Government

Romans 13: 1-10:
1 Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. 2 So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. 3 For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well. 4 The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong. 5 So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid so they can keep on doing the work God intended them to do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due. 8 Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law. 9 For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting -- and any other commandment -- are all summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God's requirements.  

One of the most cherished possessions of American citizens is the form of government under which we live. In fact, that form of government underlies everything else we hold dear in this country. Even though this is true, there are many Christians who sincerely believe that Christians, and particularly churches, should not get involved in politics. They might not say it this way, but basically they think we should practice separation of church and state.
In that regard, it is interesting to think about how often and how importantly God speaks of government. For example, this is the terminology that God uses most frequently to describe Himself; Scripture is full of references to “the kingdom of God” and “the throne of God” and “the rule of God.” In three separate passages of Scripture, He gives specific instructions about Christians and their relationship to government. In Matthew, chapter 22, verse 21, He says:

Matthew 22

21	They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

In Romans, chapter 13, verses 1-5, He says:

Romans 13

1	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.
3	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.
5	Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

In I Timothy, chapter 2, verses 1-4, He tells us to pray for those who are in authority over us. Significantly, all of those instructions were written in a time of totally godless and repressive government!

 Matthew 22:15-22 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

We are commanded to honour our government. We are commanded to follow them. But to what end? We need to follow God first and foremost, if the government tries to stop us, that's when we need to follow God. God gave our government authority. John 19:10-11:
¹⁰ So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” ¹¹ Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
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