Attitude Toward Government

By Jeff Curtis

In Romans 13, Paul discusses what it means to live as a Christian. He emphasized that a believer must submit to the government by obeying its laws and paying taxes (13:1-7). An important question in Jesus’ day was how God’s people should relate to civil authorities. On one occasion His enemies asked Him, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Luke 20:22). The Jews hated the Romans and hated paying taxes to them, but we know their question was really a trap. If Christ answered ‘yes,’ He would alienate His Jewish followers. If He said ‘no,’ his enemies could report Him to the Roman governor (Luke 20:22). He held up a coin and asked, “Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” “They said Caesar’s” (Luke 20:24). So, Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25).

Paul wrote to the church in Rome around AD 57-58, Jewish resentment was reaching a boiling point. The Jews harbored ill will toward the Roman government. Gentiles in the church at Rome may have sympathized with their Jewish brethren on this point. Rome had driven both Jews and Christians from Rome a few years earlier.

Whatever his motivation, Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) thought it was important to include instructions on how a saved-by-grace person should relate to human government. The subject is also mentioned in 1Tim.2:1-2; Titus 3:1 and 1Peter 2:13-17. But Romans 13:1-7 is the longest discussion on the subject in the New Testament. This text doesn’t cover every question that might be asked, but, it is an important revelation on a subject that impacts all our lives

When we become Christians, we are rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col. 1:13). Even so, we remain citizens of an earthly kingdom / nation. How should relate to civil authorities? What are our responsibilities? In verse 4, we see that human rulers are called “servants of God.” If one has ever studied Romans 13, these statements might seem strange or extreme. But, back in chapter 9, Paul emphasized God’s control of earthly rulers when he described Pharoah (9:16-18).

As we read these inspired statements, questions could come to our minds. We wonder about evil rulers from the past and present; did God ordain these? Were their reigns established by God? We can’t answer every question that could be raised, but we can make observations about God and human governments.

1. God instituted civil authority for the good of mankind.
2. Every civil authority exists because God allows it.
3. God can use evil government to accomplish His purposes.

People have and always will try to make a distinction between “good” and “bad” governments, they attempt to between “good” and “bad” laws. They insist God doesn’t expect us to obey “bad laws.”

We feel overwhelmed by traffic laws, building codes, tax regulations, and the slow process of paperwork. We feel strangled by bureaucracy. But we have not been given the right to distinguish between “good laws” and “bad laws.” If it is a law, we must obey it.

Meditate on this:

Acts 5:29

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Bad News vs The Good News

By Ethan Tidwell

The news often informs us of things currently going on in the world, usually bad or even terrible things. It often feels like the news only wants to disclose bad events or evil that is committed. It is very discouraging to always hear what undesirable things currently go on in our world, driving some to no longer have faith in humanity, or worse God. With a world of constant disaster (with nature) and the evil of mankind that you hear daily gets tiresome. Thankfully, we have the gospel which is “the good news.” Nothing can touch the holiness and greatness of this news because it leads to salvation.

It’s not good news in name only, and it’s certainly not news to satisfy your ears, but it’s news we all need to know. Jesus Christ is that good news, when He came to earth as a man He didn’t tell of what people wanted in life or how they want to be saved, “You can be saved by doing whatever you want to do”, or “Just say a prayer and everything is fine.” Not at all.

In fact, He said several things that may have and indeed did offend people, not because He wanted to but because He only spoke the truth. Matthew 10:37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” He then continues ‘he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” V.38 I’m sure plenty people were displeased when they heard this. The rich young ruler didn’t like what he heard “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matt.19:21-22, Mark 10:21-22, Luke 18:22-23). May of the pharisees and other jews hated Him. A lot of them didn’t believe He was the Messiah.

This should comfort us by understanding that even if we teach the truth and are still hated, to not take it personally because of what He said in John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”

The world needs the good news, and it has it through Jesus Christ, all everyone has to do is obey His commands.

Meditate on this:

Galatians 6:1-5

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵ For each one shall bear his own load.