The Government is God’s Servant

Isn’t it good to know that everything in this world is under God’s control?  God’s mighty hands have been, are, and will always be shaping the course of world history so that his children are kept safe for eternity.

But as we study the way in which God controls and directs the world, it is obvious that he does not always deal with human beings directly.  Sometimes he operates through agents or representatives.  For instance, sometimes God uses angels, like he did when he sent angels to spare Abraham’s nephew Lot from the perverse people of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Or when he sent his angels to shut the mouths of lions while Daniel was in their den.  God also has used human beings as his agents or representatives.  For example, he wants an environment of love and acceptance in the home, so he established parents as his agents.  Another example: God wants his message about human sin and divine rescue communicated to people.  To accomplish that, he has determined to use human beings as his agents, his representatives, his spokes-people.  All the prophets like Jonah and Joel, Isaiah and Ezekiel were spokesmen of God’s threats against sinners and promises to forgive sin.  He still uses people like you and me as his agents, his spokes-people today.

In the second Scripture lesson for this day the apostle Paul describes for us another category of God’s agents – governing authorities. 

“Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. For no authority exists except by God.”

Every prince, president, mayor, and dictator ultimately rule only because God permits it.  Remember what Jesus told the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate,

“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above” (Jn 19:11).

We want to listen to God’s Word about government today.  For one thing, this is the 250^th Anniversary of our county!  This is a time to celebrate our nation’s heritage.  Secondly, there are times when it looks like things are out of control and God is not paying attention.  We need to be sure in our hearts and minds whether that is true or not. God does want us to know that

THE GOVERNMENT IS GOD’S SERVANT

Submit to governing authorities

Last week we heard how God chose Moses to be the administrator and leader for the Israelites.  But while Moses was on the mountain getting from God the rules and regulations for Israelite behavior, they were down below worshiping a golden calf.  When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, he smashed the idol to pieces and had the Levites kill those involved, about three thousand people.  40 years later, after the Lord gave the Israelites a miraculous victory by knocking down the walls of Jericho, an Israelite named Achan stole some of the plunder and goodies which were to be dedicated solely to God.  Joshua, the new leader, had him arrested, tried, and put to death.  500 years later, when Solomon took over as king after his father David, he immediately cleaned out his father’s enemies.  While we know that our Lord Jesus was perfectly innocent, there were two truly guilty criminals crucified on either side of him.  All of these Bible examples serve to illustrate one major sphere of activity that God has entrusted to governing authorities, namely, the punishment of wrong-doers.  The apostle wrote,

“² Therefore the one who rebels against the authority is opposing God’s institution, and those who oppose will bring judgment on themselves.  ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to evil. Would you like to have no fear of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will receive praise from him, ⁴ because he is God’s servant for your benefit. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because he does not carry the sword without reason. He is God’s servant, a punisher to bring wrath on the wrongdoer.” (2-3,4c). 

Nothing is said in these passages about how much punishment should be doled out for each crime.  You will never find a Bible passage that says, “10 years for armed robbery, 30 years for arson, and 50 years for manslaughter.”  No!  God wants governing authorities to use common sense to determine levels of punishment.  Hopefully the punishment will fit the crime.  That hasn’t always been the case among all nations.  There have been places and times in history where some governing authorities have been too lenient and some too harsh!  But regardless of whether you think some criminals are getting off scot-free and others are getting abused, the principle stands: the government is God’s servant,

“But if you do wrong, be afraid, because he does not carry the sword without reason. He is God’s servant, a punisher to bring wrath on the wrongdoer.”

Can you imagine what the world would be like with no government to make laws and enforce them?  There would be mass confusion and chaos.  We would live in total fear.  But God is a God of order.  He has established government as his servant to provide peace and order for society so Christians can live in safety.  That’s why we want to submit to governing authorities.  They enforce order, punish wrongdoers, and provide us at least a measure of safety.

Look how good we have it in America.  Just talk to someone who grew up in the war zones of the Middle East.  We have reason to be thankful.  But go beyond the obvious.  Sure, we are thankful for freedom of speech and worship.  Think of all the other things that add to our peace and safety.  The government sets up a police force to protect us, a fire department to spare us from disaster, and military forces to defend our borders.  Even little things like crosswalks and curbs, and handicapped accessible parking spots keep us safe and healthy.  Therefore, we gladly submit to authorities.

