The Believer and Government

Introduction:

As believers we interact with the government as a part of our day to day life. There is no avoiding it. But in the course of interacting with the government there are questions that arise:

What is the relationship between the follower of Christ and the state?

Which holds the superior position, the church or the state?

These are questions that have been argued and debated about for centuries, and God addresses the issue head on and in a way that may be surprising.

Especially to an audience of believers in Rome who were undergoing persecution.

Very simply stated, God expects the believer to live as a testimony of righteousness (doing right) while living on this earth and while a citizen of whatever country we live in.

With that in mind, let’s examine our text before us where we will see four principles regarding the believer and the government.

This is not a message about the believers involvement in government, to do so would be imposing upon the text what is not there. The text is written to tell us how the believer should respond to a government we may not agree with.

1. The Command: Believers are to be subject to civil authorities. (v.1a)

Allow me to make this very clear, it does not matter who the civil authorities are, how they were put into their position, whether they are just or unjust, or what political party they may belong to, we as christians are to obey them.

However, the government only has authority over the believer in a civil realm.

When the laws of government conflict with the explicit commands of God then we as Christians must say “we are to obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29)

Acts 5:29 (NKJV)

... “We ought to obey God rather than men.

If a ruler claims he is divine or has divine rights, then we as Christians must respond “no you don’t.” Because that civil leader has stepped out of his civil arena and into a territory that only belongs to God.

On the opposite side however, the Christian is to say “yes” to all civil matters that do not conflict with the commandments given by God in His word.

1 Timothy 2:1–3 NKJV

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

Titus 3:1 NKJV

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,

2 Peter 2:13–17 NKJV

13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

2 The Why: Government is ordained by God. (v.1b-2)

It is gods will that government exists.

In the pages of scripture, we see three institutions that were put into place by God:

The family was given as the means with which people share life together.

The church was given as the means with which people share with God.

The government was given as the means with which citizens relate to each other.

In each of these institutions, God has designed for leaders to be put into place, and each of those leaders are held accountable to God.

But the thrust of the passage is not about governmental leaders, it’s about how Christians respond to them.

Paul gives believers to instructions:

A. Christians are not to resist the government because to do so would be equal to resisting God's ordinance. (v.2a)

Christianity must never become confused with a political movement or national government.

There is only one allowable exception to resist the government and that is when it begins to exercise personal mastery over our lives in a way that is immoral and goes against God. In that case, I’m always to follow God.

B. The believer who resist the authorities will be condemned. (v.2b)

When you or I go against the government and break their laws, you will be judged by them, but you will also be judged by God. If the law didn't violate his law.

3 The what: Government is ordained to promote good and restrain evil. (v.3-5)

A. Rulers are not ordained to restrain the good, but to restrain the evil. (v.3)

Civil authorities and laws exist to restrain evil that is why people who break the law, including Christians, can expect to be punished by the authorities.

That’s why we should fear the government enough to obey his laws and do good.

In fact, Paul says when we do that we will be praised by the state, because we are good citizens and good citizens typically live in peace.

B. Rulers are the ministers of God for good, because they are to maintain the welfare of its citizens. (v.4)

They bear the sword against evil and execute justice.

C. Believers must obey the government for their conscience sake. (v.5)

The believer has a principle that says:

“I’m to govern my conscience and not violate it, my conscience tells me I’m not to resist God, and if being resistant to government is equal to resisting God’s will, then I am not going to violate my conscience and sin.”

You see, my conscience determines my state of being. A restful conscience puts me at peace and a disturbed conscience makes me restless and fearful; And if you live in rebellion to the government (and ultimately God) your conscience will be bothered.

Acts 24:16 NKJV

16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

4 The How: Government is ordained to provide benefits through taxes. (v.6-7)

A. rulers are to provide benefits. (v.6)

Justice, protection, services, roads, transportation, Energy etc.

Basically the main function of government is to keep the world from plunging into chaos. Man is to work for peace within the framework of the government.

B. Therefore, Christians are to pay taxes. (v.7)

Every citizen is obligated to the government for the benefits they receive. Certain of those benefits are a cooperative effort of the people within the state. You would not have these benefits as an individual, they exist because the government has brought them to you. Because of that, we are obligated to pay our share.

Matthew 17:24–27 NKJV

24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” 26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Matthew 22:17–21 NKJV

17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

C. The believer is not only to pay taxes, but he is to pay whatever is due to "every man." (v.7b)

Render- pay, to for fill or complete.

We as believers are to fill our obligations no matter what they are.

Read the list in vs.7

Conclusion

Very simply put the believer is to live above reproach before all man and that includes being a good citizen.

Proverbs 11:11 NKJV

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 14:34 NKJV

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.