Authority, Go Figure

     There is never an escape clause around when you need one, like in Romans 13:1-7 on the Christian's responsibility to human government.  Paul headed off any exclusion based on corrupt rulers by living (and dying) under the reign of insane, sadistic Nero.  He instructed payment of taxes when Rome was using that  money, and Christians themselves, to feed the coliseum lions.  He stated that God established governments to do good and punish wrong while believers, including Paul, were being martyred for their faith in Christ.  Rome may not have been the worst case scenario government, but it is probably in the top ten.
     And then there's us, U.S., beginning to feel the faint sparks of injustice and persecution, who sulkily submit, protest paying taxes and decidedly delete honor and respect.  In our arrogance, we even insist that the Lord's return must be soon if we are beginning to be persecuted.  Sorry to say we are not prophetically significant.  Scripture does not even give our nation an honorable mention, much less plan the rapture around us.  And then there's our culture, which respects neither rules nor rulers.  As a matter of fact, disrespect is now considered entertainment, especially in our Athenian talk radio and tv circuit.
     And then there's us, rebels by both nature and preference. For those who were raised in homes with an unjust authority figure, resentment of authority is even stronger.  I once met a woman whose alcoholic father had made her so despise authority that, late at night, when there wasn't much traffic, she drove on the wrong side of the road.  Talk about a meaningless gesture--Occupy the left lane.
    And then there's Christians, whose duty to our rulers and government is based on the fact that God established them--not by the whim of misguided voters.  Even worse is the revolutionary revelation that defying their authority is defying the God who put them there.  My daughter once considered the career of being an assassin for the Lord.  Frankly, the idea had a certain appeal, but I don't want my cynical nature, godless culture or American expectations to compromise the clear commands of the Bible.  God knows an escape clause would merely be a tool of our rebellious nature, I have that on good authority.