HUMAN GOVERNMENT
Human government is provided and ordained by the Lord. The word “powers” in the following verses is referring to the authority of human government assigned to it by the Lord God. For you can easily see this as in verse 3, the word “rulers” is used.
Romans 13:1 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. 3 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. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Government is for the church’s benefit. And we are commanded to pray for it. 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Despising governmental authority is to despise Christ’s authority, and speaking evil of government officials is one sign of reprobation! 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Jude 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
There is a strong spirit in our land of it being the thing to do to trash officials. But Daniel didn’t do this from the den of lions that the king had him thrown into. Daniel 6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. And the Lord Jesus didn’t do it to Pilate! And christians shouldn’t do it to our present officials. Neither did the Apostle Paul show any disrespect to those who kept him bound for two years. He referred to one as, most noble Felix, even though he was a greedy man who sought to have a bribe for a favorable verdict. Acts 24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. Therefore the Holy Spirit will not lead us to do so. For that would be contrary to His word, and He never leads contrary to the scriptures!
I’m sure that neither Daniel, Paul, Michael, nor our Lord Christ “liked” those in authority over them, but they showed them the respect that was due their office. And as an American Christian, you have the privilege of going into that voting booth and casting your vote against them, but none have the right, as a true believer, to show disrespect to the offices of human government set up over us by the Lord. Remember that in the Romans thirteen passage it refers to them twice as “the minister of God!”
Trashing those whom the Lord has put in authority over us in the presence of our children is that which is causing a continuance of disrespecting authority into future generations. For they are taught by this that it is the thing to do to profess Christianity, but live contrary to it’s spirit! Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? For both true Christianity and hypocrite religion are known by our relationship to both saying and doing! Luke 24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Be careful, dear ones. There is a strong spirit of deception in this matter across our land today. Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Separate yourselves unto Christ our King and yield to all authority under his rule. (For He is either sovereign over all, or he is not sovereign at all!) For in such a deceptive spirit, one can remain without justification while deceiving their own selves into thinking then have been justified. Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Watching for your souls as one who must give account, I remain; Your soul’s obedient servant,
Bro. Gene.
