Have you ever been upset about government actions or inactions? I have. Have you ever wondered what the government was thinking when they decided to go a certain direction? I have. Do you wonder why our government exists? Do you wonder whether government knows the difference between good and evil? I do. Do you know the importance of government knowing what is good and what is evil? Let’s consider what I have learned.
The Bible is clear in stating that all authority comes from God. It is also clear that God grants His authority to all earthly leaders and that I should follow them. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (ESV) I believe there is one exception to following them and that is when they want me to do something that is contrary to God’s revealed will. For example, Peter and the Apostles would not stop preaching the Gospel when they were told to by the government authorities to stop.See Acts 5:17-42.
I also know God’s authority given to the government is to encourage what is good and to punish what is evil. “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.” Romans 13:3b-4 (ESV) There is then a presumption that rulers understand what is good and what is evil. When they do not bad things happen. In the Old Testament there is the story of a king and queen who did not understand this God given authority. King Ahab wanted a vineyard which was owned by Naboth. Basically, Queen Jezebel told Ahab that they should obtain Naboth’s vineyard by having him murdered by false accusation. As a result, God told Ahab through Elijah that Ahab’s blood would be licked up by dogs in the field and Queen Jezebel would be eaten by dogs and the reset of his family would be destroyed. See I Kings 21.
We see a good example of a ruler in the beginning of his reign in King Solomon. King Solomon when told by God that he could have what ever he wanted responded, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 1Kings 3:9 (ESV) God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that God said, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” 1 Kings 3:11-14 As Solomon prospered so did the nation of Israel.
There are times I wonder why God gave government authority over others particularly when they make bad laws. Although I don’t understand, I trust God knows. I will obey those in authority until they instruct me to do contrary to what God’s Word teaches me and then I will peacefully resist and endure whatever the consequences will be. In the meantime I will pray for my leaders to understand what is good and evil, which I believe comes only when they have a relationship with the only true and living God and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.
Join me in praying for our elected officials and government employees that they might know and understand what is good and evil for us to live a peaceful and quite life giving the ability to share the Gospel with others. It says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (ESV) We can choose to follow what the Bible teaches us and know what is right and wrong. We also understand that the death of Jesus on the cross has taken away the sins of mankind. All you need to do is accept Jesus. It is by far the greatest choice you will ever make. Understanding that you will live eternally knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ and this what brings the greatest hope all because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross satisfying the penalty for sins. His payment satisfies all my sins from the past, in the present and in the future. My penalty and yours was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus, God’s greatest act of love and wrath, who became sin for me and you. It was also God’s greatest act of faithfulness because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) Because holiness shows us, we need to believe in Jesus. I hope that you join me in helping others to choose Jesus.
If you have not read my previous blogs, you can find them here.
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazonor Google
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazonor Google
