Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is
no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist
have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels
against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those
who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers
hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want
to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you
will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your
good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no
reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the
wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the
authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of
conscience. Romans 13:1-5
You don’t have to agree with the
government, but according to Paul, Christians do have to respect the
government. A Christian must look at a
government leader and say to himself, “that person is in office because God put
them into office.”
Christians should submit to the
office, which is the authority the person in office holds.
Now what about matters of abortion,
civil rights or if you were a Christian in Nazi Germany? Can Christians speak out and protest? Yes, those are issues that biblically are wrong.
In that case it’s the issue, not the
person that’s being protested.