Romans 13 1-7
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. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 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. 4 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. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Last time I checked, the American flag has 50 stars and not the Union Jack in the canton, as do the Australian and New Zealand flags and, before 1965, the Canadian flag (some provinces retained British symbolism in their flags). The Founding Fathers, who were mostly Christians, recognized that when the ruling authority violates God given rights, there is justification. and indeed a duty, to resist. Samuel Rutherford, a Puritan authorand familiar to the Founders, wrote a book, Lex Rex, that noted that the law. and not a ruler, was king. One battle cry of the men of 1776 was “No king but King Jesus”. Romans 13 is too often used to justify craven surrender to government abuses. A case in point: the “German Christians” in the Third Reich.