FROM CHAPTER 13

God has appointed those who rule in this realm
through His divine will, notwithstanding, He is the HIGHER authority. Yet, even if that ruler/group of rulers is doing evil in the sight of the Lord, their position is necessary in order for the things that must happen to come to be. So do not fight against them unless you are certain that God is leading you to do so or they are trying to impose ungodly practice through their authority, for to fight against established authorities because of a conclusion you have reached in your own understanding would be to resist the very power and will of God. Self-preservation became the subject of my first question here, since following the law has often led to tragedy for “black” peoples, but self-preservation should only be exercised when God Almighty ordains and guides it, not when it is solely the logical deduction of the individual. To value life and liberty worth preserving in and of themselves creates violent contradictions for the believer, for on the one hand you are saying that your life and liberty are laid down before God to do with as He determines best (which may be to not preserve it in a given occurrence), on the other you are placing a condition on that sacrifice of self to say that God’s will no longer matters when death or an unfavorable judgment (that you perceive threatens your liberty) arises.