1st Peter 2:13. “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;” BE SUBMISSIVE: for the Lord’s sake. For some reason this submission is hard to do. It is not so hard when it comes to safety and a special few – But there are some laws that have passed that 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, it will make preaching soon impossible. The citizens of this place should know I am a law-abiding man – And I will cooperate with them and obey the very best I can.
However, I am subject to higher laws than these – God has a higher authority and 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 ordinances as I should.
The name of the Lord is what is really involved in keeping 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 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 – To submit to laws will mean hard times that some may never know. Lord, keep the courage of the saints so high as they obey The laws of men as they can, that other men God will praise.
“I am praying today, O Lord God Most High, for Thy people who are living in places where there is opposition to Thy Gospel. Give Thy people a gracious way about them. Help them not to render evil for evil. Help them to speak when they should and be silent when it is the way to act. Glorify Thyself in those choice people – and also in this feeble, free man who until now, has been preserved from so much. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”