—Romans 13:1-7
There are arguments that churches should not subject themselves to government in anything, for this would be saying that the government is the authority over the church instead of God.
But the Bible plainly teaches Christians to be subject to the powers of government, for government is ordained by God. For a church to teach that Christians, as well as non-Christians, are to be subject to government as the institution ordained by God for the welfare and preservation of society, it must necessarily lead by example in complying with its own teaching. For a church to resist submitting to the power of government in the principle sense, is for a church to resist the ordinance of God.
God teaches us to walk by faith, not by sight. Rather than fear the “what ifs” that an imperfect government may present to a church (or an individual), we need to respect in every practical way that civil government is a Divine institution.
As far as the conflicts of interest that arise between a civil government that becomes hostile toward Christianity, the same solution applies to the church that does to the individual Christian: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29
For evil men to use government to oppose those who serve God, is a violation of the ordinance of God, for which God will surely judge.
The ordinance of God establishing civil government, is not in and of itself a threat to a church, rather it is to be viewed as, “the minister of God to thee for good” Romans 13:4a. God uses civil government to protect the presence of churches in society. Where governments do not afford churches protection, wicked men rise up and destroy the presence of churches. Thus, wisdom and faith dictate churches to cooperate with and promote God’s ordinance of civil government.
Just as churches have their sphere of ministry and influence, so does God ordained civil government.
Nowhere does God prerequisite that civil authorities must first be Christians. Marriage is a God ordained institution. But God does not require that people first make a profession of faith before they can marry. Marriage is for all the human race, saved and lost, and so is civil government. Just because one may be a Christian does not mean they have the knowledge, the understanding, and the experience to succeed in civil government. You can be a good Christian and know nothing about what it takes to be a good doctor, a good governor, a good general, etc. Secular work is best performed by those with the best secular skills, as well as good character and judgment. Just as it would make no sense to seek out a mechanic to preach, it makes no sense to seek out a preacher to be your mechanic.
SHARING
