1 Pet. 2:13-17
"Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

The "therefore" refers to the believers' honorable conduct.

We are to obey the law. The laws are put in place by God to punish evildoers and reward the good. God made government because people need government to control evil.

Don't worship the king. Render to Ceasar what is Ceasar's and to God what is God's.

So do you obey local warlords? As long as it doesn't conflict with God's law.

Beth- "We wouldn't need the government if we hadn't had the fall." Then Josh had her recite the 7 C's - which she did quite perfectly, with thanks to Kelly and Paul!