Christian be in Submission
Christians…to be in Submission
Government ordained of God (v.1-2).
Government ordained to promote good and restrain evil (v.3-5).
Government ordained to provide benefits through taxes (v.6-7).
In U.S. Navel Institute Proceedings… Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days… The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.
Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow." Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out. The lookout replied, "Steady, Captain," which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship. The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that ship: ’We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.’" Back came the signal, "Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees." The captain said, "Send: "I’m a captain, change course twenty degrees.’" "I’m a seaman second-class," came the reply. "You had better change course twenty degrees." By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send: ’I’m a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.’"
Back came the flashing light, "I’m a lighthouse." We changed course.
Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, p. 153.
Will you submit to the authorities God has appointed in your life today?
Government ordained of God
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. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Romans 13:1-2
We are to be in subjection to civil authorities, within the civil realm.
For example, when God commands wives obey their husbands, they are required to obey them as husbands, not as masters or kings. Children obey their parents as parents, not as sovereigns.
When the laws of civil government conflict with the explicit commandments of God, then Christians must say, “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18
Government is ordained by God; the existence, authority, position, and offices.
God wills governments exist and persons have the authority to rule.
The three institutions ordained by God: the family, the church, and the government.
God set them up as the means by which men are to relate to one another and to God. God has ordained...
·that families exist as the means by which family members share together, and that parents rule within the family.
·that the church exist as the means by which people share with God, and that the church leaders exercise authority within the church.
·that the government exist as the means by which citizens relate to each other, and that government officials exercise authority within the state.
Each have faithful leaders who do an excellent job, and each have disobedient leaders who do a terrible job.
Remember government is ordained by God, and rulers answerable to HIM: they will give an account to God.
“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” (Romans 13:1).
“It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness” (Proverbs 16:12).
“And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth” (Isaiah 16:5).
Our duty to our city, county, state and nation is the focus.
We must take our part in it seriously.
We can do a great deal about our behavior as a citizen within the state; and God is clear about what our behavior ought to be.
Nero was ruling as emperor when God led Paul to give these instructions.
We do not resist the government because resistance equals resisting the ordinances of God.
a. We should not be confused with political movements nor with a national government. Christ was apart from insurrection or rebellion. Christians are not to murder or assassinate; or be terrorists.
b. One exception: When rulers exercise personal and immoral mastery over human life, then we obey God and not man. We follow after righteousness, morality and justice, of Scripture and not man’s making.
c. World leaders are in the hands of God and play their part under HIS sovereign administration. We can find comfort here, it means God is working in the affairs of world leaders. He is taking the failure and evil of nations and leaders and working “all things out for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
The believer who resists authorities will be condemned “they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
“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” (1 Peter 2:13-14).
“And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment” (Ezra 7:26).
“My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: for their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?” (Proverbs 24:21-22).
Government ordained to promote good and restrain evil
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. Romans 13:3-5
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Rulers are not ordained to restrain good works, but evil. Civil authorities and laws exist to restrain evil; any believer who breaks the law can expect to be punished by the state. For this reason, the believer should...
·fear the state enough to obey its laws.
·do that which is good and lawful.
In doing so we receive the praise of our local government.
We help build a praiseworthy report and it is able to be a good and praiseworthy state. If we have the praise of the state; we are allowed to live in peace as a citizen of the state.
“Thou shalt not revile the gods [God, R.S.V.], nor curse the ruler of thy people” (Exodus 22:28).
“I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God” (Eccles. 8:2).
“They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
Civil government and law are a restraint upon evil.
What happens when there is no law? Iraq is a great example. When law does not exist or when law is not enforced, evil runs rampant.
“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:9-10).
Rulers are the ministers of God for good: to maintain the welfare of its citizens.
“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:10-11).
“Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy” (Proverbs 20:28).
We need fear breaking the laws of the state because they exist to maintain order by punishing evil-doers.
“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” (1 Peter 2:13-14).
We are to obey the state for conscience’ sake:
For wrath’s sake, fearing the punishment of the state.
For conscience’s sake, fearing the punishment of God.
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).
“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1 Tim. 1:5).
“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck” (1 Tim. 1:19).
“Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience” (1 Tim. 3:9).
Government ordained to provide benefits through taxes
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Romans 13:6-7
Interesting that we find ourselves here in God’s scripture this week?
God’s word clearly tells us that government is ordained to provide benefits through taxes.
God appoints rulers as ministers to minister to the people, by providing certain benefits for the citizens.
a.The government provides justice, protection, and services.
b.The government keeps the world from diving into chaos.
Yes, we are indeed to pay our taxes…
“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?...Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee” (Matthew 17:24, 27).
“They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
We are to pay taxes, and to pay whatever is due to every man.
We are to fulfill our obligations.
If a nation is due tribute (taxes), we pay it.
If a custom tax is due, we pay it.
If honor is due, we honor.
We simply, live above reproach before all, and this includes being a good citizen of our government.
“By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked” (Proverbs 11:11).
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
“Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness” (Proverbs 25:5).
“In righteousness shall thou be established” (Isaiah 54:14).
God-ordained authorities:
Government: Romans 13, 1 Ptr 2:17, Titus 3:1
Employer: Eph 6, 1 Ptr 2:18
Husband: 1 Ptr 3:1, Col 3:18, Eph 5:22
Parent: Eph 6
Church Leaders/Elders: Heb 13:17
Of course our submission to authority is directly related to whether we have ever accepted Jesus Christ into our lives.
Have you accepted Jesus Christ in your life?
Also it is based on whether we will submit?
Will you submit to Christ’s authority and direction for you here, as a co laborer for Christ?
