God's Authority: Our Role in Government and Society
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Romans 13 to understand the role of government and our responsibilities as Christians toward governing authorities. We began by recognizing that God has ordained three primary institutions for human society: the family, the church, and the government. The family was established first in Genesis 2, followed by the church in the New Testament, and then civil government after the flood in Genesis 9. The primary role of government, as outlined in Romans 13, is to cultivate good and punish evil. This is essential for maintaining a healthy and orderly society.
Paul's exhortation in Romans 13 is particularly challenging because he wrote it during the reign of Nero, a ruler who persecuted Christians. Despite this, Paul still referred to government leaders as God's ministers, emphasizing that God can use any leader, good or bad, to fulfill His purposes. This teaches us that our ultimate allegiance is to God, but we are also called to respect and obey governing authorities as long as their laws do not conflict with God's higher law.
We also discussed the importance of voting for leaders who align with biblical values, as this can help ensure that government policies promote good and punish evil. However, there are times when civil disobedience is not only permissible but necessary. When human laws conflict with God's laws or our conscience as followers of Christ, we are obligated to obey God rather than man. Examples from the Bible, such as the Hebrew midwives in Exodus, Daniel, and his friends, and the apostles in Acts, illustrate this principle.
Finally, we explored how the Bible influenced the formation of the United States government. Many principles in the U.S. Constitution, such as the separation of powers and tax exemption for churches, are rooted in biblical teachings. As Christians, we have a responsibility to be good citizens, honor our leaders, and stand firm in our faith, even when it requires civil disobedience.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Ordained Institutions: God has established three primary institutions for human society: the family, the church, and the government. Each serves a unique role in maintaining order and promoting the well-being of society. Understanding these roles helps us appreciate the divine order and our responsibilities within it. [01:11]
2. Role of Government: The primary role of government, according to the Bible, is to cultivate good and punish evil. This dual responsibility serves as guardrails for a healthy and orderly society. When government fulfills this role, it helps maintain freedom and prosperity. [14:58]
3. Respecting Authority: Christians are called to respect and obey governing authorities because they are instituted by God. This respect is not contingent on the leader's morality or our agreement with their policies but on our recognition of God's sovereignty. However, our ultimate allegiance is to God, and His law supersedes human laws. [17:55]
4. Civil Disobedience: There are times when civil disobedience is not only permissible but necessary. When human laws conflict with God's higher law or our conscience as followers of Christ, we are obligated to obey God rather than man. This principle is illustrated in the lives of biblical figures like Daniel and the apostles. [21:48]
5. Biblical Influence on Government: The Bible has significantly influenced the formation of the United States government. Principles such as the separation of powers and tax exemption for churches are rooted in biblical teachings. As Christians, we should vote for leaders who align with biblical values to ensure that government policies promote good and punish evil. [30:59]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - God's Ordained Institutions
[02:20] - Role of Government in the Bible
[03:22] - Practical Counsel from Romans 13
[05:13] - Reading Romans 13:1-7
[06:41] - The Role of Government Leaders
[08:56] - God's Ministers in Government
[10:05] - God's Use of Pagan and Sinful Leaders
[11:41] - Respecting Authority
[12:20] - Context of Paul's Writing
[14:18] - Primary Role of Government
[14:58] - Cultivating Good and Punishing Evil
[16:02] - Voting for Biblical Values
[17:55] - Submitting to Governing Authorities
[18:27] - Consequences of Disobedience
[19:35] - Honor and Obey the King
[21:00] - When to Disobey Government
[21:48] - Examples of Civil Disobedience
[25:50] - COVID-19 and Church Closure
[29:13] - Standing by Convictions
[30:23] - Biblical Influence on U.S. Government
[33:15] - Self-Governing Under God
[34:30] - Prayer for Government Leaders
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Romans 13:1-7
- Genesis 9:6
- 1 Peter 2:13-17
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 13:1-7, what are the two main responsibilities of government? ([14:58])
2. How does Genesis 9:6 describe the first responsibility given to civil government after the flood? ([02:20])
3. In 1 Peter 2:13-17, what reasons does Peter give for submitting to governing authorities? ([19:35])
4. What examples of civil disobedience are mentioned in the sermon, and what were the reasons behind them? ([22:28])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul refer to government leaders as "God's ministers" in Romans 13, even during the reign of a ruler like Nero? ([08:56])
2. How does the principle of "cultivating good and punishing evil" in Romans 13:3-4 align with the responsibilities of government today? ([14:58])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's sovereignty and our responsibility to vote for leaders who align with biblical values? ([16:02])
