The Christian And Government

When protests against the government, even violent protests, are common, what is the Christian to do?  How does the Christian relate to the government?  Let’s look at many Scriptures on this subject in the Bible.

Submission, Obedience, Prayer

Paul states it clearly in Romans 13:1-2.  “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.”

Peter adds clarity by stating the purpose of government in 1 Peter 2:13-14.  “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.”

Peter illustrates submission to government by reminding his readers of Jesus’ suffering under the Roman government to the extent of crucifixion.  He relates, “Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Peter 2:21-23).

Paul reminds Timothy to pray for all who are in authority because God would have all men to be saved.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

When Disobedience to the Government was honored by God.

Israelite Mid-wives

In Exodus 1, the king of Egypt ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all the male Israelite babies.  But they refused and saved the boy children alive.  Scripture makes clear that God commended the women.  Exodus 1:20 declares, “Therefore God dealt well with the midwives.” It was not right to kill innocent babies, and they were obedient first to God.

Moses delivering the people of Israel from Egypt

In the eyes of the Pharaoh and the Egyptians, Moses was a rebel and a rabble-rouser.  “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.    By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  (Hebrews 11:23, 27)

Esther

Esther defied the king’s ruling that all Jews were to be slain.  She requested that all Jews fast and pray for her.  Then, she went to the king and requested that the Jews be saved from the proposed massacre of Jews.  God blessed her with success.

Daniel’s Three Friends

Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to bow their knees and worship the image of Nebuchadnezzar.  The king’s soldiers threw them into the fiery furnace.  One like unto the Son of God walked with them in the fire.  They came out of the fire unharmed, their clothes not burned, their hair unsinged, and they did not even smell of smoke.  Nebuchadnezzar rewarded them with another promotion.  (Daniel 3).

Daniel and the Lions

Daniel’s enemies couldn’t find fault with him except in his worship of his God.  They conspired and persuaded the king to make a decree.  All citizens must ask petitions only of King Darius for the next 30 days.  Violators would be cast into the lions’ den.  Daniel was aware of the new law but continued worshiping and obeying the Lord as he had done before.  The soldiers cast Daniel into the lions’ den, but he rested easily and without harm for the night.  In the morning, they took Daniel out of the den.  The king then fed Daniel’s enemies to the lions, who devoured them promptly.  (Daniel 6).

John the Baptist

John the Baptist boldly confronted Herod face to face for his adultery with and marriage to his brother Philip’s wife.  John stood up for what was right and did it publicly.  But it cost him his life.  (Matthew 14)

The Early Church

The Jewish authorities commanded Peter and the apostles not to teach and preach in Jesus’ name.  They responded, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”  (Acts 5:27-32).  This stand cost the apostles and many other Christian leaders of that time their lives or other suffering.  But they firmly and unapologetically obeyed the Lord.

Did Christians stand up to the authorities when they came to trial?

Jesus

Jesus did at one time during his trial.  When Caiaphas, the high priest, asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine, He answered that He had spoken openly in the synagogues and temple and had said nothing in secret.  “Why askest thou me?  Ask them which heard me.”  An officer standing nearby struck Jesus with the palm of his hand and said, “Answerest thou the high priest so?”  Jesus replied, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil:  but if well, why smitest thou me?”  (John 18:19-23).

Paul

Paul defended himself well in Jerusalem using his Roman citizenship.  Due to the violent crowd objecting to Paul’s verbal defense in Acts 22, the Romans decided to scourge him and force Paul to confess his wrongdoing, if any.    As they prepared to scourge Paul, he appealed to his citizenship.  “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?”  That stopped them because it was not lawful.

Later, after being a prisoner for some time, the soldiers brought him to another hearing before the Roman governor of Judea, Festus, and the Jews.  The Jews proposed that he be taken back to Jerusalem and stand trial.  Knowing that it was a plot to assassinate him, Paul used his knowledge of his rights as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar.  (Acts 25).  He took full advantage of the law available to him then to defend himself.

How Do We Apply These Scriptures Today?

So, after looking at all these Biblical examples, how do we apply these Scriptures in the 21^st century?

1. Scripture commands us to honor, respect, and obey governmental officials. They are “ordained of God.”  (Romans 13:1)
2. We are to pray for those in authority for two reasons: (1) that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” and (2) because God would “have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
3. We are to obey the laws of the land EXCEPT if those laws are contrary to God’s commands.

These commands and instructions are valid today:

1. Preaching the gospel, winning and discipling souls to Christ
2. Speaking out against evil. Jeremiah, John the Baptist, and other prophets did not hesitate to denounce the evils of their day.  Exclude your own preferences.  Make sure the Bible clearly condemns the sin you are talking about.  Speak the truth in love.
3. Be prepared to suffer the consequences from legal authorities – or a mob.
4. When you have obeyed the Word and the Lord and are suffering from the authorities, use all your rights as a citizen, just as Paul did. Living in a free country gives you many more rights and privileges than Paul ever knew.
5. Make sure your life is a positive testimony for the Lord. Peter cautioned, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.”.  (1 Peter 4:15).

Today, there is an urgent need for godly Christian political leaders.  When I was a youth, Christians taught us that politics was evil.  Therefore, don’t get involved.  Because of this teaching, very few young people were training for political and government careers.  It produced a scarcity of Christians in government and an abundance of ungodly leaders.  Encourage interested Christian young people to pursue careers in government and law.

Remember the immense influence for good and godliness by political leaders in the Bible: Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Deborah, David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jotham, Hezekiah, Josiah, and Esther.

As Christians, we should be salt (flavoring and preserving) and light (exposing evil and demonstrating righteousness).  We can do that through our personal lives, our church lives, and our participation in society.  As Paul expressed so well, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”  (Romans 13:12).