During this season of Covid-19, many issues have surfaced, including some that are not medical or health-related. Among the many issues, concerns have risen by many regarding the potential overreach of governing leaders in our nation and even our own state. There have been instances of heavy-handed orders set forth and enforced that appear to challenge constitutional rights as citizens, including Christians.
As elders, we have fielded questions and deep concerns presented by many of you. As a result, the elders have had multiple conversations, have done some research, sought counsel, and have prayed as to the way forward for us as a church family.
We concluded that we need to educate, equip, and empower our church family to think rightly.
The Scriptures are not silent regarding the human government and God’s people. In fact, the Scriptures provide ample accounts of governments and governing authorities interacting with God’s people. And, the Bible speaks directly to the responsibility of God’s people toward governments, and visa-versa.
For some, politics and the Christian faith should not mix. We hear that there is the separation of Church and State. We have heard it said, “That if you leave politics alone it will leave you alone.” That is not the case.
The accounts of the interactions between God’s people and government are prolific in Scripture and in the history of the world. Much of the time, there has been tension between governing authorities and God’s people.
By giving Scripture careful thought, and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal biblical truth, the believer can form a godly worldview concerning his or her responsibility to government and government’s role.
It is interesting to note that the New Testament writings on government were written by men living under the Roman Empire. Roman emperors were known for their ungodly character and actions, and brutality against humanity, including Christians.
We will look at 10 biblical principles that undergird the Christian’s responsibility to government and governing authorities, and government to its citizens. This article will address the first six.
The first two principles we find in Romans 13:1-2.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” —Romans 13:1-2(see also Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-17).
Principle #1 - Our Responsibility to Submit to Governing Authorities
The first thing that is apparent from these verses is that the Christian should not have a rebellious, antagonistic attitude toward our leaders. Christians are to submit to governing authorities.
The Christian’s fundamental posture toward government officials according to the Scriptures is to be submissive and obedient. The Christian should look for ways to obey government authorities. It is healthy for corporate society and individuals.
Principle # 2 - God is the Ultimate Authority
The priority principle, though we have it listed as second in the list, is that God is the ultimate authority in the universe. All authorities who are in power are to see themselves as God’s delegated authorities, and thereby responsible to God for their leadership of the people.
When we resist authorities, we resist God. When we honor governing authorities, we honor God. And, there will be consequences good and bad for our attitudes and actions toward governing authorities. Because, in reality, they are toward God.
We can rest in the fact that nothing takes place unless God causes or allows it to happen. There was an example of this reality when Pilate interrogated Jesus. > “So, Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” —John 19:10-11 (ESV)
God’s sovereignty applies not only to Pilate of Jesus’ day but to every authority in the universe in all of time.
The next three principles are found in the following text.
“For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” —Romans 13:3-4
Principle #3 - Government’s Primary Purpose is to Restrain Evil and Uphold Good
The third principle is that the government’s primary purpose is to restrain evil and uphold good. This responsibility is to include providing just punishment and consequence to those who commit evil in actions or in words.
The government has a responsibility to represent God and to promote the fullness of life and liberty that He intended. The Psalmist said regarding God,
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” —Psalm 89:14
The Queen of Sheba told Solomon that because of God’s love for Israel He made Solomon king to maintain justice and righteousness.
The authorities in the human government are to represent God, His character, and His values in their leadership.
We will see later that when a government becomes an agent of evil and imposes evil upon its subjects, citizens are not obligated to obey and support such activity. In fact, civil disobedience can be in order.
Principle #4 - Responses to Governing Authorities have Consequences
To comply with and obey authorities results in receiving approval and favor from your leaders.
Resisting government authority may bring severe consequences because, as verse four states, the government bears a sword for the disobedient.
The government has the responsibility to provide order, which requires laws and enforcement of those laws. So, whether there is obedience or disobedience to those laws will determine whether you live in peace and favor or punishment.
How we view leaders should influence how we regard our leaders as we will see in principle 5.
Principle #5 - Authorities are God’s Servants
Government authorities are identified as servants of God. Some governing authorities may not recognize this truth, but it is reality. Our regard and response to authorities, in reality, is regard and response toward God. This is because our authorities are delegated by God. It is critical for us to remember that governing authorities are God’s servants. It is critical for governing authorities to remember they will answer to God.
The sixth principle is found in our next text.
“Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” —Romans 13:5-7
Principle #6 - Support and Honor Government Authorities
The believer’s conscience must be involved in any response to the government authorities, whether in obedience or disobedience. Our conscience should be guided by the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.
When God’s will and the human government’s will conflict, our allegiance must be to God. We cannot deny our God-directed conscience. Our conscience must be engaged in our actions and reactions to our authorities.
In this text, we see that taxes are ordained by God (sorry about that one friends). Governing authorities are set apart by God, and citizens are to support them in their role not only in submission but financially.
Also, not only are the leaders to be supported by taxes so they can be dedicated to their work, but they are also to receive honor and respect from us. While we may not always agree with their positions or decision, we are to honor them due to God’s placing them in their role.
Summary
We covered the first six principles. Our next article will finish the final four. That will be followed by instruction on the government structure of the United States of America. Then, finally, we will conclude with relevant application to the current and possible future circumstances in which we could find ourselves.
Richest blessings,
Mike