The Government Controversy

Intro.

In the year 37 AD was born a child in Rome In 40, Julia Agrippina poisoned her husband and soon married her uncle, Emperor Claudius. Over the next several years, she would should convince Claudius to favor her son over his own as heir to the throne of Rome, and got rid of any who opposed her from within the palace — even eventually poisoning Claudius to put her son on the throne.

Now king, the boy was not yet 17, so his tutor, the known Stoic philosopher Seneca, and the Praetorian captain effectively ruled until the boy grew further and, eventually, became unmanageable.

In the earliest years of his reign, the now Emperor was known for his liberality in giving to the arts and having a distaste for the death penalty. However, he was also known throughout his reign for debauchery and behavior seen as humiliating to his throne. Alongside with this public shame on himself, making a fool of himself through pursuits of song and theatre in a self-delusion, was the fact that tax dollars were spent to support it! As you can imagine, he was not well liked.

Later, in around 65 AD, much of Rome was burned and he was thought to be at fault — in return he shifted blame to the new-found religious people called Christians. In so doing, he opened the door for the beginning of Christian persecution by permission of the State. That man was Emperor Nero.

This morning, with Election Day looming ominously around the corner, I think it may be a good idea to remind ourselves of what God has said regarding government and the Church.

I want us to look at two passages from Scripture this evening and remember what they say to us. Then, having heard the Word, let’s serve as intentional examples of Christians obeying the call of Christ.

Honor the Order’

Romans 13:1–7 CSB

1 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

In this human life we live, there are different systems we live under. Bosses run their businesses, principles and superintendents run schools, governors run states, and then there is the ruler over the nations whatever they may be called. These social orders, when running according to design, keep the different levels of society running smoothly. They prevent anarchy. As such, they respective seats that head different things deserve respect.

Now, there’s a lot here that sounds as if it doesn’t fit, right? “Servants of God for our good?” Well, yes! In that the governing authorities do aid in keeping civil order.

You break the law, you go to jail or receive a fine. If you do well and live as a productive citizen, you are looked upon favorably usually and will not incur any trouble for yourself more times than not.

Paul makes clear here that authority is from God --

Either this means that the seat of authority or the ordinance of government is designed of God

Or Paul means that a person is given authority from God.

There are ways to support both of these, and maybe there’s truth to both of them. But, at the end of the day, the point Paul is making is that we as the Church are to submit to the seat of government and live exemplary lives in society! To break the law unnecessarily is to rebel against what God has instituted and, according to Paul, is thus to rebel against God! (Rom. 13.3-5)

Yes, it is that serious! So, too, is it rebellious and wrong to bring dishonor to the governing authority above you.

Honor the Man

1 Peter 2:13–17 CSB

13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Remember what we mentioned from this passage a few weeks ago:

Submit = put yourself under

Submit because it is God’s will we submit to government

In submission and reverent life as citizens no one has anything wrong to say of us.

Submit as a free choice to honor God

Honor the Emperor — the actual ruler!

We may feel as if we are beating a dead horse with this lately, and I’m okay with that if it means we soak it in. Let’s talk about honoring the Emperor momentarily.

Remember when we spoke about husbands honoring wives — speaking poorly of her in any context is dishonoring! Because to honor is to ascribe value!

Let me put before you a scenario:

A man posting trash talk and airing out all his frustration w/ his wife on Facebook.

Is this acceptable behavior? NO! It is dishonoring!

If a man would dishonor his wife in doing so — why do so many Christians not consider it dishonoring to do the very same about our governing authorities?

The holy Apostles command us in the Lord to honor those who are head over us in society. Practically that means 2 major things: We live as upstanding citizens in our community and we obey the laws, and we keep our lips from speaking evil against the ruler!

As it is written, “if a man would love life and long years, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceit.” — 1 Pet. 3.10-12 quoting the Psalmist.

My brethren, it is far too common among the Bride of our Lord that we find people speaking vile and hate publicly against our officials.

I don’t mean disagreeing with policies or even pointing out wrong-doing. But rather we see all the time that brothers and sisters openly mock and deride our rulers in this nation — this must not be so among the churches of God!

Remember Nero, at the start of our lesson — even before he became the notorious persecutor of the Church he was known for all manner of behavior unbecoming of his throne.

If our presidents lowered themselves to such levels as to behave that way, how do you think the public would react? How can you envision Christians reacting?

Yet, the Church of the day was commanded in the Lord to HONOR that man.

Surely, if they could honor Nero and all other pagan Emperors, we can refrain from dishonoring our leaders! And not only this, but I think we ought to lead the charge in honoring whoever wins on Tuesday! Be different, and show the Body how to obey the Lord in this way.

Conclusion

We’ve spoken this morning about honoring both the position and the person in our governmental authorities. I hope this lesson has been challenging. I expect it has stepped on toes as it has on my very own rather firmly.

This is something we need to be better at. I mean as the whole Church in the States, we need to do better.

What I want us to do is:

Regardless of who wins on Tuesday, if you have no kind words to speak on it then say nothing at all. Don’t post or speak what is not uplifting and honoring and true. Then, whomever wins, pray for them and pray for us that “we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness” as Paul wrote in another place.

It’s not hard honor the authorities, whomever they are. What is hard, is realizing that our feelings and desires don’t change the command of God. Brethren, I urge us, to be the Church of the Lord Jesus and do as He wills of us in all ways of life. Honor, the Emperor.