 Isn't that the way it is when we pray to God? We have something
in our own mind with an answer we think is a logical answer, but
God comes along and gives an answer that is not the way we
thought it would be. Then we realize after we think about it for
awhile, His perspective always turns out to be just the right
thing. We need to trust God that he is in control and the right
decision has been made, because The God of the universe does not
make mistakes!
Now, I for one have not been shy about voicing my opinion about
the decisions that have been handed down from the government and
current Administration. We have seen over just the past year a
long list of scandals that have resulted from decisions made by
the President or the leaders of Congress. The American people
appear to have adopted a different perspective regarding their
preferences for leaders as seen by the results of the November
election. For all practical purposes, the politics changed from
one political party to another, notwithstanding the Executive
Branch, at least for now.
In light of the ruling political decisions made by our
politicians in all levels of our government regarding the impact
on our individual lives, from the way we are protected by
healthcare to the amount of taxes we pay, consider the
following:
The Christian has a responsibility to recognize the government
and obey the laws and the leadership of the government. That
does not mean there is no corruption in the groups that govern,
or in the individual lives of those who are in powerful offices
of government. Corruption was identified by Solomon in his book
of Ecclesiastes when he recorded for us the following
information:
“If you see the extortion of the poor or the perversion of
justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by
the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher
official, and there are higher ones over them! The produce of
the land is seized by all of them. Even the king is served by
the fields.” (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9)
Even in the days of Solomon corruption and perversion of justice
competed with each other at all levels of the government
bureaucracy. Resources produced by the people are seized at
every level, including the king. Instead of manna from God given
to the people, it is personal property taken by the government
to support the layers of officials from the lowest official to
the court of the King.
God had ruled with Wisdom beyond the human mind. But with human
government ascending to leadership, wisdom waned as it trickled
through the layers of bureaucracy. The third King of Israel,
Solomon, wrote again in Ecclesiastes the following insight on
the matter:
“Who is a wise person? Who knows a solution to a problem? A
person’s wisdom brightens his appearance, and softens his harsh
countenance. Obey the king’s command, because you took an oath
before God to be loyal to him. Do not rush out of the king’s
presence in haste – do not delay when the matter is unpleasant,
for he can do whatever he pleases. Surely the king’s authority
is absolute: no one can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm, and a wise
person knows the proper time and procedure. For there is a
proper time and procedure for every matter, for the oppression
of the king is severe upon his victim. Surely no one knows the
future, and no one can tell another person what will happen.
Just as no one has power over the wind to restrain it, so no one
has power over the day of his death. Just as no one can be
discharged during the battle, so wickedness cannot rescue the
wicked. While applying my [Solomon] mind to everything that
happens in this world, I have seen all this: Sometimes one
person dominates other people to their harm.” (Ecclesiastes
8:1-9)
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For those large numbers of people who are nominal in their belief of
God, they may or may not be satisfied with the wisdom of men to rule
with the wisdom of men; again, this is especially true if they have
turned from the Wisdom of God and His rule. But where does the
Christian stand? For the Christian all of this history of God’s
people abdicating God’s rule to man’s rule may not seem relevant.
However, contained within the writings from the Apostle Paul we find
it is the Christian’s responsibility to be submissive to Civil
Government. In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul gave the
following word as inspired by the Holy Spirit:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there
is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities
that exist have been instituted by God. So the person who resists
such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist
will incur judgment (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but
for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will
receive its commendation, for it is God’s servant for your good. But
if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain.
It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of
the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.
For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s
servants devoted to governing. Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to
whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom
respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” (Romans 13:1-7)
We are not talking about any specific form of government here except
“governing authorities.” We must take from this passage the
authority of the Apostle Paul in his admonition to submit to the
governing authorities. The reason is simple: “There is no authority
except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have
been instituted by God.” Does that mean that every despot leader, or
every dictator, or group like ISIS or ISIL must be obeyed no matter
what? Absolutely not!
Keep in mind, in our form of government given as a gift from God, in
the form of a Republic or Democracy, with a freedom to worship as we
please, we have been blessed by God with a form of government that
establishes power to "We The People." Keep in mind, however, that is
also subject to the oversight and control of God. If our government
forces us to turn away from God or requires us to not obey God we
must resist. In the earliest beginnings of the Church we have an
excellent example from the Apostles Peter and John who had healed a
lame man through the power of Jesus. This disturbed the leaders who
commanded the two Apostles to cease speaking of Jesus. The writer of
the Acts of the Apostles [Luke] recorded for us the results of this
matter:
“And they [the leaders] called them [Peter and John] in and ordered
them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter
and John replied, ‘Whether it is right before God to obey you rather
than God, you decide, for it is impossible for us not to speak about
what we have seen and heard.’” (Acts 4:18-20)
Therefore, our first responsibility is to submit ourselves to God
and His Will. We must obey the laws of the land and obey the
government in regard to taxes, laws and requirements for living. The
exception is when the government attempts to require us to disobey
God, or substitute our worship of God to any other than the One and
Only True God of the universe. In any form of government anywhere in
the world, it is always God's perspective and injunction for the
people to submit to God first, worship Him and live in His Word.
[By JIM KILLEBREW]
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