But wait a minute!  Gladly submit?  You are zooming down the freeway with your foot nicely situated on the accelerator, cruising just ahead of the traffic, and then all of a sudden you see the sheriff’s car sitting behind the bridge support in the median.  Oh, no!  You hit the brakes and hope like crazy that you won’t see lights flashing in your rear-view mirror.  What does that tell us?  It tells us that you and I are still dragging a sinful nature around with us every day.  We need forgiveness from Jesus.  Thank God we have it!  And one way we express our thankfulness to God is by submitting to his representatives, his agents.  That’s why Paul addressed our attitude adjustment,

“⁵ Therefore it is necessary to submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of conscience.”

What strikes us as truly amazing is that Paul also applied this principle of submitting to authorities even when they were not so good.  He had personal experience with the flip side of the coin, rulers who were oppressive and unjust.  He had been jailed in Philippi, beaten in Corinth, detained and imprisoned for two years in Caesarea, and again in Rome.  Did Paul revolt?  Did he stir up riots against rulers?  Did he publish letters to depose evil kings?  No!  He didn’t even complain.  He did what God wanted him to do – submit to government authorities as God’s servant, trusting that God would ultimately use bad rulers for the good of believers.  The apostle was convinced that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Ro 8:39).  When taken to Rome for two more years of captivity, Paul was under house arrest, but he used his time to strengthen the congregations there and to write to other congregations.  Four of those letters are books of the Bible.

We are not talking here about instances where the government orders believers to do something contrary to God’s Word and will.  In that case Paul would certainly agree with Peter and John, “We must obey God rather than people” (Ac 5:29).  If the government would say, “Worship is illegal!” then we would have to disobey and suffer the consequences.  But, in general, God is laying down principles about our attitude.  Recognize that the government is God’s servant.  As such, we want to submit to governing authorities.

Support governing authorities

Aging parents need care from their children.  God’s spokesmen need support from those who benefit from their ministry.  In the same way governing authorities need support. 

“⁶ For this reason you also pay taxes, because the authorities are God’s ministers, who are employed to do this very thing. ⁷ Pay what you owe to all of them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed.”

Don’t Paul’s words remind you of what the Savior said,

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mt 22:21)?

Notice that neither Jesus nor Paul said anything about the amount of taxes.  True enough, some rulers have overtaxed people, but that doesn’t mean we can withhold support.  We owe God everything for his gift of eternal life, and we owe him thanks for establishing governing authorities.  Part of our thankfulness to God is shown as we gladly support governing authorities.

But wait a minute!  Gladly support?  What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see the deductions from your paycheck?  “Lord, thank you.  You have been so marvelous to me in giving eternal life.  I’m so thankful to you that I don’t have to pay for my sins because I would have to spend an eternity in hell making that payment.  So this portion of my income that goes to the government really isn’t that big a deal.  It may be a bit more than I would personally choose to pay, but then again, I not only get the blessing of government protection for my life and property but better yet, I don’t have to pay a cent for my sins!”?  Is that what goes through your mind?  Probably not!   We still drag that sinful nature around with us each day.  That’s why Paul addressed our attitude adjustment. 

“If you [owe] respect, then [give] respect; if honor, then honor” (7b).

Daniel acknowledged Nebuchadnezzar’s status as king even though Nebuchadnezzar was godless.  Paul addressed governors, judges, and town magistrates with respect and honor even when on trial before them under false charges.   Daniel and Paul showed humble respect and honor, and when the opportunity arose, presented the simple facts about God’s great love through Jesus.  God wants support for his agents to be not just an outward show but also an inner attitude.

Some of us remember hearing about flags burnt to show disrespect for the government.  Scandals in the White House leave many Americans a little apprehensive about their rulers.  Yet, we support them with taxes and respect because they serve as God’s agents.  God will eventually judge unjust rulers.  In the meantime, government authorities remain God’s servant, and he will use their work for our ultimate good.  So we support governing authorities.

Fireworks, flag waving, concerts from the Washington mall, and patriotic songs call attention to our nation’s good points and raise our level of patriotism.  We are rightly reminded on this weekend to thank God for what citizens of the United States of America have enjoyed for 250 years!  But we also need to keep in mind that our nation is but a drop in the bucket of world history. But God has seen fit to place us into this land at this time in history.  Today we can go home and enjoy a Sunday afternoon rest.  God has given us an even greater blessing!  We are governed by God’s Servants!  We are free and safe to worship as we please. Today we worship by giving thanks to Jesus Christ that we have true rest in the gospel!  Yes, every person will have difficult days in their country, but God has already blessed our native land, and thanks be to God – we Christians Find Rest in Jesus!  Amen!