As a student of history I do not recall any period of even 10 years in any given country where any government promoted prosperity or solved a major problem. Certainly, we see many governments as being wasteful, corrupt and downright evil.
On the other hand I fail to have seen any revolution make things better. As a matter of fact, they make things worse.
Yet Jesus, through the Apostle Paul, tells us to submit to authority of ALL kinds.
Romans 13:1-6
13 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.
13 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.
But justice and the drive to see things change is so integral in our identification as humans made in God’s. Why? Because we are meant to have justice and to change things. That is done through prayer. One hour of praying in the spirit is worth more than 100 hours of any other well meaning actions. God wants us to be involved in social programs but that is, I think, mostly for us to stay grounded in the lessons of service and in the gift of giving. Even intellectual discussion is sometimes healthy but those who want to actually change things, their main job is to pray.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (AMP)
Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
There is no problem with being under authority. The problem is when that authority does not work. God’s authority does work and in His authority, He tells us to be under the other worldly authorities. If we don’t accept them we cannot accept God’s. God wants us to have a right heart. God will fight for us in justice and all things.
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