STATE OF THE UNION Session 3

STATE OF THE UNION

Session 3: Our Response to Government

In our last sessions we looked at the direction of our country and answered specific questions about some of the current issues. We talked about our responsibility to clean up our own house.

Today I want to look at our response to government when it may move away from Biblical standards.

Some of the preliminary material I covered in our Wednesday night series “PRACTICAL LIVING IN A PAGAN CULTURE Session 5 Humility - Being a Blessing”. I was not able to preach that night, but the full transcript is on our sermon blog: rfsermons.blogspot.com.

Allow me to reprise some of that material.

Romans 13:1-4 (NKJV) 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 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. 4 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.

God created three institutions: family, church, government.

Psalm 22:28 (NKJV) For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.

Psalms 75:7 (NKJV) “But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.”

Psalms 103:19 (NKJV) “The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.”

Proverbs 8:15–16 (NKJV) By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.

Daniel 2:21 (NKJV) “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.”

The Function of Human Government—According to The Open Bible, the general function of human government, as instituted by God, may be said to be threefold: to protect, to punish, and to promote.

The Function of Protection: the moment Adam sinned it was obvious that civilizations would need some form of restraint and rule to protect us from ourselves.

The Function of Punishment: duly appointed human officials are to be regarded as God’s servants to “bear the sword,” that is, to impose punishment upon criminals.

The Function of Promotion: government is to promote the general welfare of the community where its laws are in effect.

What is our Responsibility to Human Government?

Romans 13:5-7 (NKJV) Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Titus 3:1–2 (NKJV) Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Our responsibility to human government is threefold.

a. We recognize and accept that the powers that be are ordained by God.  How this is accomplished is up for debate.  Does God actually pick the individual leaders or does He allow a process to take place?  Dr. Rusas J. Rushdooney has said that “people get the kind of government they deserve!”  For today it will suffice to say that God created civil government.

This truth applies even to atheistic human governments. In fact, when Paul wrote Romans, Nero was on the throne! The Greek words used here speak of a soldier’s absolute obedience to his superior officer. Scripture makes one exception to this command: when obedience to civil authority would require disobedience to God’s word.

Exodus 1:15-17 (NKJV) “Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.”

Daniel 3:16-18 (NKJV) “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.””

Daniel 6:10 (NKJV) “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”

Acts 4:18-20 NKJV “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.””

Acts 5:26-29 NKJV “Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

b. We are to pay our taxes.

Matthew 17:24-27 (NKJV) “When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.””

Matthew 22:15-21 (NKJV) “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

c. We are to pray for our leaders.

I Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV) “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

We are not citizens of this world.

John 15:19 (NKJV) “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

John 17:14 (NKJV) “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

John 17:16 (NKJV) “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

John 18:36 (NKJV) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

We are on a journey.

Hebrews 11:13 (NKJV) “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

I Peter 1:1-2 (NKJV) “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”

1 Peter 2:11-17 (NKJV) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims,

Strangers: alien, foreigner

Sojourners: someone passing through

Pilgrims: temporary resident

The problem with most of us is that we live as citizens of this world, not as pilgrims; we have taken up residence, not just passing through.

Let’s look closer at what Peter writes about how we should live as citizens.

1 Peter 2:11-17 (NKJV) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Live a holy life.

13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

Live a law abiding life.

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Live an honoring life.

Christians should seek good for the country they live in. Even if it ungodly!  Think about God’s command to Israel before their captivity in Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:7 NKJV “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”

We see our response to government illustrated so beautifully in the life of Daniel…

Carried away captive...

Set his heart...

Became famous...

Served four kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, Cyrus...

Heart was to serve the nation of Babylon in accordance with God’s command...