Christians and Government: Divine Authority and Civil Obedience

 

Summary

In today's session, we explored the complex relationship between Christians and governmental authorities, drawing from Romans 13. This passage provides a foundational understanding of how Christians should view and interact with earthly governments. The key principle is that all authority ultimately derives from God, and thus, Christians are called to be subject to governing authorities as a way of honoring God. This is not about blind allegiance but about recognizing that God has instituted these authorities for the maintenance of order and the restraint of evil in a fallen world.

Christianity, while not political in the human institutional sense, is inherently political in its proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the reign of Christ. This means that Christians are to live in a way that reflects the kingship of Jesus, even under secular and sometimes corrupt governments. The New Testament repeatedly calls for civil obedience, not as an endorsement of all governmental actions, but as a testimony to the authority of God behind these institutions.

However, this obedience has limits. When a government commands something contrary to God's law, Christians must obey God rather than men. This principle was evident in the early church, where Christians were model citizens yet refused to worship the emperor, leading to persecution. The early apologist Justin Martyr articulated this balance, emphasizing that Christians are called to honor and pray for authorities while maintaining ultimate allegiance to Christ.

Government, in its essence, is a force established by God to restrain evil and protect life and property. Even though governments can become corrupt, they are still preferable to anarchy, which would lead to chaos and the law of the jungle. Christians are encouraged to participate in government, not to merge church and state, but to bring the righteousness of Christ into the public sphere. The separation of church and state does not imply a separation of state and God; both are under God's authority, and Christians have roles in both realms.

Key Takeaways:

1. Divine Authority and Human Governance: All authority originates from God, and earthly governments are established by Him to maintain order and restrain evil. Christians are called to respect and be subject to these authorities as a reflection of their submission to God. This understanding challenges us to see beyond human institutions to the divine purpose behind them. [01:13]

2. Christianity's Political Dimension: The New Testament's focus on the Kingdom of God inherently carries a political dimension, as it proclaims the reign of Christ over all creation. This calls Christians to live in a way that reflects Christ's kingship, even under secular governments, recognizing that their ultimate allegiance is to God. [02:45]

3. Limits of Obedience: While Christians are called to be model citizens, their obedience to government has limits. When a government's commands conflict with God's law, Christians must choose to obey God. This principle underscores the importance of discerning when civil disobedience is necessary to remain faithful to Christ. [17:05]

4. Government as a Restraint of Evil: Government is a necessary force established by God to restrain evil and protect society. Even corrupt governments serve a purpose in preventing anarchy, which would lead to greater chaos. This perspective encourages Christians to appreciate the role of government while advocating for justice and righteousness. [20:26]

5. Christian Participation in Government: Christians are encouraged to engage in government as a means of serving God and society. This involvement is not about merging church and state but about bringing Christian values into the public sphere. The separation of church and state does not mean the separation of state and God, and Christians have a role in both realms. [27:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction to Christian and Government Relations
- [00:42] - Romans 13: Authority from God
- [01:31] - The Foundation of Authority
- [02:16] - Christianity's Political Nature
- [03:02] - The Kingdom of God and Political Implications
- [03:46] - Civil Obedience and God's Ordination
- [05:14] - Paul's Context: Roman Government
- [06:20] - God and Godless Governments
- [07:00] - Hierarchical Authority
- [08:20] - Obedience for Christ's Glory
- [09:06] - Corporate Sin and Lawlessness
- [11:28] - The Antichrist and Lawlessness
- [13:33] - Early Church and Civil Obedience
- [15:29] - Justin Martyr's Defense
- [17:05] - Limits of Obedience to Authority
- [20:26] - Government as Force and Restraint
- [23:30] - Augustine on Government
- [26:05] - Separation of Church and State
- [27:04] - Christian Participation in Government

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 13:1-7
- Acts 5:29
- Matthew 28:18

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 13, what is the source of all authority, and how should Christians respond to governing authorities? [01:13]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Christianity and politics, particularly in the context of the Kingdom of God? [02:45]

3. What examples from the early church illustrate the limits of obedience to government as discussed in the sermon? [17:05]

