it is not done perfectly, are blind
to the disastrous outcome of their foolish thinking.
The solution is more good law enforcement, not less enforcement of the law.
And if by "of God," you mean not established by God, Scripture disagrees with you.
"The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority (established by God) is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
. . .For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid for he does not bear the sword (God's authority to execute) for nothing.
He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." (Ro 13:1-2, 4)
The problem is not what God has instituted, the problem is unbelief that "he who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. . .for he does not bear the sword in vain."
What we are seeing is the truth of God's word in Ro 13:4--bringing judgment on oneself for rebelling against what God has instituted.
Only if God were contrary to his people, which he is not.
There is no NT prohibition of capital punishment and, therefore, no sin to share in that regard.
On the contrary, Ro 13:1-2, 4 is just the opposite,
it establishes capital punishment (v.4) as instituted by God, as in the OT.
We must obey our governing authorities in everything except in that which requires personal sinful action on one's part.
I know of no such law in our code.
Scripture is not authored by human "common sense," but by God's wisdom and authority.
However, it seems you seek to interpret it according to your personal "common sense,"
rather than according to what it clearly and authoritatively states.
Ro 13:1-2, 4 couldn't be any clearer about the Christian's obligation to obey the governing authority because it has been instituted by God, and to rebel against it is to rebel against what God himself has instituted.
Your problem is not lack of information nor lack of a Biblical mandate.
It suggests blindness and/or unbelief.
Keep in mind that Nero, the murderer of Christians, was the authority when Ro 13 was written.
For it is better to have Nero, than no governing authority at all, which is anarchy.
And those who would reduce enforcement of the law because it is not done perfectly, are blind
to the disastrous outcome of their foolish thinking.
The solution is more good law enforcement, not less enforcement of the law.
And if by "of God," you mean not established by God, Scripture disagrees with you.
"The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority (established by God) is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
. . .For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid for he does not bear the sword (God's authority to execute) for nothing.
He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." (Ro 13:1-2, 4)
The problem is not what God has instituted, the problem is unbelief that "he who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. . .for he does not bear the sword in vain."
What we are seeing is the truth of God's word in Ro 13:4--bringing judgment on oneself for rebelling against what God has instituted.
Only if God were contrary to his people, which he is not.
There is no NT prohibition of capital punishment and, therefore, no sin to share in that regard.
On the contrary, Ro 13:1-2, 4 is just the opposite,
it establishes capital punishment (v.4) as instituted by God, as in the OT.
We must obey our governing authorities in everything except in that which requires personal sinful action on one's part.
I know of no such law in our code.
Scripture is not authored by human "common sense," but by God's wisdom and authority.
However, it seems you seek to interpret it according to your personal "common sense,"
rather than according to what it clearly and authoritatively states.
Ro 13:1-2, 4 couldn't be any clearer about the Christian's obligation to obey the governing authority because it has been instituted by God, and to rebel against it is to rebel against what God himself has instituted.
Your problem is not lack of information nor lack of a Biblical mandate.
It suggests blindness and/or unbelief.
I did not say government was not established by God.
What I said is that not everything done by the government is of the ways of God, and if you follow those ways that are contrary to Gods way then the bible makes it clear that you support and share in their sin. Which this means you are guilty of that sin to.
God allows things to happen, even the evil things in this world. He could come right now and wipe it all away again like He did in the flood, but that is not what His will is this time around. He wants us all to come to Him willingly through repentance of our sins and to walk the way our Lord showed us how to walk.
Plus there is a difference in rebelling against the government, and trying to get them to institute more Godly laws into their set of laws. Instead of trying to force us into following ungodly ways.
We can not support or agree with abortion, gay marriage, death penalty, or any other laws the government makes that are against God's. If we do then we are living in willful sin, and not showing the love, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion that the Lord told us to live by.
The bible clearly says that if you live in willful sin, you are not saved and headed to eternal punishment.
Like I said the bible even says that some believers will be fooled in the last days and take the mark of the beast, when he comes and establishes his government, and then they will share in the lake of fire. So if we are to obey all the laws the governing authorities pass, then by the two examples I gave you can partake in others sins or take the mark of the beast if he comes in our time and still stay saved. The bible says not so.