Government is God’s idea; not mankind’s. We are to be subject to the authority of government out of respect to the institution God gives us. Paul wrote the book of Romans to Christians telling them (among other things) about our role with government. The authority that government has over our lives is an authority that God established. We are subject to this authority and cannot relieve ourselves of it without incurring the just penalty of our rebellion. This lesson is hard for some to learn but as modern-day Christians, we have an obligation to understand it and to practice it.
Maybe you recall the days when Jesus was about to be born. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth but had to travel to Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus declared that all the world should be taxed (Luke 2:1). Both Mary and Joseph were great-gggg-grandchildren of King David and Jesus was David’s heir. But as Jesus was Born the son of God (from Mary; not Joseph), he was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem. This would not have occurred if Caesar had not made his declaration. God used the pagan king to fulfill prophesy.
This pagan king, Caesar Augustus, would of course die one day but would later be deified as a god. Throughout the Roman empire, temples were erected to the cult of Caesar and the worshippers who worshipped him as king and god were called Augustinians. In the city of Antioch, there was one such cult center. Also, in this city were those who worshipped Jesus Christ as both the King of kings and God. These believers in Christ were first call Christians in Antioch. By this new name given to them (a slander at the time), they were seen as defying the state cult of Caesar. They were given the alternate name of Christians to put them at odds with the Augustinians. Christian, was a derisive term meant to ridicule and mock these people as well as put them at political odds with the State of Rome.
Paul was himself a Roman citizen who became a believer in Jesus and went to Antioch where he launched his many traveling tours of the Roman empire. From his journeys he shared the Gospel of Christ. His travels would eventually lead him to enter Rome and he wrote a letter to the Romans that they had an obligation to do what is right to achieve what is right. These Christians knew that the pagan state of Rome was not holy but the political zeal they may have had was tempered by what Paul wrote in Romans 12:21:
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
If by violence you can overcome your adversary, what have you done but replaced an evil doer with a greater evil doer?! One cannot succeed by doing what is wrong. You have to do what is right to achieve what is right!
In Romans 13, Paul continues to show us that if we resist the government, we are resisting the authority of God. In Romans 13 we read:
1 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.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 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:
4 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.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Paul made it clear, the government is supposed to hold people accountable for their behavior not their beliefs. If we resist the power of government, we are resisting the work God established them to do. We are to be subject to the authorities and not rebellious. But that doesn’t mean we have to be blind about how some people in government behave.
Paul also told us in the book of Ephesians that people in government are not always doing the work of God. In Ephesians 6 we read:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We are not fighting a physical battle with those in government who may work against believers in Christ; we’re fighting a spiritual battle against spiritual darkness. Reference the terms ‘principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places.’ These terms refer to government and political authorities who are not doing the work God authorized them to do but to the minions of spiritual darkness. We must understand that people in government can do things that are ungodly. But we are not to use violence as a means of overcoming our adversary.
The spiritual battle ahead of us is one that requires us to be on our knees in prayer. We cannot use the weapons of warfare that are carnal. We can only pull-down strongholds through the Spirit of Christ by faith in Jesus Christ. Our war, more often than not, is to behave ourselves first and foremost. When called upon to share, we share God’s love with the convicting message of redemption. And always remember, God will enable us to serve his righteousness, not our sin.
The events at the Capitol underscores the need to understand our duties with God and Government. Recall that while Rome burned, Nero played the fiddle and later claimed that it was the Christians who started the fire. Many Christians suffered from the aftermath at Nero’s hand being killed by lions in the coliseum and set on fire to light the streets. This was not the work of a government dedicated to God but acts reflecting the work of the devil.
We must be clear that the secular world around us will accuse Christians of almost anything. We cannot lend ourselves to disobey government when obedience is not immoral. We must obey the government in many things (as the Church already does). The point to remember is that the devil will use any insurrection not matter how small (even if untrue) to cast Christians in a negative light. We must not give our adversary rope to hang us with.
Finally, let’s remember to pray for those who have the rule over us. As 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says:
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour
We are all saddened by the recent events at the Capitol but we need to recall our duty to obey God via his agency of the government. We must also be wise as serpents and harmless as doves knowing that some people inside government twist their offices for some dark purpose. We should continue to obey the law while voicing our concerns. We give honor to God as we do this.
Please pray with me:
Dear God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the forgiveness of our sins, which Jesus paid at the Cross. Thank you that you love us enough to take us as we are and lead us to where we need to be. Thank you for helping us with our lives and our daily needs.
Dear God, please help our nation find its way to you. To find the path of sincere love and righteousness. Help our government officials, among them being Donald Trump and Joseph Biden, to hear from heaven. Give them light to see and strength to stand; upholding the law for the justice of the oppressed and the judgement of the wicked.
Dear God, please help me find the path of your choosing. Not to exercise myself according to my own ability but to follow the leadership of your Holy Spirit. Keep me in your hand, guiding me throughout my day and my life. Thank you for your love and your leadership. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!
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