Government and the Christian

"And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you." – Judges 8:23

The purpose of this article is not to "prove" that our nation and government's style was setup on Christian principles. It was an established fact that can be found throughout many history books and documents from the early period of the founding of this country. It was setup on Christian principles, and the moral laws that followed from the Christian heritage is a fact. There will always be those that would attempt to deny this truth. Any true believing Christian would welcome a God fearing government. This would be the ideal government on earth. There is God's Kingdom and there is an earthly kingdom and we happen to be citizens of both.

A Christian from a Biblical perspective is one who is a follower of Christ. We can expand on that and say that it's one who is a follower of Christ as savior and Lord and has been born again by the work of Christ alone. Moreover, by His free grace apart from any works we could have done.

Government is from a Biblical perspective rule over people set up by God for the exercise of law and order and to restrain evil and wickedness. Government from a civil or secular perspective is as follows: authoritative direction or control, the continuous exercise of authority over and the performance of functions for a political unit, a small group of persons holding simultaneously the principal political executive offices of a nation or other political unit and being responsible for the direction and supervision of public affairs.

Are we to be "political activists"? Are we to get involved in our government? Are we to occupy our time with correcting the government and our leaders? What is the proper behavior for the Christian and the Government?

In the beginning of the creation of mankind the form of government was a Theocracy. Genesis 1:1,26,28; 6:18; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Samuel 12:12.

"Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always." (Deuteronomy 11:1)

There was from the beginning, and as it is today, a challenge to God's laws. Exodus 1:15-22; 5:2; Psalms 2:2.

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Genesis 3:1)

God is the King, Lord, Ruler, Master of the universe.

"The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all." (Psalm 103:9)

"Behold, the nations [are] as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing… All nations before him [are] as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity." (Isaiah 40:15,17)

See also. Genesis 14:19; Exodus 3:8; 5:3-9; 9:29; 19:5; Numbers 24:19; 1 Samuel 2:10; 12:12; Job 12:18; Psalm 10:16; 11:4; 22:28; 45:6; 47:2,3,7,8; 48:1,2; 50:12; 59:13; 66:4; 68:29; 72:1,11; 74:12; 93:2; 95:3; 97:1; 98:6; 99:1,2,4; 145:11-13; 148:11-13; Isaiah 19:4; 24:21; 26:13; 33:22; 37:16; 41:2; 43:15; 49:7,23; 64:2; Jeremiah 10:7,10; 51:57; Ezekiel 20:33; 37:22; 38:23; 39:27; Daniel 3:44; 4:3,25,32,34,37; 5:21,23,26; 6:25,26; 7:9,14,27; Hosea 13:10; Obadiah 1:21; Micah 4:1,2,3,7; Habakkuk 2:5; 3:6; Zechariah 2:11; 8:22; 14:9,16; Malachi 1:14.

Men ruled governments

Genesis 41:33,34,40,41; 25:23; 45:9,26; 47:26; Exodus 2:14; Judges 8:22,23; 9:2; 2 Samuel 8:15-18; 1 Kings 4:5,6; Psalm 8:6; Isaiah 26:13; 28:14; Daniel 2:48; 6:1; 11:20,21; Hosea 8:4.

There were governors over the land

Genesis 42:6,30,33; 45:9,26; 1 Kings 18:3; Ezra 5:3; Nehemiah 2:7; 5:14,15; Jeremiah 40:5; Haggai 1:14; Malachi 1:8.

Heathen nations had kings

Genesis 10:8-10; 11:1-4; 14:1,17; 34:2; 36:31; 37:36; 40:1; Exodus 1:8,13; 3:19; Numbers 21:1,21; 22:10; Joshua 2:2; 9:1; 1 Kings 3:1; Ezra 1:1; 4:13; Psalm 37:35; 43:1; 68:11,12; 72:10; Nehemiah 2:7; Esther 1:3; Habakkuk 1:6,7,10.

Righteous kings

Genesis 14:18; 41:41; 2 Samuel 7:8; 23:3; 1 Kings 3:28; 10:9; Psalm 45:1; Proverbs 20:8; 30:31.

Israel had judges and kings

Judges 17:6; Ruth 1:1; 1 Samuel 8:5-7; Isaiah 1:26. Israel's first clamor for a king (1 Samuel 8:5-7). From Ruth 1:1 to Saul as king judges ruled Israel.

Men made men to serve them

Exodus 1:13; Ecclesiastes 8:9.

