Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Romans 3:1
I would use this passage from Paul (and 1 Peter 2:13-15) when the pandemic raged and people asked why we should follow mask mandates, social distancing, and refrain from in-person worship. This ticked a couple of people off, but it was my go-to only after they didn’t like my first answer, which had something to do with how we choose to love and protect our families, neighbors, and ourselves during such a crisis.
I used it recently when someone asked me if we would make the church mask again because the cases of the latest variant were on the rise. I asked in return, “Has the government mandated it? But if you chose to do so, to protect yourself and others, that’s fine.”
What it comes down to is this: We may not trust or like our government leaders (even though we likely have never met them in person), but it’s hard to argue with the divinely inspired wisdom of two giants of the church whom the Lord specifically chose to teach us. Besides, how do we know that the things government officials ask of us are not God’s will for the common good?
Besides, for some strange reason, 42 put officials in a position through divine and mysterious authority. So if this bLOG has ticked you off, I invite you to argue with him; leave me alone.
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God… 1 Peter 2:13-15
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