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“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. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 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. 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 13:1-7


Where do God & country meet? How can we be good Christians & yet good citizens? Can we be both, or do we have to be one or the other? Do we have to sacrifice our love of God for love of country, or vice-versa?

Well, I think we can be both good citizens & good Christians. I’m convinced that it’s not only possible, but that, as Christians, we have a holy obligation to be the best citizens that we can possibly be. 

             REMEMBER GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY 

First of all, we must realize that God is sovereign over government. The apostle Paul wrote, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except…" Except what? "…except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1) 

Now that doesn't mean God appointed Saddam Hussein or Hitler or Stalin and used them as puppets on His string. But it does mean that God has established the principle that government is needed to be in charge of society. 

As Christians, we are to be in submission to the governing authorities even though we may not always agree with them. 

Dr. John MacArthur wrote: “Believers are to be model citizens, known as law-abiding not rabble-rousing, obedient rather than rebellious, respectful of government rather than demeaning of it. …a godly society, doing good & living peaceably within an ungodly society… so that the saving power of God is clearly seen.

Going on to the next two verses of our Scripture text, we note that Paul is telling us that God has set up two reasons or purposes for government. 

1. The first purpose is to do good. Listen to Paul’s words, “Rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right & he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good." (Romans 13:3-4a) 

2. A second purpose for government is to restrain evil. Verse 4 above goes on to say, "But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." 

You know that is true. Every time you hear a siren or see red lights behind you, what do you do? Do you look at the speedometer to see if you’re driving within the speed limit. And do you wonder, "Is my seat belt fastened? Do I have my insurance card? Is my inspection sticker up to date? Is my state license sticker current?" 

If all the answers are "Yes," then you breathe a sigh of relief. But if you have broken the law, then you’re afraid because the government has the power to punish you for your disobedience of the law.

We think that a republic based on democracy is the best because it has served us well here in the United States for 226 years. But we must understand that our Constitution was written assuming that the citizens of this land would be moral, God-fearing people. 

That’s the only way democracy will work because democracy becomes whatever the people are. If the people become pagan & immoral & violent, then the government becomes pagan & immoral & violent.



In His Service,
Pastor Tim  Roberts

 
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    Timothy S. Roberts, SBS-BA

            Author

    Tim is the founding pastor of Agape Gospel Fellowship.
    His "keep it real" approach makes what he teaches readily accessible and definitely insightful. His desire is to reach others with the truth of the Word and to help Christians to avoid the pitfalls of man-made "religion" versus a vibrant and living relationship with God.

    Married since 2009 to his wife, Heidi, Tim is the proud step-father to Heidi's four children and they also have four grandchildren (1 girl, 3 boys).



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