It is no wonder that the church today is lacking a backbone of courage and resolve…

There are verses regarding ruling authorities that are neglected and floated out there on their own without proper context.

These verses are typically taught from the pulpit with much zeal but they are typically presented with a lack of complete and proper context.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Romans 13:1-2

Typically the teaching goes along the lines of the requirement to submit to authority whether good or bad.

The following verses are typically not included but when they are then they are not offered as contextual clarification but instead just read but not explained. This is essentially, what I call, the glossing over and neglect of verses 3 and 4 while verses 1 and 2 are floated out there in their own and out of context.

These verses give a clear definition of the rulers as mentioned in the previous 2 verses. These define what kind of rulers God specifically ordains.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Romans 13:3-4

To understand what rulers are being referred to in verses 1 and 2 you have to get their qualification from verses 3 and 4.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.

And

he is the minister of God to thee for good...and...he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Here are but a few examples of terrors unto good works that we see happening today: legalizing abortions (in 1970 five Republican appointed Supreme Court Judges led the majority in passing Roe V Wade which declared killing babies the Constitutional right of women), taxes used to pay for abortions, wars to protect monetary assets but sold as protection of freedom instead, secularizing (kicking God out) the government, the schools, the national parks, etc, etc. Also to be included here is the monetary bondage that was put into law in 1913 and has been supported and protected ever since by the government here in the US.

For those who are not aware the Federal Reserve act was passed by Congress and ratified by the President in 1913. This put the complete control of the US economy into the hands of a select group of private banks who quickly diverted the monetary standard completely away from any real value (gold standard). This move created a fully fiat economy which means that the underlying currency is now completely 100% debt driven. This is what the Bible calls usury and it is not at all approved of by God. It puts the people under economic bondage to men. People tend to remain ignorant on this point typically due to lack of "proving all things". They simply prefer to being comfortably numb and staying on the path of least resistance (towards economic hell) which suits them just fine. With all that said, forcing debt on the people is not God's way and it is definitely a terror unto good works...

Here is a good example of when not obeying the rulers is appropriate in God’s eyes. In this case there are the religious rulers who at that time were given a certain degree of jurisdiction regarding ruling the people by the Roman government, especially in the realm of religious affairs. They commanded that the apostles not speak in the name of Jesus but instead of obeying that direct order they continued to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

… and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:40-42

With so much watering down of this and many other scriptural teachings and commandments in the Bible it is no wonder that the church today is lacking the backbone of courage and resolve it once had as demonstrated by these apostles some two thousand years ago. They bravely continued on in what they were commanded by God to do instead of bending to man’s will.