BE SUBMISSIVE: for the Lord’s sake. 1st Peter 2:13 The doctrine of headship applies to three areas of society: civil government, the local assembly, and the private home. In each of these areas of human life, there is divinely appointed leadership. "Emperors" led nations, and "governors" led more localized sections of society. "Elders" are divinely appointed leaders in assemblies, to whose leadership we submit. Husbands are appointed by the Lord as the "head" and serve as guides in individual households. In each of these areas of life, God's purpose is orderly and successful living.
“Ordinances” are institutions established by God for mankind to maintain social order and “for the Lord’s sake.” These three areas of lordship are taught in scripture to guide and control the three main areas of society. The husband is the head of the household; elders rule, and guide assemblies; and kings of nations and governors in lower areas of responsibility in local areas are ordained by God.
Our responsibility to the human government is clear. As children of God, we are responsible for recognizing and accepting that we must pay our taxes, pray for those in authority, and submit to them for the Lord’s sake. The exception to this rule is that those who belong to the Lord must resist a command to sin. Examples include the three Hebrews who were thrown into the fiery furnace; the midwives in Egypt who were commanded to kill the Jewish baby boys; Daniel, who continued to pray; and the apostles, who refused to stop preaching the Gospel.
For some reason, this submission is hard. It is not so hard when it comes to safety and a special few, but some laws that have been passed seem unfair. And yet God commands me to submit as long as I am living here. I think this has to do with the public and how they see the Gospel. If I am against the government, preaching will soon become impossible. The citizens of this place should know I am a law-abiding man – and I will cooperate with them and obey as best I can.
However, I am subject to higher laws than these – God has a higher authority, and it is Him I am obliged to please. As long as the ordinances don’t conflict with the moral laws of God, I am committed, for Christ’s sake, to keep them as I should. The name of the Lord is what is truly at stake in keeping the laws of men. Some saints suffer, and others have died rather than compromise Him. Laws, at times, are foolish and, in some places, turn people away from God. When that happens, I must leave or die there to keep God’s Word. Some of the saints have no choice – they have no place to go. Submitting to laws will mean hard times that others may never know about. “Lord, keep the saints’ courage so high that they obey Thee without question.”
A Christian should be a law-abiding, disciplined person who is careful to conduct their life in a way that does not bring reproach on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should not complain about those in authority when speaking with others. Quiet submission to authority is an important part of our testimony. However, refusing to comply with sinful demands requires a clear explanation of our convictions, supported by the word of God. That, too, is a testimony that we are committed to obeying the highest authority in the universe, even if it means suffering or death.