Today is the day we celebrate our Independence from England, the day we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress. Declaring that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and no longer part of the British Empire. In Romans chapter 13:1-6 we read:
1 ¶ 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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
In the United States, since the adaption of the Declaration of Independence and with the codifying of the Constitution of the Untied States, the power is not a man, but the Supreme Law, the Constitution.
So, what Romans 13:1-6 says is that as long as the men God has allowed to rule in the US, follow the law, then we the people must obey those in positions of authority, but since we are a Republic and not a democracy, we the people must obey the rulers only as long as the rulers obey the law, our Declaration of independence teaches us that once the rulers stop obeying the law, then we the people must not only stop obeying them, but must, by what ever means necessary, replace them with a Government more suitable to our needs, our safety, our well being.
For Christians it is simple, we are to obey a government that obeys the US Constitution, but not obey a government that doesn't. Our current g0vernment is not obeying the rule of law, but has become a law unto itself, not serving the people, but themselves and those they serve.
