Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/63

Contributor - Henry Van Essen

Title - Be Subject for The Lord's Sake

Topic - Youth

"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 wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's Will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor." (1 Peter 2: 13-17)

The human rights issue keeps cropping up everywhere. And many words are written about it and more are spoken. It is not right when there is suppression, when there is inequality. Yet I cannot help but feel uneasy when in the name of human rights police are resisted, law trampled under foot, and martyrs created. In 1 Peter 2:12 there is the general exhortation to "maintain good conduct among the Gentiles" and in the following verses we are asked to maintain good conduct over against the civil authorities: the Federal, the Provincial, the County, City, Township Governments; police authorities, the courts etc.

Those of you who follow the news of these days will have noticed some items that make this how to maintain good conduct over against authorities a burning question, a hot issue.

1. A New York judge gave suspended sentences to a number of Protestant ministers, who had defied police orders in picketing a housing project. They pleaded guilty and justified their breaking the law by stating that they wanted to correct a greater evil, racial injustice.

2. The National Council of Churches, U.S.A. plans to participate actively in the August 28 march on the capital of the of the U.S. This march of at least 1500 marchers is considered by many to be dynamite, waiting to be set off.

3. More and more churches and individuals approve of breaking a law, when in their eyes it seems that that law is unjust. (take for example some tobacco growers vs. the Ontario Farm Marketing Board) Or maybe we should say it more simple: if you don't agree with it, don't do it.

What now must be our attitude as Christians? What is, to use those big words, the Word of the Lord? Surely the Lord is not against ending all segregation, all injustice? Surely the Lord does not approve of all the decisions of all the governments and all the rulers and all the courts throughout the whole world ?

It is then a very sobering thing indeed, to turn to the Word of God, and to read there "Be subject for the Lord's sake, to every human institution," and "therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment" (Romans 13:2)

Is this Word still up-to-date ?

After all, these words were written 1900 years ago, under totally different circumstances. Most countries now have representative governments, while most single rulers in those days were dictators. We now live in a time in which the rights of the individual, regardless of race, creed, or colour are stressed. Is this Word still up-to-date? Yes, it is and always will be. For Peter's and Paul's experiences with the governing authorities were not so pleasant either. Nero was a cruel ceasar. Nebuchadnezzer in 0.T. times was not a soft-hearted person. In short, all the experiences of the Israelites and the Apostles with governments and rulers were mostly unpleasant.

But you may argue, the place of the common people has changed - we have a say now in government, we elect, we appoint, the majority rules......... Yes, and what about the minority? When they don't like it, they come too active, or if that would go too far, to passive resistance. No, by arguing this way we will never understand why Peter wrote "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution," Peter writes these words because the Christian by nature of his confession, his faith, takes his stand for order against chaos; for government,'against anarchy. The Christian is free in Jesus Christ. He has no other Master; and he seeks to do his Master's will. And the desire of our Lord is order and peace. This was the very reason why Jesus came, to make of rebellious people, children of God.' The whole creation witnesses to law and order. It is only where man has not obeyed God's order and laws, that difficulties develop, and nature becomes unbalanced. God's will is order and peace. To oppose actively or passively in an illegal manner rules of a governing authority, or to simply ignore its laws, is actually nothing else but working towards anarchy, lawlessness. We must well realize what it will mean when each person or group of persons takes the liberty to decide whether he will obey a certain rule or law. That will mean that a government in order to keep some law and order, will have to have a whole army patrolling the country, with the result that it will be accused of dictatorial policies.

Yet this is what the freedom marchers and the tobacco-growers are seemingly advocating: flout any law which you feel to be unjust. Let us teach this to our children, and lawlessness and anarchy will sweep the land. This is exactly what the Communists like to accomplish, to have people trample the laws under foot, for this is the beginning of revolution.

But what is a law, a rule is highly unjust? First there are all the legal means to be tried. But ultimately it is God who alone is Judge. If man stands up and tramples a law under foot or starts a revolution, he says in effect, I judge and allows himself the capability of being able to do what is He makes himself the judge, and allows himself good. He sets himself up as God, and . . . . revolts, against God.

All governments and rulers govern by the grace of God. "Pilate therefore said to Jesus 'You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and power to crucify you?' Jesus answered him, 'You would have no power over me, unless it had been given you from above' (John 19: 10,11) "For there is no authority, except from God, and those that exist, have been instituted by God" (Romans 13: lb) Now this does not mean that the Lord agrees with everything that goes on. The rulers and governments remain responsible for their deeds, ultimately to God. But as long as they reign they have the power, the authority, by the grace of God. And thus, says Paul, "He who resists the authorities, resists what God has appointed" (Romans 13: 2.) David would not stretch out his hand against King Saul, because, even though Saul tried to kill David, he still remained the Lord's anointed and would remain this for David, until the Lord would remove Saul from his place. As such, the Christian is to be an "anti-revolutionist." That is why Peter adds to the "Be subject to every human institution" "for the Lord's sake." We must be this way, not for Peter's sake, nor for expediency's sake, nor because it is now better for you, or better for your local church. Then these words might be outdated. No, for the Lord's sake, who also Himself was subject to every human institution.

Of course, the Christian is at times under obligation to make use of every legal opportunity to combat injustice and to strive for recognition of the human rights of every individual, to help law and order. Through active participation in elections, through accepting and working towards responsible governing positions, whether it be as a constable or as M.P., by praying "for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life" (1 Tim.2:2) this may be done.

I realize that all this means that those who illegally demonstrate, or conduct sit-ins, even if they break "only" county laws, are then in disobedience to God's Word. I realize that in stating, this in this way, I possibly differ sharply from other Christians. But I read "Be subject for the Lord's sake" and not "help the forces of anarchy," which are so strong already in this world. I want it understood that I am all in favour of ending discrimination, segregation, and injustice, where ever they exist, but while obedience to Cod's Word.

Is this "Be subject to be followed under all circumstances? Yes, except there, where it concerns the message of the Gospel, the preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. There where the authorities try to bind the human conscience the words of Peter ring "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5: 29) These words may easily be quoted out of context, and used to make every move contrary to governing authorities "Christian." But they only relate to the preaching of the Gospel. Peter and the apostles testify that they are witnesses to the Good News of Jesus the Saviour. Not to speak of Jesus is to deny Him. This is impossible for a Christian. A Christian can never allow anything to interfere with the exercise of his faith (Daniel Ch. 3.) But also please note, that they did not advocate the end of slavery, or passive harassment of the local authorities. In all other circumstances it is "Be subject . ." "For it is God's will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." In Peter's days the Christian was considered to be an enemy of the state, an anarchist, an outlaw, a danger for society. This of course, says Peter, is foolish talk; but be obedient, and prove it. And this was not only so in Peter's days; on certain mission fields this is still true today. And what will happen when leading churchmen become the leading lawbreakers?

No doubt you will think further about these words. Read Art. 37 of the Belgic Confession, one of the doctrinal standards of the R. C. A. Think about your responsibility to your government, be it local, provincial, or federal. And be a faithful follower of the Lord. "Be subject for the Lord's sake to e very human institution." "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."

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