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The Believer and Civil Government

Submitting to Authority

December 7, 2021 By LMW

The Christian and Civil Government

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Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  1 Peter 2:13-14 NIV

Submit to national and local officials. This is a hard pill to swallow when one is being persecuted and has lost much because of the persecution. But note: the word submit is an imperative; it is a strong command. God expects believers to submit themselves to the laws of government.

Without law and the keeping of the law, there can be no society and no community, no life together, no bond to tie people together. Law, rulers, and their authority are an utter necessity to keep people from becoming wild beasts in a jungle of unrestrained selfishness and lawlessness.

Chaos is not God's will for the world; law and order are God's will. God's will is that we would live in a world of love, joy, and peace- a world of perfect law and order. God has ordained that the family exist as the means by which family members share together, and that the office of parents rule within the family.

God has ordained that the church exist as the means by which people share with God, and that the office of church leaders exercise authority within the church.
God has ordained that the government exist as the means by which citizens relate to each other, and that the office of government officials exercise authority within the state.

Civil authorities execute justice for God. They rule to execute punishment for evil-doers and to reward those who do well and work good throughout the state. Rulers are not ordained by God to be a restraint upon good works, but upon evil. Civil authorities and laws exist to restrain evil; therefore, any believer who breaks the law can expect to be punished by the state.

Taxes…

November 30, 2021 By LMW

The Christian and Civil Government 

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For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

Romans 13:3-6 NIV

The government is ordained to provide benefits through taxes. Note three points:

1) The government provides justice, protection, and services for its citizens. It is the agreement between the law and the people to live by the law that keeps the strong from dominating the weak. It is also the state that often provides services such as roads, public transportation, and electricity.
2) The government keeps the world from diving into chaos. Whatever peace is known within a country, it is known through the government that exists. It is not perfect peace, but usually within its boundaries there is a semblance of peace.
b. The believer is, therefore, to pay taxes. Every citizen is obligated to the government for the benefits which he receives from the state. Certain benefits come from the cooperative effort of people within a state. A man could not receive these benefits acting as an individual. These benefits and privileges are his because the government has brought them about. Therefore, the man is obligated to the state to pay his share.
c. The believer is not only to pay taxes, but he is to pay whatever is due to every person. The word pay (teleō) means to fulfill or to complete. The believer is to fulfill his obligations no matter what they are.
⇒ If a nation is due tribute (taxes), he is to pay his tribute.
⇒ If a civil authority is due customs (taxes), he is to pay his custom.
⇒ If an authority or person is due fear, he is to reverence the authority or person.
⇒ If an authority or person is due honor, he is to honor the authority or person.
Very simply, the believer is to live above reproach before all people, and this includes being a good citizen of his government.

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