4. How do the examples of civil disobedience in the Bible (e.g., Daniel, the Hebrew midwives) inform our understanding of when it is necessary to disobey human laws? ([21:48])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to respect a governing authority you disagreed with. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? ([13:01])
2. How can you actively participate in voting for leaders who align with biblical values? What steps can you take to be more informed and engaged in this process? ([16:02])
3. Have you ever faced a situation where obeying a human law conflicted with your conscience or God's higher law? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([21:48])
4. In what ways can you show respect and honor to governing authorities while maintaining your ultimate allegiance to God? ([17:55])
5. How can you balance being a good citizen with the need for civil disobedience when necessary? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are honoring God in both areas? ([21:00])
6. The sermon mentioned the influence of the Bible on the formation of the United States government. How does this historical context impact your view of the role of government today? ([30:23])
7. Think of a current issue where you feel the government is not aligning with biblical values. How can you address this issue in a way that is respectful, informed, and faithful to your Christian beliefs? ([33:55])
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding God's Ordained Institutions
God has established three primary institutions for human society: the family, the church, and the government. Each of these institutions serves a unique role in maintaining order and promoting the well-being of society. The family, established first in Genesis 2, is the foundational unit where individuals learn love, respect, and responsibility. The church, introduced in the New Testament, serves as the spiritual community where believers gather to worship, grow in faith, and support one another. The government, instituted after the flood in Genesis 9, is responsible for cultivating good and punishing evil, ensuring a healthy and orderly society.
Recognizing these roles helps us appreciate the divine order and our responsibilities within it. As Christians, we are called to honor and uphold these institutions, understanding that they are part of God's plan for human flourishing. By fulfilling our roles within the family, church, and society, we contribute to the greater good and reflect God's design for a harmonious world. [01:11]
Genesis 2:24 (ESV): "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the well-being of your family, church, and society today?
Day 2: The Role of Government
The primary role of government, according to the Bible, is to cultivate good and punish evil. This dual responsibility serves as guardrails for a healthy and orderly society. When government fulfills this role, it helps maintain freedom and prosperity. Romans 13 emphasizes that governing authorities are instituted by God and serve as His ministers to execute justice. This understanding calls Christians to respect and obey the laws of the land, recognizing that government plays a crucial role in God's plan for societal order.
However, it is essential to remember that our ultimate allegiance is to God. While we are called to respect and obey governing authorities, this respect is not contingent on the leader's morality or our agreement with their policies but on our recognition of God's sovereignty. By supporting and praying for our leaders, we contribute to a society that upholds justice and righteousness. [14:58]
Romans 13:3-4 (ESV): "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. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer."
Reflection: In what ways can you support and pray for your local and national leaders to promote justice and righteousness?
Day 3: Respecting Authority
Christians are called to respect and obey governing authorities because they are instituted by God. This respect is not contingent on the leader's morality or our agreement with their policies but on our recognition of God's sovereignty. Romans 13 teaches that all authority comes from God, and those in positions of power are His servants. This perspective helps us maintain a posture of humility and submission, even when we disagree with our leaders.
However, our ultimate allegiance is to God, and His law supersedes human laws. When faced with laws or policies that conflict with God's commands, we must prioritize obedience to God. This balance of respect for authority and unwavering commitment to God's higher law requires wisdom and discernment. By seeking God's guidance, we can navigate the complexities of living under human authority while remaining faithful to His commands. [17:55]
1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV): "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good."
Reflection: How can you show respect for authority while maintaining your commitment to God's higher law in your daily life?
Day 4: Civil Disobedience
There are times when civil disobedience is not only permissible but necessary. When human laws conflict with God's higher law or our conscience as followers of Christ, we are obligated to obey God rather than man. This principle is illustrated in the lives of biblical figures like Daniel, who continued to pray despite the king's decree, and the apostles, who preached the gospel despite being ordered to stop. These examples remind us that our ultimate loyalty is to God and His commands.
