THE ROLE OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT

Romans 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

The lesson text, the first seven verses of this chapter, tell us the importance of the role civil government plays in God's plan for every soul - that is for all mankind - every person on earth. Paul states that there is no power but of God, then proceeds to tell us that God has delegated the administration of earthly government to civil authorities. Although this plan is necessary, it, at times, is difficult to accept and understand. For instance, how can our all-powerful, omniscient God ordain and accept, as His ministers on earth, the ruthless, oppressive, and inept governments, such as existed in Rome at the time Paul wrote this letter? Evil, incapable governments have always existed in various parts of the world from the beginning of time to present day, and will probably continue to exist in future ages.

Elsewhere in God's word, we are told to submit to civil governments. For instance, Paul admonished Titus, as he preached the gospel message to Christians on the island of Crete, that he was to put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates (Titus 3:1). Also, the apostle, Peter, told the Christians he addressed in his epistle, to submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king (1 Peter 2:13-17). In each citation above, all levels of civil government are included, not just presidents, governors, emperors, and kings, but to all magistrates and deputies under them to which various powers have been delegated. Indeed, God's over-all plan for mankind on earth includes civil governments.

Treason - to betray one's country through acts of treachery. Sedition - to stir up resistance and discontent that leads to insurrection. Rebellion - to initiate, organize, or support acts of open, armed resistance to a government. Anarchy - to create political disorder through acts of lawlessness, terror, or violence designed to overthrow any government that is currently in place. These are just a few acts that describe resistance to the power (government) that, likewise, demonstrates resistance to the ordinance of God. Such acts are driven by inordinate, self-satisfying desires for power and authority; that violently seek to overturn an active, established government. Those that initiate and support such acts of violent resistances shall, from the power of God, receive to themselves damnation.

Each of us can site exceptions to good government, both from our own observations, as well as from history. However, the general rule remains true, that rulers (those vested with the responsibility of establishing and maintaining civil justice) are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Good, law-abiding citizens are not to fear those that govern; only those that disregard the law and do evil deeds. The lesson text tells us that if we do that which is good, ...thou shalt have praise of the same, for he is the minister of God to thee for good.

Punishment meted out for civil disobedience is designed to, both, protect society from harm, and deter those that may willfully offend and violate the rights of other citizens. The fear of punishment is one way governmental officials curtail criminal injustice. Of this Paul writes, but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Paul has already told us that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Rom. 12:19), but the lesson text tells us that God has delegated His vengeance on earth to governmental authorities. Since God has granted them this power, it is His vengeance that is being carried out. It is these civil officials that God uses to execute wrath (or just punishment) upon him that doeth evil. It would be good to say here, that just punishment is not to be meted out by governmental officials at their whim of imagination, or according to their own feelings. Rather those that govern are to uphold and execute punishment based on laws that have been enacted on behalf of the citizenship of the country in which they owe their allegiance.

Verse five, of the lesson text, tells us that there are two reasons we are to obey governmental officials. The first is the fear of punishment if we violate the laws of the land. The second is that we know it is what God requires us to do, and, if we fail to do so, we will violate, and be convicted, in our own minds, for conscientiously breaking a law we know to exist. Good, Christian citizens will maintain civil obedience because we know it to be the will of God, and we do it in order to maintain a good conscience. Not only are we to accept and obey it, but also verse 6, of the lesson text, says we must pay tribute, or taxes in order to support civil government by funding it. Why? Because they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing (that of administering civil justice on earth as God's servants).

Paul now writes that, in order for Christians to be obedient to the will of God, they are to obey His servants, the civil authorities on earth - to render therefore to all their dues. We are required pay tribute to whom tribute is due. Jesus, Himself, spoke of taxes as a civil obligation (See Matt. 17:25-27 & 22:19-21). Taxes are assessed by, and are to be paid, to our government, in order for it to be sufficiently funded to carry out their civil responsibilities. Tribute, or taxes, are not to be considered charitable contributions and given as we see fit. Taxes, when assessed by our government, become our civil indebtedness. Just as we become debtor to a utility company for their services rendered, so we become indebted to our government for the service they render to us, in maintaining the safety and welfare of our country, state, and community.

We are required to pay custom to whom custom is due. Most bible scholars consider custom as the tariffs levied on the imports entering a political entity, such as our country, state, etc. All seem to think that this was the occupation of the Apostle, Matthew. He was sitting at the receipt of custom when chosen by Jesus to follow Me (Matt. 9:10).

We are required to render fear to whom fear is due. The wisdom of Solomon is summed up in the last two verses of Ecclesiastes, when he wrote, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Vss. 13-14). From this passage we know that we are to fear God, that is, to reverence and stand in awe of his power - a power that will, at the end of time, exercise the eternal judgment of our souls. Governmental officials have been given God's delegated power over us involving all civil matters. Therefore, we are also to reverence, and stand in awe, of their power over us while here on earth. We are to fear them because fear is due their position.

And, finally, we are to render honor to whom honor is due. The Old Testament as well as the New, tell us to honor one's father and mother (Exod. 20:12, Eph. 6:2-3). Others, to be honored, are wives (1 Peter 3:7), elders (1 Tim.5:17), masters (1 Tim. 6:1), kings, and all men (1 Peter 2:17). We know from experience, that all people filling these earthly positions are not honorable, yet we are told to give honor to them. The conclusion must be that it is the position or office that is to be honored, rather than the person filling it. Likewise, a person filling any governmental office, from the most important to the most menial, may be held in low esteem, but the office they fill has been delegated God's authority and must be honored.