Can I Know The Will Of God? Pt. 12 Obeying Civil Governments Is Our Christian Duty.

I continue to be amazed by the tremendous relevance of knowing God's will. We are progressing in an overview fashion, looking at examples from the books of scripture, to read and understand the will of God.

We have seen multiple times that the will of God is clearly communicated to us and easy to understand. We have also noted how the will of God is very applicable for a modern society.

How do we view those who have power over us?

Exodus 22:28  Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. 

The Hebrew word translated "gods" in this text has four singular meanings and five plural meanings. The context determines the meaning. 

This verse is not suggesting that God is somehow condoning idolatry. The sin of idolatry was one that continually plagued the Hebrew people and God always judged the sin of idolatry.

The word in this text is referring to human rulers or judges who oversaw Israel's civil and religious affairs. Most of the time the high priest was the primary ruler over the people in these matters. 

The word "revile" means to make light of a king, to mock them or view them with contempt. It means dishonoring them and ignoring the administration of government.

The word "curse" means to unleash bitter diatribes against the rulers.     

Paul corrected himself for speaking harshly about the high priest.  

Acts 23:2-5  And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 3)  Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? 4)  And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? 5)  Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. 

When Paul was apprehended by the Jews the acting high priest commanded that the apostle should be hit on his face. This command was a violation of God's law. 

Paul responded angrily that God would judge the high priest for commanding him to be smitten contrary to God's law. 

However, as soon as he knew that the high priest gave this command, Paul cited this verse from Exodus 22 in confessing that he should not have said what he did to the high priest. Notice he said he should not speak evil of the ruler of his people. 

Therefore, we understand that Exodus 22 is clearly speaking of the rulers who govern us.

Now, this is not popular among Christians today, who constantly complain and criticize elected officials. It may well be that they deserve criticism and rebuke for their policies and views, but the people of God should not be the ones venting against them.

Recognize that God is sovereign in the affairs of men.

Daniel 2:20,21  Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21)  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 

God is the fountain of justice and power, and we are not to speak evil of a ruler who derives his authority from God. 

God gave us a Bible and a brain and we need to use both when we cast our votes at the ballot box. Being thus equipped, we should never vote for politicians who promote views that are contradicted by scriptures.  

When Jehovah gave Daniel understanding about Nebuchadnezzar's vision of the end times, he rightly recognized that God is an eternal Sovereign, who governs over all.

This text teaches us that God alone sets limits on the duration of a kingdom. God can and does remove kings and those in power. God can and does establish kings and rulers of governments. 

Jehovah can turn a king's heart as He chooses. 

Proverbs 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

God is sovereign and we must submit to His authority. He tells us that He can turn the hearts of kings, just as He used Pharaoh to accomplish the release of the Hebrew people from Egyptian bondage. 

We can trust that God will always do the right thing, and if we have a ruler who makes us suffer, it is because our nation is worthy of judgment. 

Believers must submit to rulers because God set them up. 

Romans 13:1,2  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. 2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

Every believer is to be subject to higher power, civil rulers. The exception is if they mandate us to do that which is contradicted by scripture. 

Why are we commanded to be subject to rulers and governments? Because God ordained them. If we are busy resisting a government that God has ordained, then we are resisting what God is doing.

Remember believers, this life is not about us. It is all about living for the glory of God. If God is glorified when we have an evil ruler in power, our duty is to live by the power of His Word. 

Rulers are judges of God who are to judge rightly. 

Romans 13:3,4  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: 4)  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. 

Rulers and elected leaders are not a terror to good works that believers are called to do. However, they do have the authority to execute judgment upon evil doers.

Now, I remind us that when Paul wrote this letter, a maniacal emperor named Nero was in power. This man relentlessly persecuted Christians. 

Nero ultimately sentenced Paul to martyrdom, yet the apostle tells us, be subject to the powers that rule. Trust God, for He is All Wise and working all things out to their intended end. 

Believers must sit under higher powers. 

Romans 13:5-7  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6)  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7)  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 

Therefore, Paul commands believers in Christ, to be subject so that we are not in danger of the state's power to punish. We are also to be subject because it honors God.

If we rebel against being in subjection to civil authorities, our conscience will condemn us for failing to reverence God's sovereign authority in these matters. 

We are expected to pay our taxes as citizens. We are expected to obey the laws of our nation as long as they do not conflict with the Bible. We are expected to honor or obey the government as a power established by God. 

We must earnestly pray for our leaders. 

1 Timothy 2:1-4  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

Here comes the hard part. The application of the will of God for believers living today. We are still directed not to speak evil of our rulers and we have looked at the reasons why this is so. 

Now, the apostle commands believers to give thanks to God for rulers who are good. We are to pray for all kings and those in authority over us, that we can lead a quite life that is filled with the peace of God, honesty and godliness.   

We are commanded to offer sincere prayers and supplication to God on the behalf of our rulers, interceding for them at the throne of grace. 

Being subject to rulers established by God is a good testimony.

Titus 3:1,2  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2)  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.  

Paul wrote again about the way that Christian's should conduct with regard to civil affairs. He reminded Titus to teach the believers in Crete that they must not live in rebellion against the government. 

We are to obey the laws of the land as long as doing so does not bring us into conflict with what God says.

We are to be ready to participate in every good work ordained by God for us to do. We are not to speak evil of any person, ruler or otherwise. 

Why? Because that is what the world does and believers have been called out of the world's darkness into the light of the kingdom of God.   

Thoughts to Ponder...

This lesson on the will of God regarding governments, will certainly be hard for many of us to obey.

We naturally do not want to obey "bad" politicians, presidents or governments. 

We must remember that God sets up kings and He deposes them. Thus, when we obey, we honor God and when we rebel, we show irreverence for His sovereignty.  

I know it is very challenging for me to pray for those holding office that I disagree with. Yet, God's will is clear. His children are to pray and obey. 

Why should we pray for politicians whom we detest? Because this is good and acceptable in the sight of God. It is the right thing for a Christian to do.

Our posture toward governments is connected with having the freedom and willingness to spread the gospel wherever we can. 

Thus, our obedience to rulers and governments is also connected with God saving sinners.

What happens when we live in a nation that calls evil good and good evil? 

What happens when we live in a nation where that which is sacred is profaned and that which is impure is held up as right?

We have an example in the book of Exodus. When Pharaoh commanded that the Hebrew midwives kill all the male children that were born, they refused to do so and God honored them. 

He had not yet given them a command against murder, but the midwives knew this was morally wrong from God's view. (See Exodus 1:16-20).

God gave us our Bible and our brains so that we might live for His glory. May we earnestly seek His power and guidance to live out His will.

Bob