The Christian and Government

THE CHRISTIAN AND GOVERNMENT In light of the fact that the American people are gradually losing many of their freedoms, it becomes necessary that we look to the Bible to find out what a Christian's attitude should be concerning his govern¬ment.  As we look into many passages of Scripture it will be important to remember that every writer was under a dictatorial monarchy at the time of his inspirational writing.  Some examples would be; Daniel under the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and Peter, Paul, Jude, and others under the harsh rule of the Romans.  We will break our study into five sections and give various Scriptures for each section. I. How does Government get its power? According to Romans 13:1 there is "no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."  The Bible does not make an exception for communist or democratic governments but simply states they are put there by God.  God not only appoints the government but he turns it and guides it according to His will.  Proverbs 21:1 says, "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Many times rulers who become proud over their accomplishments must be taught that their success is based on the Power from Above.  In Daniel 4:24-26 King Nebuchadnezzar had to be humiliated to eat grass like the oxen for seven years until he learned "that the most High ruleth in the king¬dom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will....after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule."  Pilate, who spoke boastfully about his ability to crucify or release our Lord Jesus Christ, was told by the Son of God, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above." (John 19:10,11).  The Bible clearly teaches that all governments, whether good or bad, were put there by God.  This is not to say that God approves of the bad government, but rather, he allows the bad government to be in power. II. What is Government supposed to do? The supreme responsibility of any government upon earth is to exercise capital punishment. In the beginning of the dispensation of Human Government, the Lord gives His command concerning capital punishment, "And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man' s brother will I require the life of man.  Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" (Gen. 9:5,6).  In Exodus 21:12 God gives instruction concerning murder, "He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death."  Should one say, "Capital Punishment was only for those in the Old Testament age," the example and suggestion of the Apostle Paul in Acts 25:10-11 should be sufficient.  When the imprisoned Paul stood in his own defense before Festus, he said, "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 they accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them."  The other responsibility of government is to punish evildoers.  I Peter 2:14 says, "or unto Govern¬ors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well."  Romans 13:4 says, "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."  If a Christian breaks the speed limit, or refuses to pay his taxes, he can expect to be punished for his evil doings. III. What should be the Christian's duty to his Government? The responsibility of every Christian is to subject himself unto the higher powers, and to submit to every ordinance of man.  In Romans 13:5 it says, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers."  A Christian should never rationalize away his responsibility to be in subjection to any man that God has put over him.  Romans 13:5 says, "Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."  In I Peter 2:13,14 it tells the Christian to "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."  It is bad for the testimony of the church when a Fundamental preacher gets in¬volved in civil disobedience.  Due to their bad testimony, many Christians have lost their ability to testify for the Lord.  In I Peter 2:15 it says, "For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men."  Titus 3:1 says, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work."  Every Christian is to obey the Laws of the Land not only for the Lord's sake, but in order to have a good testimony among men.  This instruction includes the paying of taxes.  The Lord Jesus Christ in Mark 12:17 says, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."  The Apostle Paul says in Romans 15:7, "Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, cus¬tom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour." Every Christian ought to honour and respect the powers that are over him.  I Peter 2:17 says, "Honour all men, Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."  One may say, "well, I did not vote for the President, and I do not like him."  You did not vote for the sun to rise every morning, nor did you vote to be born.  Disrespect and evil words concerning government officials or Presidents, Dictators, Tyrants, Emperors or whomever, is outright SIN.  Even the angels in Heaven do not speak evil of dignities on the earth.  II Peter 2:10,11 says, "But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government.  Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, 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."  Disrespect for government is a sign of the end times, "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominions, and speak evil of dignities" (Jude 8).  In Acts 23, the example of the Apostle Paul ought to teach us a lesson.  Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin and he pleaded his innocency.  At that time the High Priest, Ananias, commanded them that stood by to smite Paul.  Paul with haste reviled the Priest with words, but when he learned who it was that he spoke to, he immediately confessed his wrong doings, "I wist not brethren, that he was the High Priest, for it is written, thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people" (Acts 23:5).  Later, Paul instructs Titus to teach the people "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men" (Titus 3:2). One last duty which the Christian has for his government, and the most important one, is to pray for his leaders.  When was the last time you prayed for your President, Congressman, Mayor, and Policeman?  In I Tim. 2:1-4 it says, "I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercession, 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."  There are three reasons in these verses why Christians ought to pray for their government (1) that we might live quiet and peaceable lives (2) it is the will of God that we pray (3) God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.  Some Christians, who refuse to obey God's Word concerning their duty to their government, say "While Christians are on their knees praying, the Communists will shoot them in the back."  I would like to say to them, "I would rather be shot in the back praying for my government, than living in freedom disobeying God's Word."  I will not preach that Prayer is a guarantee for freedom, as some preachers have done, using Old Testament Scriptures which apply to Israel; but I do believe that Christians need to obey God's Word and get on their knees, praying for their country with all Faith and sincerity. IV. What should Christians do when Government curtails your service for God? The purpose for living, which Jesus Christ gave to every Christian before ascending into heaven, is found in Matt. 28:19,20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  If your government no longer allows you to preach the gospel, or to baptize believers, or to teach the doctrines of the Word of God, then you must take the example of Peter and John, who were commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:18-20)  Again, "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 5.40-42).  If your government commands that you do something contrary to God' s Word, you must obey God rather than man. V. What should a Christian do to fight Communism? A Christian should not feel that speaking against Communism is the same as speaking evil of government.  The Communist cause and final goal is not only a political end but also an anti-God philosophy.  Any political system that seeks to get rid of the Bible and faith in Jesus Christ needs to be exposed.  You may wonder how far a Christian should go in exposing the errors of Communism and its rapid takeover of the world.  I have five points, which might help in informing the Christian and others of the threat of Communism.  The first four points are taken from. Thomas E. Baker's book, "Christ and the Even Balance", p.128-l3l.  (1) Every Christian ought to avail himself of as much literature on the subject as he can read.  (2) The Pastor can say a few words here and there regarding the threat of Communism from the pulpit.  A word of caution is needed at this point.  A preacher must not leave preaching the Word in order to expose Communism.  The pulpit should not be¬come a political platform, but rather remain a Gospel lighthouse.  (3) Each Christian voter should try to understand the various political ideas of the candidates for whom he will vote.  (4) Every Christian citizen should back our government when there is direct military confrontation with the Commun¬ists.  (5) Every Christian ought to be a member of a good Bible preaching, Fundamental, Independent, Local church.  Many Christians, in their zeal to fight Communism, neglect the importance of the local church.  No Christian should allow a club or organization to keep him from serving the Lord in his local church.  To go a step further, a Christian ought not to be a vol¬untary member of an organization in which he must yoke up together with unbelievers in order to fight the Communist threat, or to gain social reforms (I Co. 6:14-18).  In this day and age more than ever, every Christian needs to be faithfully attending and fulfilling the Great Commission in his Local Church (Heb. 10:25, Matt. 28:18-20). Pastor Gary L. Freeman <<Back