4. How does the sermon explain the role of government as a restraint of evil, even when it is corrupt? [20:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean for Christians to live in a way that reflects the kingship of Jesus, even under secular governments? How might this look in practical terms? [03:02]

2. The sermon mentions that Christians are called to be model citizens. How does this align with the idea of having ultimate allegiance to Christ? [15:29]

3. In what ways can Christians participate in government without merging church and state, according to the sermon? [27:04]

4. How does the concept of government as a necessary force established by God challenge or affirm your current understanding of political authority? [23:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with respecting a governing authority. How might the understanding that all authority is from God change your perspective? [01:13]

2. In what ways can you actively live out the political dimension of Christianity by proclaiming the Kingdom of God in your daily life? [02:45]

3. Consider a situation where you might need to choose between obeying God and obeying human authorities. How can you prepare yourself to make that decision faithfully? [17:05]

4. How can you engage in government or community service to bring Christian values into the public sphere without compromising your faith? [27:04]

5. Identify a current government policy or action that you believe contradicts God's law. How can you respond in a way that honors God while advocating for change? [17:22]

6. Think about a specific area in your life where you can be a model citizen. What steps can you take to ensure your actions reflect your faith in Christ? [15:29]

7. How can you pray for and support governmental leaders, even those you disagree with, in a way that aligns with the teachings of Romans 13? [06:47]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Authority in Human Governance
Christians are called to recognize that all authority originates from God, and earthly governments are established by Him to maintain order and restrain evil. This understanding challenges believers to see beyond human institutions to the divine purpose behind them. By respecting and being subject to these authorities, Christians reflect their submission to God. This does not mean blind allegiance but a conscious acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over all earthly powers. In doing so, Christians honor God and contribute to the stability and peace of society. [01:13]

"For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." (Romans 13:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate respect for authority in your daily life as a reflection of your submission to God?


Day 2: The Political Dimension of Christianity
The New Testament's focus on the Kingdom of God inherently carries a political dimension, as it proclaims the reign of Christ over all creation. This calls Christians to live in a way that reflects Christ's kingship, even under secular governments. Recognizing that their ultimate allegiance is to God, believers are encouraged to embody the values of the Kingdom in their interactions with the world. This means living out the principles of justice, mercy, and humility, regardless of the political climate or the nature of the government in power. [02:45]

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively reflect the values of Christ's Kingdom in your interactions with others today?


Day 3: Limits of Obedience to Government
While Christians are called to be model citizens, their obedience to government has limits. When a government's commands conflict with God's law, Christians must choose to obey God. This principle underscores the importance of discerning when civil disobedience is necessary to remain faithful to Christ. The early church exemplified this balance, as believers honored and prayed for authorities while maintaining ultimate allegiance to Christ, even in the face of persecution. [17:05]

"But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" (Acts 5:29, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you feel torn between obeying human authority and God's commands? How can you seek God's wisdom in navigating this tension?


Day 4: Government as a Restraint of Evil
Government is a necessary force established by God to restrain evil and protect society. Even corrupt governments serve a purpose in preventing anarchy, which would lead to greater chaos. This perspective encourages Christians to appreciate the role of government while advocating for justice and righteousness. By participating in the political process and holding authorities accountable, believers can contribute to a more just and equitable society. [20:26]

"For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good." (Romans 13:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to promoting justice and righteousness within your community or government?


Day 5: Christian Participation in Government
Christians are encouraged to engage in government as a means of serving God and society. This involvement is not about merging church and state but about bringing Christian values into the public sphere. The separation of church and state does not mean the separation of state and God, and Christians have a role in both realms. By participating in civic duties and advocating for policies that align with biblical principles, believers can influence society for the better. [27:04]

"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take to engage with your local government or community in a way that reflects your faith and values?

