Honor God, Honor Government.

Honor God, Honor Government. Romans 13:1-7.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Romans 13:1 (NKJV)

Civil disobedience of any type should not be spoken about a Christians. In every aspect of our life we honor our God and this honor is a light unto the world. Yet the word hypocrite is a common term when speaking about Christians. The world sees hypocrisy and if finding the slightest trace of it they will reject Christianity as a whole. Therefore, we are not to disobey the law and certainly we are not to be boisterous critics of the law.

Paul was intending his message to a people who were hunted for being Christians. The persecution of Christians was being carried out by civil authorities and you have to ask, was Paul actually telling them to be obedient to turn themselves in for sure torture? We will answer this as we go on.

Our form of Government has descended history, not passed from generation to generation but as coming from within each generation. We were made in the image of God and that image has a definite attribute of being able to judge what to do. Therefore, justice systems around the world reflect much of the same characteristics; thus we can say they are from God.

In addition to being made in the image of God, Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the conscious began to point at the wrong and humankind began to know what to do. Therefore, this knowledge of judgment came from God and when people are selected to enforce the rules, we are to respect their authority.

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:2 (NKJV)

Another very important truth is that even when we become critical of those who are magistrates, we have an obligation to what is right and if we only talk about the terrible job a person is doing, then we do nothing to better the situation and that is walking away from our responsibility.

The very fact you see that there is a deficit means you have been made aware and with that awareness you need to react appropriately. At the very least you should pray for those who need change.

Let us put this to work in an example. John was given a ticket for speeding, but he was actually not speeding and the officer was wrong. John can curse the officer, he can fail to pay the ticket, or he can go to court and fight the ticket. Yet if it was true that John was not speeding he is obligated to point the matter out in the proper way. Yet if he decides to pay the fine, John concedes and needs to keep his mouth shut. There is nothing wrong with working from within the civil system; yet trying to circumvent the system is not honoring God.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. Romans 13:3-5 (NKJV)

Yes, there are many crooked and perverse civil servants; however, if we want to live at peace, we better pray for them and keep peace with them. If we go against them, we can expect the same; they may abuse their power to go against us.

We must remember that they have taken a position of authority and therefore, God will hold them accountable for their actions. No civil disobedience, resistance, or ill speaking, will every match the feedback that God will give them on Judgment Day. They will be held responsible for what they do and each of their decisions will be brought into accountability.

Did you know that the Bible warns people about taking responsibilities? From civil magistrates to Sunday school teachers, every person that stands as a figure head will be judged according to their performance of their duties. Their belief in God will be told in the way they conduct their affairs. Therefore, God would have you tolerate their decisions and allow God to correct them in hopes that they will respond favorably.

Now what about the Christians that that were being hunted, should they submit to their captures thus showing obedience to the authorities? Also, should a person obey a government that is committing crimes against people? This is also addressed by Paul in this passage.

"Rulers are not a terror to good works" is a statement that Paul emphasizes that directs this complete discourse to the type of ruler Paul speaks of. In addition Paul says,"For he is God's minister to you for good." It would be against Biblical principles to join, allow, or support a government that was commenting genocide; for genocide is not of God. Therefore, they type of governments Paul speaks of are Governments enforcing good on those who do evil. That is the opposite of those who do badly for selfish gain.

For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Romans 13:6-7 (NKJV)

If it were not for righteous formal government, the world would not survive. Rome would still be in power and Christianity dead. Hitler would have exterminated the Jews, but we resisted this type of evil empire and thus you can see the difference when speaking about rulers. The terms evil empire is not a government, it is a dictatorship. There is no democracy when people are lead in terror.

Lastly we must speak of good Governments and our submission to them. Though we may not agree with every legislation, we must support the government and work from within the system to bring the change we feel necessary.

As Christians, we must be models of godliness and never lower ourselves to breaking the law, not paying taxes, or speaking badly of those in authority. As Christians we have a responsibility to react to what we see and become the answer.

There are many people reading this that should be looking to join the government by taking office. God has given you the capabilities, through Spiritual gifts, needed to bring the change that God desires. It pleases God when people will step up into authority as Joseph did when taking on the Pharaoh's business.

Daniel was also a person who ran government affairs and of these two men God made examples and models for us to follow. God is about civil justice and government control. He wants people who will listen to authority and honor Him as God.