We must disobey government when it tries to supersede God's laws

Exodus 1:15-22; Ecclesiastes 8:2,4; Ezra 5:1,2,3; Esther 3:12-15; Daniel 3:14-18; 6:7,10,11. We should do as Esther did when wicked laws come down—pray for the people. And to influence laws that they can influence.

God's laws must be obeyed

Exodus 12:49,50; 19:5; 31:18; Leviticus 8:5; 18:3,4,5; 19:37; 25:18; 26:46; Deuteronomy 4:5-9; 5:10; 11:1; 1 Kings 3:3,14; Ezra 7:25; Nehemiah 9:26,27, 33-37 (the reason Israel went into captivity) Isaiah 51:4; Jeremiah 7:28; 17:20,22 36:20-25 (Government is not to reject God's word) 44:22,23.

God set up righteous leaders / judges

Exodus 18:13,21,22; 22:8,9; 24:1; Judges 2:16; 1 Samuel 4:18; 1 Kings 12:20; Psalm 105:20-22 (speaking of Joseph) Ezra 7:25; Isaiah 45:1; Daniel 6:23; Hosea 3:5.

God created His holy nation of believers Exodus 19:6.

Israel had wicked kings 1 Samuel 15:23

The beginning of the line of the kings. In rejecting God as their King and choosing another this was a digression first God, then judges, prophets, kings, and the Sanhedrin. 2 Samuel 2:4; 1:13; 2:12.

There was a time when no judges or rulers were in the land. Judges 18:1,7; 19:1; 21:25.

Just because a people or nation can win wars does not mean God is with them. Judges 18:27,30,31; 20:18,26,28; 1 Samuel 4:10,11.

Prophets rebuked kings that did evil and did not serve God.1 Kings 18:4,13,18; 19:2.

The righteous government funded the building of the temple and its repairs. 2 Kings 12:9-12.

They made relationships with the wicked nations. 1 Kings 3:1; 5:12.

Under David and proceeding, the government was ruled both by kings in political, civil, and religious affairs. The time came when Israel was ruled by foreign powers like the king of Persia, and they appointed governors to run the providence. A king, not of the line of David nor of Hebrew decent, rained over Israel because of disobedience see Esther 1:1,3.

What rulers are to practice. 1 Kings 10:9; 1 Chronicles 16:3; Proverbs 14:34,35; 16:10,12-15; 20:26,28; ch.23; 25:1-6; 29:4,12,14,26; 31:1,3,4,5; Ecclesiastes 10:17; Ezra 8:21; Isaiah 60:10,12; Jonah 3:6,7.

God is over kings, rulers, princes, and governors and has set them up for His purpose. Job 12:21,24; 34:29,30; 9:20; Psalm 76:12; 79:6; 82:8; 86:9; 110:5; 138:4; Proverbs 8:15,16; 21:1; Isaiah 29:10; 40:15,17,23; Jeremiah 5:9; 25:9,11,12,14,18-26; 20:5; 43:10; Daniel 2:21,37,38; Hosea 13:11.

God has His King—Jesus. Psalms 2:6; 45:6,11; 68:24; 89:27,29; Isaiah 9:6,7; 22:21; 32:1; 52:15; 55:4,5; 60:3,10; Ezekiel 37:22; Daniel 3:44; Zechariah 6:13; 9:10; 14:16.

Kings are to be humble. Jeremiah 13:18.

Kings are only men. Psalms 33:16; 146:3; Proverbs 14:28; 20:2; 23:1; Ecclesiastes 4:13,14; 5:9; 10:16; Malachi 1:8.

The wicked like power, being ruled by satan, they think they can destroy God's people. Psalms 37:35; Proverbs 28:28; 29:2; 2 Kings 21:11-15; Isaiah 52:5; Jeremiah 25:32; Daniel 3:1-30.

They were not to curse kings. Ecclesiastes 10:20.

We will have mercy from God in captivity. Ezra 9:8,9; Jeremiah 29:1,4-9,28; 30:11; 33:9; 42:9-17.

Leviticus is a sacerdotal system as compared to a civil system. In the sacerdotal system transference of the priesthood was passed on to the next son, then the sons son, and so on. Everything for life, laws, and well-being God lays down for us no government can make better laws than God.

It does not matter what government or laws are in place, we obey God's laws always. Deuteronomy 11:1 (prophecy of Israel asking a king) Deuteronomy 17:14-20 (the kings and their down fall) Deuteronomy 28:36,37.

