Church of Christ @ Enumclaw

1 Peter 2:11-17 (MKJV)  Dearly beloved, I exhort you as temporary residents and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,  [12]  having your conduct honest among the nations, in that which they speak against you as evildoers, they may glorify God in a day of His visitation, seeing your good works.  [13]  Then be in obedience to every ordinance of men, because of the Lord, whether to a king as supreme,  [14]  or to governors as sent by Him for vengeance on evildoers, but for praise on well-doers.  [15]  For such is the will of God, doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish men;  [16]  as free, and not having freedom as a cover of evil, but as servants of God.  [17]  Honor all. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
 

Romans 13:1-7 (MKJV)  Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but of God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God.  [2]  So that the one resisting the authority resists the ordinance of God; and the ones who resist will receive judgment to themselves.  [3]  For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the bad. And do you desire to be not afraid of the authority? Do the good, and you shall have praise from it.  [4]  For it is a servant of God to you for good. For if you practice evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, a revenger for wrath on him who does evil.  [5]  Therefore you must be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.  [6]  For because of this you also pay taxes. For they are God's servants, always giving attention to this very thing.  [7]  Therefore give to all their dues; to the one due tax, the tax; tribute to whom tribute is due , fear to whom fear is due , and honor to whom honor is due .
 

Perhaps a good passage to reflect on is that recorded by the apostle Paul to the Corinthians in his second letter:

2 Corinthians 1:2-11 (NKJV) 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  
       3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
       8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.