Christians Relationship to Civil Government

CHRISTIANS RELATIONSHIP TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT

Introduction:

Our topic for consideration is: CHRISTIANS RELATIONSHIP TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

We have been privileged, for the most part, to live in a nation which has provided us religious freedom. However, in recent years there seems to be a movement to curtail our religious freedom. There seems to be more hostility against Christianity now days than in the past. It appears that our civil government and a large segment of society are going out of their way to accommodate most religions, except Christianity.

Discussion:

WE ARE TAUGHT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT TO OBEY THE LAWS OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

The Apostle Paul, in writing an inspired letter unto the church of Christ at Rome gave in what we know as the thirteenth chapter of Romans the Christians responsibilities unto civil government. It has been referred to as “the citizenship chapter.”

Listen to his words at:

Rom. 13:1-7:

1 Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but of God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God.

2 So that the one resisting the authority resists the ordinance of God; and the ones who resist will receive judgment to themselves.

3 For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the bad. And do you desire to be not afraid of the authority? Do the good, and you shall have praise from it.

4 For it is a servant of God to you for good. For if you practice evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, a revenger for wrath on him who does evil.

5 Therefore you must be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

6 For because of this you also pay taxes. For they are God's servants, always giving attention to this very thing.

7 Therefore give to all their dues; to the one due tax, the tax; tribute to whom tribute is due, fear to whom fear is due, and honor to whom honor is due.

We rightly speak of all faithful Christians as being ministers of God. In that passage the Apostle Paul speaks of public officials and officers of the law as being ministers of God. In other words, they are serving in the capacity which is according to the Will of God.
There would be anarchy in a nation if it had no civil government. Yes, Christians are to submit to the laws of civil government. This included the period when the Roman Empire was very hostile toward Christianity. The Apostle Paul speaks of a certain element of lawlessness prevalent in society. Whereas the KJV uses the word “iniquity” in the following Scripture the ASV uses the word “lawlessness.”

II Thess. 2:7, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”

Other passages of Scripture teach these same things.

The Apostle Peter stated at:

I Pet. 2:17, “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

II Pet. 2:9-11, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.”

The apostle was pointing out that certain low class in society do not respect any form of government. He especially refers to those whose lifestyle pertains to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness. No doubt this refers to perverted sex. Such would resent any restrains by the government against their way of life.
Notice Peter pointed out angels did not have the right to make railing accusations against evil dignities (evil government officials). Only the Lord has the right and authority to condemn anyone unto eternal damnation, including evil dignities.

GOD SOMETIMES USED EVIL RULERS AND NATIONS TO ACTUALLY PUNISH HIS CHOSEN WHEN THEY REBELLED AGAINST HIS WILL.

Many evil rulers of the Old Testament era did not realize God was using them to carry out His Will.

Assyria was the axe in God's hand to destroy many nations, though its ruler did not know that there is no power (authority) but of God and the powers that be is ordained of God. He had no intention of serving God (Isa 10:5-7), but he was God's axe and saw. Back in Isaiah 7:20 Assyria was identified as "God's razor,” other examples of the recurrence of this metaphor identify such wicked powers as "God's bows" (Isaiah 13:17), "God's battle-ax" (Jeremiah 51:20), and "God's arrows" (Jeremiah 51:11). At first Nebuchadnezzar did not know God, but was called God's servant (Jer. 25:9). Cyrus was the same way (Ezra 1 and Isa 44:28-45:4).

CHRISTIANS SHOULD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BEFORE OTHERS AS BEING GOOD CITIZENS.

This includes praying for the officials of civil government.

I Tim. 2:1-4, “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 Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

The overall context indicates that our prayers are that in the providence of God we will be able to live as Christians without being hindered by our government. The ultimate goal is to reach out unto all men with the gospel of Christ.
While a prisoner at Rome the Apostle Paul may have converted some of Caesar’s household. Now these may have been soldiers, servants, or even blood related to the Emperor. More than likely it was soldiers who guarded Paul while he was under house arrest (Acts 28:16-31; Phil. 4:22).

I believe the following passage teaches that Christians, as individuals, not collectively as the church, can be actively involved in the government in which they live under.

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, showing all meekness unto all men.”

The phrase “be ready to every good work” seems to have reference to the immediate charge to be in subject to civil authorities. As long as our activities in relation to civil government are in harmony with Biblical principles then Christians are encouraged to be involved as good citizens. This could include running for public office. After all, those in public office serve in that capacity as ministers of God (Rom. 13:1-7).

SHOULD WE EVER REFUSE TO OBEY SOME LAWS OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT?

The answer is “Yes!” if the laws of civil government directly violate God’s laws.

Acts 5:26-29, “Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, 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.”

Rev. 2:10, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

What Jesus was telling Christians do not renounce Him as being the Son of God! They were to remain faithful even if it meant being executed.

WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE OUR CITIZENSHIP IN THE NATION IN WHICH WE LIVE.

The Apostle Paul did exercise his rights as a Roman citizen.

On more than one occasion Paul pointed out his rights as a Roman citizen had been violated or he actually demanded his rights as a citizen.

Philippi – Acts 16:36-37, “And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.”
Jerusalem – Acts 22:24-29, “The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.”
Caesarea – Acts 25:8-10, “While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended anything at all. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.”

In our nation we have the legal right to exercise our rights to peacefully protest our government.

This includes writing letters to elected officials expressing our favor or disfavor of laws in consideration, etc.
There is certainly nothing wrong in sending letters to newspaper editors and other public media expressing protest for government action in which we strongly disapprove.
We have the right as citizens of our nation to participate in having part in getting fellow citizens to sign a petition for the purpose of recalling one from office who has been derelict in carrying out his or her duties.
As citizens we have the right to participate in voting for the candidate of our choice in a free election.

It is my conviction that the inspired Scripture, provides us the right to express our grievances of our civil government’s action or lack of action pertaining to a given matter. After all, the Apostle Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen.
One might also consider the strong statements ofthe Apostle John in the Revelation that most likely refer to Rome (i.e., the government of Rome as embodied in its rulers) under such terms as "the mother of harlots." Did John violate the principle of subjection to or honoring "the powers that be" or like statements from Paul or Peter relative to rulers?

The church of our Lord is not involved in carnal warfare, but a spiritual one.

As Christians we are not to participate in violence to overthrow our government. Instead, we are to promote principles in harmony with the Will of God to influence our government and society (Eph. 6:10-17).

10 Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Therefore stand, having your loins girded 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, take the shield of faith, with which you 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.

Conclusion: We are to be good citizens in harmony with the Will of God in both His spiritual kingdom and as citizens of our nation.

–Dub Mowery, modified by Keith Sisman 2014