Saturday, January 6, 2007

Christians and the Kingdoms of Men


While the kingdom of God is not of this world, that does not mean that Christians have no responsibilities regarding the kingdoms of men. For the kingdoms of men were ordained by God for His purposes, which can be seen in the following passage from Romans: "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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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: 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." (Romans 13:1-4)

Rulers were meant by God to be revengers to execute judgment on evildoers. Indeed, from the beginning that was so; for God establishes the foundations of just government in Genesis: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." (Genesis 9:6)

That, therefore, is the foundational authority of the kingdoms of men; it comes from God. And as Paul continues in that passage from Romans: "Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." (Romans 13:5-7)

Now, we indeed ought to obey God rather than men; but we also ought to continually pray for all that are in authority, so that we might never be confronted with such a situation in which we cannot obey both God and those in authority: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (I Timothy 2:1-2)

Thus are a Christian's responsibilities, under the God-given authority of the kingdoms of men.

"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:" (I Peter 2:13-15)

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