Quotes

"Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God. Let me just pause there for a second. There is no authority except from God. That is the ground basis and the foundation of all authority in the universe resides in the character of God. It does not reside in the will of man or in the will of human institutions but ultimately authority derives from the author of all things namely God himself." [00:01:05]

"Christianity, as a life and worldview, as a living faith, is not merely a religion isolated from other dimensions of human life. That's why we're dealing with these different concerns here. But that Christianity in its essential message is pervasively political. It is pervasively political. As I say, that may shock your ears off, but what I have in mind here is that the theme of the New Testament that we hear again and again and again is the announcement of the coming kingdom of God, the rule of God, the reign of God over this world." [00:02:19]

"Therefore, he who resists authority has opposed the ordination or the ordinance of God, and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. So the text here is concerned about civil obedience, the Christian's responsibility to be subject to earthly spheres of authority, seeing in those spheres of authority an authority that derives from God himself. For again, Paul says there is no government, there is no authority except that which is established, instituted, and ordained of God." [00:03:50]

"How in the world could God be related to a godless government? How can God ordain an ungodly political institution? That's what has been so troublesome to people who wrestle with the responsibility that the church has with respect to matters of civil obedience because this passage incidentally is not an isolated one in the New Testament. Again and again, we are told to honor the king, to subject ourselves to the magistrates, and Saint Peter tells us that we are to submit ourselves to the civil magistrates that Christ might be honored." [00:06:08]

"All earthly government is in a sense hierarchical, that all human authority from the dog catcher up to the governor and to the senator and to the prince or the king or to the president, whatever, all comes under the authority of God and of his Christ. Now, does that mean that every one of these human authorities exercises godly rule? Of course not, we know that, and it is very possible for there to be, as Paul speaks of elsewhere, spiritual wickedness in high places, in governments." [00:07:03]

"The operative principle in the New Testament for the Christian is obeying the civil magistrate, not because we are trying to exalt the human authorities but we recognize that behind those authorities stands the authority of Christ and the authority of God. Okay, again, Peter's statement, obey the civil magistrates that Christ may be glorified. How does my obedience of the political institutions and the civil magistrates bring honor to Jesus?" [00:08:13]

"Justin Martyr addressed his essay to the then Roman emperor Antoninus Pius and he was answering the charges that were brought against the Christians. I mean, you know, even Nero couldn't just send people to the lions or use Christians for human torches without some kind of legal justification. Charges were brought against the Christians and those charges included that they were atheists. Why? Because they did not believe in the gods of the Roman pantheon, no bowing to Jupiter and so on." [00:13:56]

"The third and biggest justification for the persecutions of the Romans was that the Christians were called to be seditious insurrectionists because they refused to recite publicly the loyalty oath of the empire, which in effect deified the emperor and they were required to say simply 'Kaiser Curios,' Caesar is lord, and they refused. They said we say 'Jesus ho Curios,' Jesus is lord, and in response, therefore, because their refusal to submit to the absolute allegiance to the emperor that the emperor demanded, they were accused of being civilly disobedient and therefore thrown to the lions." [00:14:50]

"If the civil authority commands you, if this lower level of authority commands you to do something that God has forbidden or forbid you from doing something God has commanded, not only may you disobey but you must disobey. You must always obey God rather than men, but you're not called to disobey simply because you don't like the policies or simply because they inconvenience you or even may cause you to suffer because God has not commanded you to live a life free of suffering." [00:17:01]

"Government is force, and it exists under God as a force to restrain evil for what purpose? Bottom line, for the survival of the race, for the protection, the sustaining, and the maintenance of human life and property, okay, and God gives it authority and the power to back up that authority. That's why governments not only have law but they also have law enforcement agencies." [00:20:21]

"Augustine said this: governments are a necessary evil, not because every government is necessarily evil but by the fact that government itself is made necessary by the fact of evil and that even though governments may be oppressive and exploitive and corrupt, the worst government is still better than what? No government, because the no government syndrome which guarantees absolute freedom also gives absolute freedom to the unrighteous people who can wield their power and corruption with no protection available to the innocent and the weak." [00:23:30]

"Historically in this country, we hold the idea of separation of church and state, but both church and state are under God. Church has its function, state has its function to perform, and so when the state is performing the function to which God has called it, we as people who are subjects of God should not be resisting it but should be participating in it." [00:26:05]

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Transcript
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