When do Christians have the right to resist the government?
Christians are to live peaceably under civil government, which is ordained by God. The right to resist arises only when government commands or requires something contrary to the Christian experience and the commands of Scripture. At that point, believers may refuse, saying they cannot do it; until then, they are to submit.
Les explains that the powers that be are ordained of God, and verse 2 says that whoever resists the power resists the ordinance of God and brings condemnation on themselves. He points out that God has given individuals and nations free exercise of will, yet His program stays on schedule through wars, famines, insurrections, and revolutions. Even if a completely totalitarian, ungodly government arises, the believer’s first responsibility is to live peaceably under it. The only right to resist is when that government goes contrary to the Christian experience and the commands of Scripture; then believers may say, "Wait a minute, I can't do that." Until then, they are to live peaceably and not resist.