Wed, May 20, 2009
Government
Here in America, government and church are separated. Why is that?! It was never supposed to be like this. In the Old Testament, when a country would mobilize for battle, the leader would ask God if they should fight, and if God said “yes” then it would be a sign that they would win the battle. “Don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.” Proverbs 24:6. Those advisers need to have the spirit of God and the sense of wisdom in them.
“From Artaxerxes, the king of kings (who held a governmental position), to Ezra the priest (the biblical scholar, the man of God), the teacher of the law of the God of heaven… Anyone who refuses to obey the law of… God and the law of the king will be punished immediately, either by death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment” – (Ezra 7:12, 26).
So you see that federal law and God’s law are in a sense, married to each other. It’s expedient to obey God’s law, and it’s good to obey the government.
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” – Romans 13:1-7
“From Artaxerxes, the king of kings (who held a governmental position), to Ezra the priest (the biblical scholar, the man of God), the teacher of the law of the God of heaven… Anyone who refuses to obey the law of… God and the law of the king will be punished immediately, either by death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment” – (Ezra 7:12, 26).
So you see that federal law and God’s law are in a sense, married to each other. It’s expedient to obey God’s law, and it’s good to obey the government.
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” – Romans 13:1-7
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