The Earnest Contender

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

What is the Christian's Responsibility to Government?

V. What is the Christian's Responsibility to Government?

The Biblical Christian has several responsibilities to the civil government which God has ordained. Let’s take a moment to consider the following points from the Scriptures.

A. We are to support it (Rom. 13:1-7)
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.

B. We are to submit to it (Titus 3:1-2)
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

C. We are to honor it (1Pet. 2:13-17)
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.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

D. We are to pray for it (1Tim. 2:1-6)
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.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Next post: What is the Government's Responsibility to the Church?

18 Comments:

Must the Christian always sumbit?

Is this speaking of government in general or all governments?

'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.'

Could this actually be said of all governments?

Could we have said that 'Saddam Hussein is not a terror to those who do good works?' Was Saddame Hussein a 'minister of God?'

I think we need to place the submission of a Christian to higher powers in the context of the responsibilties of the government. Submission to rulers is not necessarilly a duty if rulers are acting outside of their responsibilities.

BTW, do you think the American War of Independence was characterised by sumbmission to rulers and authorities?

Every Blessing in Christ

Matthew

By Matthew Celestine, at 18/4/06 9:52 AM
>BTW, do you think the American War of Independence was characterised by sumbmission to rulers and authorities?<

A very good question Matt. One that I have wrestled with and the issue of Manifest Destiny. Have you ever read the Light And the Glory? I am very greatful for my American Heritage yet realize that we carried much sin with us in many areas including Slavery. I think sometimes God winks. I hate to use that expression but you guys were pretty hard on us:-)

Hey I used to be in a British School when I lived in Hong Kong in the 70's. The teacher asked the Americans to raise their hands one day(2 of us) and she railed at us and said, "Your theives!"

Hey we weren't but 8 or 9 years old and really all the history I knew of was of Sir Lancelot of the Lake and some of the Lore that went along with it. So long ago.

By Bhedr, at 18/4/06 11:41 PM
Hi Matthew,

In the same passage that Peter declared, “…We ought to obey God rather than men…”(v29). We find them submitting to the authorities because they “…brought them without violence…” (v.26), they obeyed God and were beaten for it. They submitted without compromise.

This principal can be found throughout the Scriptures Hezekiah, Esther, Daniel, and the apostles are fine examples of this. I find it intriguing that Daniel dealt with Belshazzar in a much different manner than Nebuchadnezzar yet in submission.

I feel that before Christians jump right into civil disobedience, diplomacy without compromise should be attempted. I don’t think my voice would be long for this world if I lived under the dictatorship of Sodom Hussein.

As far as the American War of Independence… I don’t know. What is the common British attitude and what are your thoughts on this?

brother John

By J. Wendell, at 19/4/06 5:59 AM
Hi Brian,

That is very interesting; I appreciate your perspective on this one, as there are a great number of subjects that I am not on top of.

brother John

By J. Wendell, at 19/4/06 5:59 AM
John,

A Great Post! I like your emphasis on Romans 13 and 1Tim.2.

In your comments, I like how you point out that the apostles knew that they were breaking the law by sharing the gospel, and were prepared to pay the price without complaint.

By mark pierson, at 19/4/06 7:06 AM
Most people in Britain know nothing about the American War of Independance. I doubt most of you know much about our Civil War either.

The question is, whether it is ever right to take up arms against a government. Luther said no. Samuel Rutherford and most Calvinists said yes.

Calvinists tend to view the obediance of Christians to the state as conditional upon the state fulfiling its responsiblities. Hence, the Puritans opposed the king in our civil war.

Every Blessing in Christ

Matthew

By Matthew Celestine, at 19/4/06 12:15 PM
Hi Mark,

Thank you for your words of encouragement. The flip side of all this is that the apostle Peter would be breaking a higher law if he preached NOT the gospel.

I am interested in what you and others may say to any or all of the following questions too:

What are some other ways we can peacefully defend the First Amendment and religious liberty?

More specifically:

What are ways you and I can get involved in government?

What ways can we affect our communities for good?

What can we do to encourage godly politicians?

Any ideas?

brother John

By J. Wendell, at 19/4/06 12:25 PM
Hi Matthew~
Thanks for your response.

I think this one will have to be marked down as a questian of individual soul liberty.

I can’t stand the idea of me protesting in front of abortion cliniqes. I would never say that those who do are not right though. Yet, even though one of them told me I was wrong for not doing so… he was wrong, for saying so.

blessings to you,
brother John

By J. Wendell, at 19/4/06 1:12 PM
The proper role of the church's involvement in government consists of this--boycotting everything, having politicians speak in our pulpits, having churches send in their membership roles to Republican campaign directors, churches issuing voter guides, cancelling regular church services to talk about filibusters and supreme court justices, and for good measure, praying by flagpoles. But since we're already doing this, I guess our job is done here.

By jeff, at 19/4/06 2:17 PM
LOL~ Jeff,
I'm glad you came by and straightened this mess up. It is refreshing when some one can articulate exactly what I was saying in this post. :~)

Thanks
brother John

By J. Wendell, at 19/4/06 3:11 PM
i do think that there are times when christians think that the government doesnt have any moral responsibility because of this. they take on the attitude that gov and church should be separate to the point where they can turn a blind eye on things like abortion. i know we are supposed to look to a higher authority but what then of our role to try and help shape laws that have morality at the heart of them? As someone planning on becoming a lawyer I struggle with this one...

By Nunzia, at 19/4/06 4:45 PM
Hi Nunzia~
Welcome back, you have sincerely hit the nail on the head and gained even more of my respect. If you missed my last post give it a quick read it’s only four or five short paragraphs. You are on the right track. I think Bible believing Christians should do what ever they can to affect our government at all levels for the greater good of humanity and our own self preservation.

