Duty to State

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.
....and for this reason pay your taxes, since the authorities are God's public servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honour to those you owe honour. Romans 13:1-7
 
Now, this was written by a man who was put to death by the then governing authority, Rome. Jesus was put to death by the Roman force.
 
There are times when  Christian needs to discern when not to obey, for example being told not to preach the gospel or to abuse or destroy others, as we have seen in many parts of the world.
 
However, we in the West, have no such problem at this time. Generally speaking we should pay our taxes and tolls and respect our government and go so far as to pray for our government.
 
I have a real problem with the opposition parties shredding the character of those in leadership. What they sow they will reap. I find it hard to respect would be leaders who vilify the ruling government.
 
We should obey our leaders at work, at church, our local councils, our police and again pray for them. Amen!

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