How can I submit to authority I don't agree with?
Answer: Your question is good one. And I believe that there is a practical answer found in the principles contained in the Word of God.
I believe you can support a leader you do not agree with and it does not make you a hypocrite. We support the office a person holds first and foremost. We may disagree with certain policies and values, but we stand behind our leader. I believe this is true on every level.
In the home, God has ordained the husband as the leader, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)
The wife may not agree with her husband, but she is still called to support and stand behind him. The same is true in the work world. You may not like your boss, you may not agree with him in every decision, but you are called to submit. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” (Ephesians 6:5-6)
How about sports? I’m afraid it’s the same deal. Even if you think your coach is wrong in his decision making, you cannot go off in your own direction. You are part of a team and a team must work together. And in order to do that a team must have a leader. If a basketball team huddles on the sideline during a timeout and the coach calls a play, all the players must go onto the court and run that play. If even one decides he is going to run his own play, failure is inevitable. Even if the coach’s play was not the best call, unity still provides the opportunity to succeed.
In politics, family, church, the work world, etc, there are appropriate ways to attempt to bring about change and to voice opposition. We must always be sure to stay within the law and to act in love. We must also operate in ways that preserve the best interests of the organization we are involved in…or we shouldn’t be involved in it. Many that disagree with the war in Iraq undermine the work the troops are doing. Citizens have every right to disagree, but the way you voice that opposition is critical.
If we disagree with a political policy, we can voice our opposition, but derogatory personal comments about any leader are NEVER appropriate, especially for a Christian. We respect the office, even if we don’t think the person holding the office deserves respect. Remember, God ordained the order of authority. “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.” (Romans 13:1)
This can be difficult when we passionately disagree. We can differ in our thinking and we can take suitable steps to bring about change. We can campaign during election time for a candidate that we share values with and we can certainly vote our opinion. But to usurp or undermine present authority puts us at risk for the judgment of God. “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” (Romans 13:2) (Read also: Numbers 16)
By following and respecting the powers that be, we are actually demonstrating faith in God. We trust that He knew what he was doing when He put this structure in place. We believe that the Holy Scripture means exactly what it says. It doesn’t exempt us from doing our part, but it shows that after we have, we can trust God with what comes next. Sometimes we have trouble letting go of that control (and this may well be the issue in many cases).
The only case where not obeying authority is acceptable is when they order us to violate the law of God. For example, we don’t agree with abortion, and there are proper ways to voice that position, but we are not called to overthrow or undermine the government. However, if the government ordered parents to have abortions, that would be a different story. The law of God must always have preeminence, but unless we are commanded to disobey God, we must submit to authority.
I know this is not easy to accept, but God is bigger than any situation. Trust His Word. I hope this is helpful.