Our Relationship To Government (Part 3)

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Romans 13:2

In other words, anyone resisting the authority is resisting the ordinance of God. And those resisting shall receive for themselves judgment.

The principle stated in verse 1 raises many questions which the following verses amplify and explain. This verse seems to preclude the possibility of a believer having any part in rebellion or revolution. What about it? The believer has opposed bad government and supported good government on the theory that good government is the one ordained of God. The believer is for law and order, as over against corruption and rank injustice. At great moments of crisis in history-- and that's where we are today --the believers have had difficult decisions to make.

Christianity never became a movement to improve government, help society, or clean up the town. The gospel was the power of God unto salvation of the individual. Paul never went around telling about the deplorable conditions of Roman jails -- and he knew them there. It is very difficult to say that we are to obey a corrupt government. There is corruption in government from the top to the bottom, and it is not confined to one party.

What is the Christian to do? My business is to get out the Word of God, and my business is to obey the law. That is what Paul is saying here. Christianity is not a movement to improve government or to help society clean up the town. It is to preach a gospel that is the power of God unto salvation which will bring into existence individuals like the men who signed the Declaration of Independence and gave us a government of laws. There is nothing wrong with our form of government; there is something wrong with the individuals who are in positions of power.

"America is int he hands of those who do not understand the spiritual heritage that we have."

Romans, Vol II, J Vernon McGee