Do Not Be Like Them
Do We Follow Evil Authority?
There’s a Christian concept that I have struggled with over the years.
It is the idea that believers are supposed to bow down to Authority. No matter how evil it is.
The concept comes from this verse,
“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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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: Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”—Romans 13:1-7
The idea being that God is all powerful, so He can choose who He wants to lead and has chosen this evil leader. So we as Christians must follow the leader. We must pay what we owe in taxes. We give them respect.
We continue to do good, because even an evil ruler would have a hard time punishing someone who is doing good.
The bottom line is that we are actually serving God, and answer to Him, not the evil ruler.
That’s the basic concept.
This doctrine has led to Christians following evil dictators, Nazis, and Communists and other wicked rulers. It has led to Christians allowing the most vile and evil things to occur, and even seem to endorse them. It has led to Christians supporting laws that are evil, such as slavery and genocide. All perfectly legal at the time. Even today Christians support laws that destroy peoples lives. All because it’s “The Law”.
This concept has led to Pastors, who betray church members and send them off to death camps. Right now, in countries like China, Pastors will report members who preach the true Gospel.
It has led to churches where Jesus Christ is only viewed as a good teacher, not as Lord. Because the leaders are snitches and the congregation is too afraid to speak out. They cannot get a license to be a church if they do not support the state sanctioned version of the church. This sort of thing is coming world wide.
According to the scriptures, there will be a last days persecution.
After or during the the time when the four horsemen are galloping around, Christians world wide will be blamed and killed. The Anti-Christ will rise up and make war with the Saints and kill them. (Revelation 6:1-11, Revelation 13:7, Daniel 7:25)
Terrible things have happened in history and will happen again.
So, it behooves a believer to understand some things about this doctrine.
You cannot base a doctrine on one verse, or one segment. But you must base doctrine on the entirety of scripture. Being led by the Holy Spirit to make wise loving decisions on things.
It’s my belief that God created the concept of authority. It’s from God. But, authority is supposed to rule with love and wisdom. Since it’s from God.
God gives them the chance to do good and succeed, but they fail to various degrees. Government is full of humans, and they sin. They fail, they get it it wrong. They have free will. They choose to do evil, despite the fact that God gave them power so they could do good. It proves that humans are fallen, and even when we have the power to do good, we choose to do evil. Evil rulers prove that we need God to rule. Whether it’s our own lives or the lives of others.
Realize, that oftentimes a people will get the leaders they deserve. You cannot get a good leader from an evil people. Because the leaders come from the people. Ever since the day the child was born, they have been influenced by the culture. They are tainted. It takes a great person (or God in them, or with them.) to overcome the culture and to do good despite the evil. Remember that evil becomes good and good becomes evil, in a fallen culture.
As believers we are in this world and are called to serve God in it. No matter how evil a ruler is, we are called to serve God, in love.
We can gain great spiritual blessings in persecutions from evil. Jesus said we are blessed. (Matt. 5:11-12)
But, how do we live under wicked rulers?
One of the verses I stand on is …… “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”—(Matthew 23:1-3)
When you are faced with evil rulers, we are called to obey them, but not to be evil like them. That means we reject the evil. We reject the lies and false. But, still obey their authority.
What does this mean? How does it work?
Well, you need to be Spirit led, and refuse to do anything that is evil. Even suffering punishment because of it.
This applies to all levels of authority.
History shows us that persecution actually comes from the people around us. Even our own Pastors and brethren. As stated before, the churches throughout history have been full of people who will snitch on you and have you killed.
Scriptures show that there are false brethren. (2 Cor. 11:23-28, Gal. 2:1-5)
People who claim to know Christ but do not.
Our churches are full of them. Persecution helps to weed them out. It’s hard to claim to know Jesus when they kill you for it. So false brethren, twist your church to where you can still be a part of it, but not really serve Christ. It’s happening more and more. A place of entertainment and good moral teaching… Like the state supported churches in China, while the real believers are underground and persecuted.
There will be false teachers. False prophets and preachers or pastors.
We are warned of this, in these last days.
Jesus said to beware the false teachings of the Pharisees.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were the leaders. Understand that nobody listens to the weird guy in the basement. False teaching and false doctrine comes from people in authority. …( Matthew 16:6-12)
He said, “By their fruits ye shall know them…”—(Matthew 7:15-20)
What fruits? What false teachings?
False teachings has two aspects. Either they are teaching a works based doctrine. Or reject the divinity of Christ. Or a mixture of both.
They teach good morals and the law. Or that Jesus Christ was just a good man, or teacher, or never really mention Him. They also reject the Holy Spirit or never speak of Him. Believers, have the Spirit, and are led by Him.
You are not saved by Works. Only Christ alone, and He is Lord. When we are saved we are filled with the Spirit and are changed by Him and led by Him.
The fruits, are the fruits of the Spirit…”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”—(Gal. 5:22-23)
Fruits are not sin. All humans sin. But, not all humans, have the Holy Spirit, who brings those fruits out in us.
If they aren’t serving in love, joy and peace, you might want to question their fruits.
How do they treat you and others? Do they love you? Do they show it? Have they driven good people from your church?
We are called to forgive, but not to support evil.
Paul says there is no fellowship with demons or Belial. No agreement with the sons of deception. (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
So, when a leader, or false brethren or pastor has worked to destroy your life, their fruits reveal them. When people are driven from the church do you believe “They didn’t really love Jesus?” or do you believe that maybe the leadership didn’t love them? Both are possible.
We might need to obey them, because they hold authority, but we are not supposed to be like them. We are not to partake of their false doctrines. We are not to have fellowship with them. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
If they have done us wrong. We should go to them if the Spirit leads. Then, take them to 2 or 3 others. Then before the church.–(Matt. 18:15-17)
Then if they don’t stop. Treat them as a heathen and publican.
Forgive them. Love them. Pray for them, but do not fellowship with them. Do not let them drag you into their evil.
We are not talking about sins. But, fruits. If you focus on sins, you will reject certain sins while ignoring others. You will drive out one sinner while accepting another. You will reject the person who got pregnant out of wedlock, while accepting the person so full of pride they cannot admit they are wrong. You will reject the divorced person, while loving the Gossip. You will reject the addict while loving the glutton, because they can cook great fried chicken. So focus on love, not sins. Love them, and help them to love you.
God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us into all truth. We have the Word, but the Spirit helps us to apply it in wisdom and love.
We are going to need to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit in these last days. As brother turns on brother and delivers them unto death. The deception will be so bad that only the Holy Spirit will be able to guide us through. Do you plan to obey the Anti-Christ because he is in authority? You best learn how to follow the Spirit today, or you will be full of confusion on that day.
The time draws near and believers need to draw closer to God. Our faith is grown the more we trust God. We need to make sure we have the oil of faith in our lamps.
He is coming. But, not when they tell you.
BIO: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.
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