You can study the Bible from cover to cover and you will not find one instance where one of God’s servants ever led a protest against a human government. The Apostle Paul wrote, as inspired by God, “Let every [person] be subject unto [obey] the higher powers” (Romans 13:1). The Revised Standard Version translates it: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” No matter what country you live in, you are to obey the governing authorities in everything—except, of course, any requirement to disobey God’s higher law. Thus, we are to comply with all laws, even traffic laws and income tax laws, that don’t cause us to disobey one of God’s laws. As the Apostle Peter told the Jewish authorities of his day, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Regarding the paying of taxes, true Christians are to obey the established tax laws of the land, no matter how seemingly unfair. In principle, we should claim every tax exemption the government allows—but we should never protest taxation by refusing to pay what is required. Jesus Christ set us an example to follow. The people of His day detested the Roman tax system. Jesus Christ paid His taxes (Matthew 17:24-27). He taught, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Concerning the members of God’s Church obeying posted speed limit signs on public motorways, the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following in a 1979 member and co-worker letter: “[O]ur people indeed are a law-abiding, patriotic people. If man’s law says drive with a speed limit of 55, we hold it down to 55” (Feb. 7, 1979). In a March 1980 Good News magazine article, he stated further: “If the government sets a speed limit of 55 mph, I as an individual do not exceed it. As an individual, I am subject to government, and no government has ever had occasion to find me guilty of not obeying its laws.”

Recommended reading: Fulfilling God’s Law: Romans 13 and You