God gives land or countries to whomever He wishes. Joshua 1:6,11; 2:9; 14:2; 11:19,20; Judges 6:8,9; Jeremiah 27:5; Daniel 4:25,32; Hosea 1:4.

Judges were raised up, not to take the place of God, but to be used of God for the good of His people. God was with kings as long as they were faithful to Him.

There will be a future restoration of the theocracy of God for all nations. Isaiah 2:2,5.

We must trust God before governments. Isaiah 31:1,3; 30:2,3; chapters 36,37.

The consequences if God judges a nation and it does not repent. Jeremiah 18:7-10; 47:1; 48:1; 49:1,7,30,32; 50:1; 51:19,20; Lamentations 2:2,9,14,17; 4:17; Ezekiel 14:13,15,17,19,21; 20:18,33; 29:15; 32:9,10,18; Joel 3:2; Micah 4:3; Zephaniah ch.1, 2 (judgment of the nations) 3:6; Haggai 2:22.

Presidents. Daniel 6:2,3.

Earthly government. Daniel ch.8.

Israel had a king at the time of Christ. Matthew 2:1,3,22; Luke 1:5; 13:31; 23:7.

God is the giver of earthly power. John 19:11; Romans 13:1-7; James 4:12.

God has His King and Governor- Jesus. Matthew 2:6; 21:5; 25:34,40; 27:11,29,37,42; Mark 15:2,18,26,32; Luke 19:38; 22:29; 23:2,3, 38; John 1:49; 12:13, 15; 18:36,37,39; 19:15,19,21; Acts 13:23; 17:7; 1 Corinthians 15:24,25; Philippians 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15; 2 Timothy 4:1,18; Hebrews 1:3,8; 7:1,2; 12:28; 1 Peter 4:11; 5:11; 2 Peter 1:11; Jude 1:25; Revelation 1:5,6,9; 4:2,11; 5:1,6,7,11-13; 7:9,10,11,12,15,17; 8:3; 11:15,17; 12:5,10; 14:3,14; 17:14; 19:4,5,12,15,16; 20:6,11; 21:5; 22:13.

Satan is, for a short time, the god of this world. Matthew 4:8,9; Luke 4:5,6; Revelation 9:11; 12:9; ch.13: 16:10; 20:7,8-10.

Governors and rulers. Luke 2:2; 3:1; 13:1; 22:25; 23:1,3; Acts 4:5; 13:7; 16:19-23; 23:24,26,33,34; 24:1,10; 25:11-14,23; 26:30,32; 2 Corinthians 11:32; Philippians 4:22; 1 Timothy 6:13; Revelation 6:15,16; 10:11; 16:19; 19:18.

Taxes were imposed upon people Christian and non-Christians. Luke 2:5; 5:27; 18:13; 20:20-25; 23:2; Romans 13:6.

Christians, in the midst of nations and governments, are to be light and salt. Matthew 5:13,14,16; Luke 6:27,28; 19:13; 22:29; Acts 16:25,35; Romans 13:1-7; Philippians 2:15; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:4; Titus 3:1.

The Roman government had occupation of Israel and had their government there. Matthew 8:5; 20:25; 27:2,11,14,23,27,54; Mark 10:42; 15:1,2,12; Luke 2:1; 3:1; 7:1-9; John 19:10,11; Acts 10:1,7,22.

We are to be wise in this present world. And we will have to give an answer for our faith at some point. Matthew 10:16,17,18; 11:2; 27:11,12,14; Mark 13:9; Luke 12:11; Acts 9:15; 22:25-29; 2 Timothy 2:2,3; Revelation ch.13.

A divided kingdom will not stand. Matthew 12:25; Mark 3:24; Luke 11:17; 18:14,27; 21:10.

Christians through out the New Testament were about God's business regardless of who was in power. Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31; Acts 4:18,19; 5:28,29; Hebrews 11:23,24,27,33.

Although a religious court tried Jesus first, it was the secular power that put Him to death. However, He really laid down His life.

We must follow laws intended for God. Matthew 17:24,25-27; 22:17-21; Hebrews 11:23; 1 Peter 2:13-17; 2 Peter 2:10; Jude 1:8.

Israel had an earthly king at the time of Jesus, but the Roman government was the real power in the land. Mark 6:23; Luke 7:1-9; Acts 11:28.

