GOD, GOD'S PEOPLE,
AND THE GOVERNMENT
David M. Green
(NOTE:
This was an article I wrote in 1998. It appeared in The Baptist Examiner
as well as The King's Addition Baptist
that same year. I am reprinting it here, ten years later. The only changes that
have been made to it have been some changes in format, as well as adding the
year that Ronald Regan died. The message itself is still just as true in 2008
as it was in 1998.)
The above passage is one that I have been studying in my American Government course this year in high school. That has led me to the thoughts for today.
In our text, we want to notice many things:
Every soul is to obey the higher powers.
The higher powers mentioned here are the governments of countries. Today, the word government can refer to the rulers of a country (like presidents, kings, prime ministers, etc.) or it can refer to the institutions of political power (like legislatures, courts, or agencies).
More specifically, the word government (which comes from a Latin word meaning “to steer a ship”) is the authority and power to control, to direct, and rule the actions and affairs of others.
NATIONS WHO SERVE GOD
"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34).
Here we find a passage that tells us exactly what is good for a nation. Many in this country want to switch it around to say that Sin exalts a nation, but righteousness is a reproach. One of these days, however, they will see differently.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." (Psalm 33:12).
The nation who serves God and follows His Word will be a blessed nation!
CHRISTIANS
AND GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY
There
are two main responsibilities that are given to us, as God's children (more
specifically, members of God's true churches). There are two or three others
that coincide with that, which we will look at later.
A. PRAY FOR THOSE IN POWER
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (I Timothy 2:1-2).
The apostle Paul, when writing to young Timothy under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, tells him (and us) that we are to pray for all men. This includes and especially means those in authority. We must give thanks for them, pray for their welfare, and the welfare of their kingdoms (i.e. Nations).
See how different our religion is than those of the world? We are taught and exhorted to practice this diffusive charity, to pray for all men.
It is also of great importance to note, too, that the kings during this time period were heathen men who wanted nothing to do with God. Instead of deciding that since the king does not want us to pray, we will not, they prayed anyway. Why? Because they saw the importance of it.
We as God's people are to be a praying people! We can see that in the following verses:
"Pray without ceasing." (I Thessalonians 5:17).
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (Ephesians 6:18).
"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" (Luke 18:1).
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41).
B. RESPECT AND SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." (Romans 13:1-7).
This passage is not a suggestion. It does not say to submit to authority when you want to or when you feel like it. Rather, it is a commandment. We have this duty and responsibility of submitting to those in authority.
It
is of vast importance, that it be mentioned now that at the time of this writing,
Paul was not under a “love and peace” type of government. When Romans
13 was penned down by Paul, he was under a dictatorship created by the Roman
empire. He was under one of the worst rulers of human history ...Nero himself.
A dictatorship is a system of government in which the
ruler’s acquires his power by some means other than inheritance and rules
with absolute authority. Nero ruled from AD 54-68 and ruthlessly persecuted
Christians throughout the empire. And, even Paul was in subjection to this government.
(Paul was eventually killed by this dictator.)
"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well." (1 Peter 2:13-14).
Civil government, whether good or bad, represents God's authority in our lives. However, IF the laws of civil government demand that the believer oppose God’s commands, we must respectfully stand for God and take the persecution that will result.
"And when they had brought them [the apostles], they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (Acts 5:27-42).
The apostles had been commanded by the government to quit preaching. However, they continued because this was a law that contradicted God’s law. When it comes down to that, we are to say along with Peter: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” We can see what the result was, and how the Lord blessed them.
Other examples include when the people were commanded to bow down to the golden image (Dan 3) or when no one was supposed to pray for 30 days (Dan 6).
None of these men of God wanted to disobey God in order to serve men, so they respectfully stood for what the believed. They did no go to the place where the king was and have a demonstration, nor did they go and kill the king. That would have been a bad testimony. Yes, they did suffer persecution, but so what?
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12).
C. BE INFORMED ON CURRENT ISSUES
This is very important, because if we do not know what is going on, we cannot possibly vote in an intelligent manner, and one vote could make all the difference in the world. Know what the issues are, and know what the candidates believe!
D. WRITE TO OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
We in America have a privilege that has been granted to us by our government. That is, we have the freedom of speech. When we disapprove of something, we can write to our representatives and tell them why we disapprove of it.
We have been too quiet too long, and I believe that we can make a difference. You may think that nothing we say could make a difference. However, this nation was founded upon that which we believe today. America was formed as a Christian nation! Just look at these quotes:
"The
religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His
apostles...to this we owe our free constitutions of government."
-Noah
Webster (1758-1843), US lexicographer (dictionary maker)
"It
is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
-George
Washington (1732-1799), 1st President of America
"I
have said, and always will say that the studious perusal of the sacred volume
[the Bible] will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands."
-Thomas
Jefferson (1743-1826), 3d President of US
"So
great is my veneration for the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read
it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of
their country and respectable members of society. I have for many years made
it a practice to read through the Bible once every year."
-John
Quincy Adams (1767-1848), 6th President of US
"That
book [the Bible], sir, is the Rock upon which our republic rests."
-Andrew
Jackson (1767-1845), 7th President of US
"...There
are a good many problems before the American people today, and before me as
President , but I expect to find the solution of those problems just in the
proportion that I am faithful in the study of the Word of God..."
-Woodrow
Wilson (1856-1924), 28th President of US
"I
feel a comprehensive study of the Bible is a liberal [well-rounded] education
for anyone. Nearly all of the great men of our country have been well versed
in the teachings of the Bible."
-Franklin
D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), 32nd President of the US.
"Of
the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation
and people, none may be said to be more foundational and enduring than the Bible."
-Ronald
Reagan (1911-2004), 40th President of the US
"Honour
all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (1
Peter 2:17)