The Apostle Paul wrote about the Christian’s duty to the government (Romans 13:1-7). He said everyone should submit to governing authorities, because God had instituted them. The ruler was God’s servant to do good. The Apostle Peter said believers should submit themselves to governing authorities “for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13-17).
But obedience to God qualified their obedience to the government. Jesus said they were to give God what was God’s. Their ultimate obedience belonged to the Lord. Acts 4:19 records that when ruling authorities commanded Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, they said, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.” The entire book of Revelation is about the effort of the Roman government to enforce the worship of Caesar on its people. The book admonished believers to reserve their worship for God alone, even if it cost them their lives.
What does this mean to us today? Part of “giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s” is participating in the worldly process. If you want to be fully involved in taking the gospel to the "tax-collectors and sinners" then you must be out among them. This involvement can include Rotary, Chamber of Commerce activities, sports, and other community projects. But, you need to be careful that you don’t sacrifice the gospel in the process. Commitment to Christ and his message must come first.
What can you do? You can be a good citizen by submitting to governing authorities and obeying the law, as long as these duties don’t conflict with your obedience to God. You can put Christ first in all things, and when Christ and your organization or activity conflict, side with Christ. Be wary of efforts to co-opt Christianity.
Finally, you can remember that the kingdom of God comes by the proclamation of the gospel, not by merely calling yourself a Christian.
Modified from Right or Wrong? by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon School of Theology.
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