Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:1-2 NIV
For most of human history, believers have been able to control little about how the authorities in government conduct their affairs, but believers can do a great deal about their behavior as citizens within the state. Keep in mind that the infamous Nero was ruling as the emperor when God led Paul to give these instructions.
1) Christianity must not become confused with a political movement nor with a national government.
2) There is one exception to resisting government that is allowed the believer. When rulers begin to exercise personal and immoral mastery over human life, then the believer is to obey God and not man. The believer is always to follow after righteousness, that is, morality and justice. However, note a crucial point: the morality and justice pursued must be the morality and justice of Scripture and not of man's making.
3) World leaders are in the hands of God and are playing their part under His sovereign administration. God holds the world in His hands. He is taking the failure and evil of nations and leaders and working "all things out for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).a. Rulers are not ordained to be a restraint upon good works, but upon evil. Civil authorities and laws exist to restrain evil; therefore, any believer who breaks the law can expect to be punished by the state.