HoHum:
The origin of Uncle Sam probably began in 1812, when Samuel Wilson was a meat packer who provided meat to the US Army. The meat shipments were stamped with the initials, U.S. Someone joked that the initials stood for “Uncle Sam”. This joke eventually led to the idea of Uncle Sam symbolizing the United States government.
WBTU:
This passage of Scripture is relevant to this past week when we celebrated our nation’s independence day. The main point seems to be “conscientious citizenship, painstaking patriotism.” But there is another side to this coin. While stating the citizens’ responsibility toward government, Paul gives us valuable information about the government’s responsibility toward its citizens. This passage presents the clearest biblical teaching concerning the God given origin and God intended purpose of human government.
Romans 1-11 Paul talks about the gospel of grace. Beginning in Romans 12 he tells us how we should live because of the gospel of grace. Read Romans 12:1, 2, NIV.
Submission to authority is simply one aspect of God’s will for us. We are told to submit in the home, in the church, in our jobs and also to the government. God’s will for Christians includes not just specific Christian duties (talking about those over the past several weeks) but also the laws of the Creator that apply to all human beings as his creatures.
Last week we talked about evil. The Lord deals with evil in two ways in our day. With one hand, God holds the cross of grace and in the other he holds the sword of his wrath. God is not using these instruments directly. God has placed them into the hands of his two main representatives: church of Christ on earth wields the cross of grace, and human governments wield the sword of his wrath.
As individual Christians and as a church, we need to live out the instructions in Romans 12:17-21. Let’s be clear about this. It is okay to want justice to be done- by the government. Some evildoers respond to acts of kindness and good will. They repent and stop doing their evil because of the grace shown to them. However, other people do not respond in this way. The only thing they respond to is a good butt whipping. Evildoers are not free to do all the harm they please, without restraint and without fear of any kind of punishment. While we are not allowed to take vengeance against those who do us wrong, God has established civil government to be his agent to see that such vengeance is carried out.
Thesis: Let’s talk about the responsibility of government toward its citizens and then talk about the responsibility of citizens toward their government.
For instances:
Responsibility of government toward its citizens
The purpose of government is to uphold moral laws. Does this in 4 ways:
To stop evil behavior by the fear of punishment. “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.” Romans 13:4, NIV.
To apply God’s wrath and vengeance to evil doers. 3 times mentioned as God’s servant. Is it okay for Christians to serve in the government? God’s servant. Who better than a Christian!
To praise law abiding citizens. “For 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 and he will commend you.” Romans 13:3, NIV.
To do good for all citizens. “For he is God’s servant to do you good.” Romans 13:4. “To serve and protect” is good for police but also all government. The Message paraphrase says this in vs. 4: The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it.
But more precisely what does mean for government to do “good?”
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4, NIV.
That we may lead peaceful and quiet lives. Vs. 2
That we may pursue godliness and holiness. Vs. 2
That we may be free to share the gospel and the truth of God’s Word. Vs. 4
Summarize the God ordained purpose of government in 3 words:
1. Protecting the rights of all citizens, the rights involved in living a peaceful and quiet life.
2. Preventing evil doers from violating other citizen’s rights. By what means?
3. Punishing those who are guilty of violating other citizen’s rights.
Boil it all down to one word and that word is justice. Seeing people get what they deserve. See how opposite this is to the gospel of grace. Opposite but needful and necessary in this world. Without a good government, the law of the jungle applies= the strongest survive as animals do in nature. Not looking out for the rights of others. Might makes right.
Transition: The main reason that the founding fathers of this nation broke away from England was that the government of England was not looking out for the rights of the citizens of the colonies. The leaders of this nation tried many times and in many ways to get the government of England to see this. Refused so eventually they broke away. The Declaration of Independence says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Many do not know that after the end of the Revolutionary War the first national government was formed under the articles of confederation. The weakness of the government created by the Articles became a matter of concern for many. That government had difficulties putting down a rebellion where some people did not want to pay taxes. “No taxation without representation”, but some wanted no taxes at all. On March 4, 1789, the Articles were replaced with the U.S. Constitution. The new Constitution provided for a much stronger national government with a president, courts, and taxing powers. Where did our founding fathers get such principles to make big changes like this? Passages like Romans 13. Why did they make these changes? To have a better government. Look at these words from the Preamble of the Constitution of the US: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Many use Romans 13 to say that God has personally put into office every blood thirsty tyrant, every anti Christian regime, every crooked politician and every immoral and bribe taking public official. No, this is talking about how government is a sphere of authority which God has established and he who rebells against government reaps judgement upon himself. Anarchy (no government) is in view here. Amplified Bible says this in vs. 1: “Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God- by His permission, His sanction; and those that exist do so by God’s appointment.” The Lord gives and takes away when it comes to rulers and governments. However, there will never be a time of no government until heaven, even there God is the government and all authority comes from Him.
Responsibility of citizens toward their government
Pray for those in civil government (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Submit to the authority of civil rulers.
By obeying the various laws and regulations they impose on the citizens in the interest of justice. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities” Romans 13:1, NIV.
Now Paul is talking about the ideal situation. Paul does not go into the many “what if” circumstances that may require civil disobedience.
“If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” 1 Peter 4:15, 16, NIV.
Government can be corrupted just like any other institution. If it becomes perverted to the point that it requires us to do something contrary to God’s will, then we must head the words of Peter and the other apostles: “We must obey God rather than men!” Acts 5:29.
Attitude of respect toward government and its representatives. “if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:7, NIV. We might not appreciate the politics of a person holding high office, and we may even deplore the official’s private life, but this does not exempt us from the responsibility to show respect and honor. The office this person holds is from God, and for the good of society. The Christian will always be on his guard concerning the way he expresses his disapproval and voices his dissent. ““Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.” Exodus 22:28. As a matter of conscience, a Christian’s behavior will never take anything unnecessarily away from the person who is described as God’s servant.
Pay taxes to support those who devote themselves to the work of government and to provide the necessary equipment and programs that are necessary to uphold justice. “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue.” Romans 13:7. Tax fraud is wrong. Refusing to pay taxes is an act of direct disobedience to God. Give everyone what you owe him goes back to the words of Jesus. “Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Mark 12:17, NIV.
