1. We are commanded to submit to the government. (Rom. 13:1a)

• "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities."
  

• This includes (in America), our Federal Government, our State Government, our County Government, and, where applicable, our Municipal Government.

• "For there is no authority except from God,"

• "and those which exist are established by God."

• "Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God;

• "and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."

• "For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil."

• "Do you want to have no fear of authority?"

• "Do what is good and you will have praise from the same"

• "For it is a minister of God to you for good."

• "But if you do what is evil,"

• "be afraid;"

• "for it does not bear the sword for nothing;"

• "for it is a minister of God,"

• "an avenger who brings wrath"

• "on the one who practices evil."

• "Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection,"

• "not only because of wrath,"

• "but also for conscience' sake."

• "For because of this you also pay taxes,"

• "for rulers are servants of God,"

• "devoting themselves to this very thing."

• "Render to all what is due them:

• "tax to whom tax is due;"

• "custom to whom custom;"

• "fear to whom fear;"

• "honor to whom honor."