Wicked rulers and laws. Luke 31:1; Acts 12:1-6, 20-23; Revelation ch.13; 16:12,14; 17:1,2,4,5-13,14,15-18; ch.18; 19:18,19; 20:3.

God has His kingdom of believers as kings, priests, and heirs. 1 Corinthians 4:8; 6:2; James 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10; ch.21 (this is our true home and government).

A summery of both Old and New Testaments is as follows: God is the King, Ruler, Master, Governor, and Head of the universe. Before the fall it was a Theocracy. One day we will return to a Theocracy. We must obey God's law always. We must disobey government or rulers when they exert ungodly law that are fully contrary to the laws and moral commands of God. God has appointed the higher powers for His purpose to restrain evil in the world. Christians are to be salt and light in the world along with carrying out God's business of advancing the Kingdom of Christ while we live on the earth regardless of who is in power.

Are we to disobey laws, decrees, ordinances, etc. of men? Yes. When they directly contradict God's law!

"And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one [was] Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see [them] upon the stools; if it [be] a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it [be] a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women [are] not as the Egyptian women; for they [are] lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them." (Exodus 1:15-19)

"Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, [Is it] true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who [is] that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:14-18)

"All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God." (Daniel 6:7-11)

"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. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all [men] glorified God for that which was done." (Acts 4:18-21)

"…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." (Acts 5:28,29)

"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw [he was] a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment." (Hebrews 11:23)

We are to be about the business of the gospel—God's work. It matters not who is in power, or what government we may be under, as wicked as it may be with suffering and punishment we might endure we must be about God's work. We must endure to the end.

"But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Luke 12:31)

"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." (Acts 4:18,19)

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:24-27)

What about Romans 13:1-7 aren't we supposed to obey government and our leaders? Yes. However, let's take a little closer look at this passage.

"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."

Brother Paul is giving some concluding instructions to the Roman believers. He just finishes telling them in chapter 12:21 "…to overcome evil with good." He then runs on with this idea of rulers. "Let every soul…" means every person. We can't make the non-believer be subject to the higher powers, but as Christians we are to exhort to do so and be an example. We are to be subject to the "higher powers" why? The reference is to the governmental authorities, or civil rulers. First there is no higher power other than God and then because God ordains them.

He does this for His purpose that is, "… 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."  Notice, "…rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil."  Rulers and governments are to restrain evil. Why? "…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."

We are to be subject to the higher powers ONLY as long as they execute laws that are not directly opposed to God's. For example, you would obey warring a seat belt, stopping at a red light, not stealing, etc.? Sure. But you would not obey if they tried to force you to abort your children, murder, steal, stop preaching the gospel, burn your Bible, denounce your faith, stop worshipping God, etc.

"The Apostolic Church councils and the civil government of the Roman Empire. As the years went by, the Church, which had been born in persecution, thrived in persecution. As with ancient Israel, the more the Church was persecuted the more she flourished and multiplied. The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church. Christians submitted to Roman rule inasmuch as they were ruled by what John Calvin termed the "Common Law of Nations," but when the civil authorities broke covenant with God, the Church was obliged to resist."

We must certainly cry "No King but Christ!"

"We are subject to the higher powers when we do not resist them. Resistance the text plainly forbids! That word "resist" is interesting. It means to "range oneself in battle against." One who resists the authorities battles against them! In other words he rebels or revolts against the authorities. This is more than disobedience; it's revolution. To resist is to attempt to overthrow the civil authorities. This the Bible plainly forbids. Revolution even against a corrupt, ungodly government such as existed in Paul's day is sinful. We may not do that! The only exception to our obedience to the rulers is when they require of us that which is contrary to the law or will of God. In that case we must say, "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Cf. Acts 4:18, 19 and Acts 5:29.) But even then we must not attempt to overthrow the government. We obey God rather than men and suffer patiently the consequences at the hand of an unjust, corrupt government."

"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." (1 Peter 2:13-16)

The point is, we live in two kingdoms. One kingdom is spiritual the other kingdom is physical. We are citizens of the kingdom of Christ which is the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18,19; Colossians 1:13). And we're citizens of an earthly nation such as The United States, England, France, China etc. which satan influences (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9). We must be good citizens in each kingdom.

What is our response to governments? We must obey the "higher powers" as prescribed in God's word, but just as God's word shows us we must also disobey if governments inflict laws directly opposed to God. That may mean persecution and even death for some of us, but being faithful is not an option.

"Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed." (Isaiah 10:1)

Amen?

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