Greater Than Government In terms of where God has told us that our ultimate allegiance lies, government is a distant third at best. One of the lessons that Israel had to learn, and seemed never to learn, was that no earthly king would make them a great people. Only God would make them a great people. When they got this, they were blessed. When they did not, they fell into utter disarray, and felt God’s justice as enemies defeated them a took them off into captivity. As we look to a celebration of our nation’s birthday tomorrow, I want to throw out some things for us to consider about God and government. Let’s look at some passages that encourage us to recognize God’s delegation to governments and our relationship to governments.
Greater Than Government Romans 13:1 NIV Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Greater Than Government Romans 13:2-7 NIV 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
Greater Than Government 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Greater Than Government Significant Truths Human government was God’s idea. Governments can be just or unjust. Rebelling against a government is a serious matter. Submission to the authority of government that serves its ordained purpose is good (yes, even taxes). Our God has a claim on our lives that is much greater than any government’s. God protects. God supplies. God saves. God blesses. Yes, God has established governments to approve what is right. However, the only authority any government has is that which God gives to it. Not every government is of God, even if God allows it.
Greater Than Government Weighty Questions Is it acceptable to rebel against an unjust government to establish one more in keeping with God’s purposes? What happens when two governments war? Submission to the authority of government that serves its ordained purpose is good (yes, even taxes). How well do we submit to a just government? Do we submit to an unjust government? You will recall that our founding fathers believed in the divine establishment of government, but we exist as a nation today because they also believed that unjust governments can and should be confronted and changed by just and Godly people. They determined this through the implications of the Bible. Galatians – It was for freedom that Christ set us free. – (Galatians 5:1) Paul told slaves that they could try to obtain their freedom (1 Cor. 7:21 ff) This is where we have come up with rubrics for decisions among nations. For example, the Just War Theory. We are not perfect, but there has never been a government that has been established with a better foundation. We are stewards of a gift. Christians should be engaged and productive citizens who bless others through service. Turn my attention to our specific context in the United States.
Greater Than Government U.S. History Questions Why did Thomas Jefferson write a letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802? What does the First Amendment to the Constitution say about the relationship between God and government? He wrote to them to quell their fears about the government establishing a state sponsored religion that would infringe upon their rights to free exercise of their faith. This is the source of the phrase – “Wall of separation” between church and state. It did not insinuate: That Christians should not participate in government. That all references to God be expunged from public discourse. That religious expression should be stifled if it offended others. It did propose: Government should not legislate one religion or faith perspective as part of government.
Since many of our principles of government are derived from the Bible, it is fair to say that God is greater than government. Let me show you briefly the direct connection between the Bible and our founding documents.
Greater Than Government John 10:10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Greater Than Government Galatians 5:1 NIV It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Greater Than Government John 15:9-11 NIV "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Greater Than Government “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness” (para. 2 Declaration of Independence). So here is the application of these three divinely revealed truths. No government is God. No government has a right to be unjust. No government will last that does not acknowledge that its authority is derived from God.