I wish I had taken life more seriously when I was a young person. You are planning on becoming a lawyer this is great! I encourage you to do it with you whole heart as unto the Lord. There are many fields that need Christian influence. I have recently been told that the hard sciences lack the interest of young Americans, let alone Christians.

BTW I hate abortion too.

brother John

By J. Wendell, at 19/4/06 6:24 PM
John, I am going to have to admit that I am clueless! I used to be a member of The Christian Coalition and related type ministry's.

Right now I must wonder what Paul would say. Beyond prayer I do not know what he would suggest.

All I can do now is sit back and watch what your other readers have to say. I just don't know.

By mark pierson, at 20/4/06 12:27 AM
1. Express our opinions to the people with whom they count: lawmakers and the executive branch.

2. Use all legally and morally right available resources to influence society.

3. Win lots of politicians to Christ.

4. Take up arms or engage in civil disobedience as a method of last, last, last resort.

By Joe, at 20/4/06 6:45 AM
Thanks brother Blue,
I agree with you and I appreciate your honesty too.

As I was thinking about what you said, further thoughts came to me (probably because I slept in this morning and don’t have time to develop theses thoughts for a post).

You and I may not be able, in our station in life, to go back to school and “do it all over again”, but we can encourage the young people in our local church to higher learning.

We may not have the capitol and means to run for an office, but we can talk to candidates and support those who stand firm on issues important to us.

We may not be able to change the world, but we can witness and bear testimony that the Christ Jesus died on the cross according to the Scriptures, was buried and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.

We may not be able to get an idea or a message to the Whitehouse, but (as you pointed out) in Christ we have a direct line to God… prayer.

Now, energized and encouraged by your visit Mark, I am going off to my God given assignment as a Missionary cleverly disguised as a Letter Carrier by God’s grace.

Blessings abound,
brother John

By J. Wendell, at 20/4/06 6:55 AM
Joe,

Thank you, very well put. I concur. We all need that encouragement to get involved in any way we can.

brother John

By J. Wendell, at 20/4/06 7:02 AM
John: "What can we do to encourage godly politicians?"

Write to your leaders from local to state. Make your concerns known. Hold them accountable. Educate yourself and others of the laws and your rights as a citizen. (I'm speaking to myself here as well.) Support those who stand for godly principles. Rally support.

Matthew: "BTW, do you think the American War of Independence was characterised by sumbmission to rulers and authorities?"

Matthew, here is what our founders (the vast majority were Christians and even the ones who were least religious (e.g., Jefferson and Franklin) preferred the Christian religion and took God very seriously) had to say about the revolution. The very much felt that their separation from the mother country was bibilically justified and that they had God's blessing.

"We finally beg leave to assert that the first planters of these colonies were pious Christians; were faithful subjects; who, with a fortitude and perseverance little known and less considered, settled these wild countries by God’s goodness and their own amazing labors [and] thereby added a most valuable dependence to the crown of Great-Britain; were ever dutifully subservient to her interests; so taught their children that not one has been disaffected to this day; but all
have honestly obeyed every royal command and cheerfully submitted to every constitutional law; . . . have carefully avoided every offensive measure . . . have never been troublesome or expensive to the mother country; have kept due order and supported a regular government; have maintained peace and practiced Christianity; and in all conditions and in every relation have demeaned themselves as loyal, as dutiful, and as faithful subjects ought; and that no kingdom or state hath, or ever had, colonies more quiet, more obedient, or more profitable, than these have ever been." --Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration and the Governor of Rhode Island

"On the part of America, there was not the most distant thought of
subverting the government or of hurting the interest of the people
of Great Britain; but of defending their own privileges from unjust
encroachment; there was not the least desire of withdrawing their
allegiance from the common sovereign [King George III] till it
became absolutely necessary—and indeed, it was his own choice." --John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence

"There is One above us who will take exemplary vengeance for every
insult upon His majesty. You know that the cause of America is just.
You know that she contends for that freedom to which all men are
entitled—that she contends against oppression, rapine, and more
than savage barbarity. The blood of the innocent is upon your hands,
and all the waters of the ocean will not wash it away. We again make our solemn appeal to the God of heaven to decide between you and
us. And we pray that, in the doubtful scale of battle, we may be
successful as we have justice on our side, and that the merciful Saviour of the world may forgive our oppressors." --Samuel Adams, the Father of the American Revolution

"We, therefore, the Congress of the United States of America, do
solemnly declare and proclaim that. . . . [w]e appeal to the God who searcheth the hearts of men for the rectitude of our intentions; and in His holy presence declare that, as we are not moved by any light or hasty suggestions of anger or revenge, so through every possible change
of fortune we will adhere to this our determination." --Samuel Adams

[T]here was no anarchy. . . . [T]he people of the North American
union, and of its constituent States, were associated bodies of
civilized men and Christians in a state of nature, but not of anarchy. They were bound by the laws of God, which they all, and by the laws of the Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledged as the rules of their conduct." --John Quincy Adams

By Dawn, at 25/4/06 12:20 PM
Jeff: "The proper role of the church's involvement in government consists of this--boycotting everything, having politicians speak in our pulpits, having churches send in their membership roles to Republican campaign directors, churches issuing voter guides, cancelling regular church services to talk about filibusters and supreme court justices, and for good measure, praying by flagpoles. But since we're already doing this, I guess our job is done here."

I understand where you're coming from, but I don't see anything wrong with the church doing some of these things as long as it is extra cirricular. I.e., having "godly" political speakers, passing out voter guides, etc. We can't just throw the baby out with the bathwater. Afterall, We're not living in a vacuum just because we're Christians. While this IS our temporary home I do believe we are responsible for how we live and let live in this life.

By Dawn, at 25/4/06 12:33 PM