The Bible does have a few things to say about it:
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, Christ Jesus, himself human, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing..
1 Peter 2:15-17
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of the foolish. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love your fellow believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
1 Let everyone be subject
to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that
which God has established. The authorities that exist have been
established by God. 2
Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against
what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on
themselves. 3 For rulers
hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do
you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is
right and you will be commended. 4
For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do
wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They
are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the
wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it
is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible
punishment but also as a matter of conscience.6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7
Give to everyone what you owe: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue,
then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
In some ways, it's really simple. Keep being the church. Continue living out our missional call as the people of God. Worship God, preach the gospel, feed the hungry, provide for the widows and orphans, protect the weak, love one another. Same as yesterday, really. Let's get right back to it.
(picture above by Patrick Moberg)
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