Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ “
Acts 23:1-5
Some have suggested that when Paul quoted the Old Testament concerning not speaking evil of a ruler, he was being sarcastic. I believe nothing could be further from the truth, and I suspect that any who assume sarcasm to be Paul’s intention probably want to justify their own derogatory statements about their leaders. I think we simply need to examine Paul’s instruction in his letter to the Romans to understand clearly how the apostle felt in the matter. Just listen to a few key points from Rom 13.
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” (Rom 13:1-2)
Simply put, God places men in power. If we then rebel against that authority in word or deed, we are in fact rebelling against God and should expect judgment! Remember Jesus’ response when Pilate said he had power to crucify or release Him? Christ said, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.” (Joh 19:11) When Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was lifted up in pride, God took his presence of mind from him so that he might “know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” (Dan 4:32) Those in authority over us received that authority from God!
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.” (Rom 13:3-5)
Some government is better than no government. Because our Lord is in absolute, sovereign control, He can use anything and ANYONE to provide that which is best for His children. What a blessing to know Pro 21:1! “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Rom 8:28 doesn’t cease to be true when an ungodly ruler takes office. It is still certain that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
“For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” (Rom 13:6-7)
Wow…we don’t even have liberty to complain about our taxes! Did He really have to go there? Of course He did because I’m guilty and need to hear it! “But I don’t like what they do with my tax dollars.” That’s not the issue. God put them in charge, so pay their taxes without complaint! Don’t forget Christ’s discussion in Mat 22:17-21 when asked if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar (who, by the way, was an ungodly idolator). “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, ‘Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.’ So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ And He said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ ” I don’t know that these verses can be any clearer. Thank you Lord for such a needful reminder this election year…
