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Civil Authority

Words of Faith Final

Civil Authority
Words of Faith 11-15-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Romans 13
    Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2] Consequently, he who 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 he will commend you. [4] For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent 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 because 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 everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

    How does a transformed person live in relation to government? Paul's strong doctrine of sovereignty comes out here. We may not always be happy with the government, but it would not be there unless God had allowed it to be in place. In fact, God has established the authority of government. Undoubtedly, Paul had to contend with those who sought to incite rebellion against the wicked rule of Rome.  
    Does this mean that all government is good? Certainly not. But we must realize that God uses even the secular institutions to attain His will and way. So, what do we do when the government is evil or unjust? Should we seek to change such a government? It is not an easy answer.
    Jesus never involved Himself in government or in changing the unjust social system. Jesus did seek to change the hearts of people. He did influence centurions, soldiers, and even government leaders. Jesus had a follower who was the wife of an official who managed Herod's house.
    So do we simply obey everything that the government orders, even if it is evil? Not at all. When a government is in conflict with God's Law or Scripture, we must always obey God. This is not easy, but it is the solution.
    Daniel was ordered by the law of the government not to pray. His response was to pray and then accept the consequences of His disobedience. This is a biblical model for civil disobedience. Peaceful resistance against an ungodly governmental law, which accepts the consequence, is, in fact, a legal and righteous response.
    Paul goes further to direct believers to pay their taxes. Taxes were a particular bane to Jewish people because taxation represented an idolatrous tribute to the Emperor, who was considered in Roman culture to be a god. But the text is clear on this. Jesus had said we are to render to Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's (Matthew 22:20-22).
    Why didn't Paul advocate a rebellion against the injustice of Rome? Probably for the same reason, he did not seek to change unjust institutions such as slavery. Like Jesus, Paul understood the plan of God to transform the human heart. Such transformation wages a greater war against evil and injustice than we can imagine.
    Paul also expected the imminent return of Jesus. An agenda of governmental reform simply did not make sense. An aggressive plan of world evangelism did.
    Should we be involved in governmental reform? If we are blessed to live in a democracy, we should not squander the amazing gift of governmental influence. We should vote and even prayerfully consider seeking public office. Why? Because that is the system we have.
    We, "the people," are the governmental authority over us. We are blessed that we can work to create a government that better reflects the morality of God. Still, we must also remember that true transformation comes only from God and only from within.

         Lord, give me the grace to submit to the governmental authorities over me. Guide me to vote in ways that reflect You. Show me the things that I can change. Most of all, use me to share the Gospel of Jesus, which is the one thing that can transform lives. In Jesus' name.
 
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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2021 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.