Civil disobedience should be approached with prayer, wisdom, and a clear understanding of God's will. It is not an act of rebellion but a commitment to uphold God's righteousness. When we choose to disobey unjust laws, we must be prepared to face the consequences, trusting that God will honor our faithfulness. By standing firm in our convictions, we bear witness to God's truth and justice in a world that often opposes His ways. [21:48]
Acts 5:29 (ESV): "But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'"
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you need to choose obedience to God over compliance with human authority? How can you seek God's guidance in this matter?
Day 5: Biblical Influence on Government
The Bible has significantly influenced the formation of the United States government. Principles such as the separation of powers and tax exemption for churches are rooted in biblical teachings. The founding fathers recognized the importance of these principles in creating a just and equitable society. As Christians, we have a responsibility to be informed and engaged citizens, voting for leaders who align with biblical values to ensure that government policies promote good and punish evil.
By participating in the democratic process, we can help shape a society that reflects God's justice and righteousness. This involvement is not just a civic duty but a spiritual responsibility. We are called to be salt and light in the world, influencing our culture and government for the better. By staying informed, praying for our leaders, and voting according to biblical principles, we can contribute to a society that honors God and upholds His values. [30:59]
Proverbs 29:2 (ESV): "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in the democratic process to promote leaders and policies that align with biblical values? What steps can you take today to be a more informed and engaged citizen?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The first institution that he ordained was the family. Family. In Genesis chapter 2, God established the family almost immediately following the creation of the universe. And the family is the building block of any functioning civilization. In Genesis 2.24, God said, therefore, man shall leave his father and mother and be joined or united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. So family was the first institution that God ordained." [01:11] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Christians should be the best citizens. Now that doesn't mean we always agree with everything. You have to remember Paul is writing here in the first century A.D. This is the Roman Empire. The king during this time, the emperor is Nero. Nero was no friend of Christians. Quite the opposite. Nero, history records, would sometimes dip Christians alive in tar and then light them aflame as human torches in his garden. That's Nero." [12:20] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So we don't always know what God is up to. But we must make room for the providential hand of God to work in national leaders. Daniel in Daniel 2.21 says that God raises up kings and he deposes them. He exalts them and then he removes them. Daniel 2.21 makes room for the fact that God is providentially involved in orchestrating government leaders for the overall benefit of the people." [11:41] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When government properly fulfills its duty to cultivate the good and punish the evil, it helps to maintain a free, prosperous, and orderly society. Thus, this is why it is so important that we have this privilege of living in the United States of America. That's why we need to exercise the vote very wisely, and we need to vote for men and women who most closely align with our biblical values." [15:27] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you abandon that, now you become, it becomes very subjective morality. Because there's no objective truth. When we deny God's word, we lose objective truth. And then man becomes his own authority. And so we're seeing some of this happening in our own society these days. And ideally, ideally government should be guided by God and His word." [17:22] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Despite the bad rap that politicians often get, I want you to notice, if you didn't already, as I read through those first seven verses of chapter 13, that not once, not twice, but three times in this passage, Paul refers to government leaders as God's ministers. Did you see that? Some of your translations use the word servants instead of ministers. Three times, Paul writes here in these first seven verses that government leaders are actually God's ministers. God's servants." [08:56] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So here are the four questions. First one, what does the Bible say is the primary role of government? Now before I get into that specific answer about what the Bible has to say, the preamble to the United States Constitution reads in part as follows. We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." [14:18] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Whenever the higher law of God conflicts with the lower law of man, or whenever your conscience would be violated if you had to obey civil authorities, then the answer is you are free to disobey. In order to honor God supremely, who is higher than any earthly king, any earthly president, any earthly governor. Now listen, hopefully, those will be rare cases. Hopefully. But we are not only free to disobey whenever man's laws contradict the higher law of God or our conscience as followers of Jesus Christ, but listen to me on this, we are obligated to disobey." [21:48] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Some of you have had to deal with this very personally because your employer has asked you to do something that you know is either contrary to God's word or a violation of your conscience in Jesus. And some of you have lost your jobs because of it. And God's going to take care of you. But it is here. It's here. It's now where certain authorities, whether it's an employer or whether it's the government, may ask us and has already asked us to do things. And again, some of you have lost jobs over this." [29:52] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Bible is showing us how God shaped our United States government. But it was what they call an experiment, right? Because for the first time, man was expected to be self-governing. That government was not to be a dictator, an oligarchy. It was to be a safeguard for a society to promote the good and to punish the evil. But otherwise, we are to be a self-governing people. And how can you be a self-governing people without the Lord?" [33:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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