Submission to Every Ordinance

One of the consequences of being an Australian citizen is voting is compulsory.  Those who choose not to vote in local or federal elections or a referendum are required to pay a fine which is currently capped at $55.  For followers of Jesus Christ, it should not be the threat of a fine that leads us to do our civic duty to vote, but submission to the government established by God as unto Him.

1 Peter 2:13-16 exhorts believers in the context of doing good works in the public sphere, "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God."  While there are exceptions to this command of Peter, let us not miss the overarching requirements of the child of God to submit to every ordinance of man for the LORD's sake.  Those who appeal to a "higher authority" to justify disregarding the law everyone ought to follow is blatant rebellion before God.  We have the highest authority, God Himself, commanding us to submit by faith in Him to every ordinance, to kings as supreme and governors who ultimately have been established by God.  It is hypocrisy to use God or our faith in Jesus as an excuse not to comply with court orders, paying due wages and tax, and obtaining licenses--like everyone else is required to do.

Our freedom in Christ is not to be exercised by willful defiance against government but obedience to the government as unto the LORD--regardless if we agree with the ordinances, for our convenience, or to show our displeasure.  Even if churches and believers are unfairly targeted by authorities, by faith in Jesus who rules and reigns over all we are to honour and obey Him by submitting to earthly ordinances.  Should it ever come to a point where a government tries to force believers to deny or disobey our LORD Who has taught us to "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's," we need not be defiant with anger and resentment.  Like the Hebrew trio who cheerfully conversed with King Nebuchadnezzar who threatened their lives with death, we can show due respect by politely declining and continuing in faithful allegiance to God.  God honoured these men by their deliverance and salvation, and their good works made a strong impression on Nebuchadnezzar.  In the New Testament, after believers were commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, they continued to obey God with joy and gladness--not with anger, frustration and resentment.

Let us take a stand in obedience to God, and know it is God's will we would be as determined to obey our government and local councils as if we were obeying the commands of Jesus Christ Himself.  Rather than defiance and passionate public railing against the Sanhedrin, believers in the early church poured out their hearts behind closed doors in private to the LORD in prayer Who heard and answered them.  The lure of martyrdom for a social, political or a religious cause can be strong, yet to live daily in submission to Christ by obedience to earthly authorities that may despise Him is a true test of our faith in God Who refines us by His grace for His glory.