Christians are “aliens and strangers” in this world (1 Peter 2:11). While we live here in the nations of men, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). However, even though we are a separate people (1 Peter 2:9), we cannot help but live among those in the world (1 Corinthians 5:9-10). So wherever we are, we must live under some form of human government. How then is the Christian to respond to and use the civil government?
Be Subject to Them
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Romans 13:1).
This verse and the verses that follow instruct all men – not just Christians – to be subject to the government. These governments have been “established [ordained, KJV] by God.” They are set in order by Him. “Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God” (Romans 13:2).
This does not mean that God directly intervenes today like He did in Bible times; but even today, civil government has been ordained with a certain task given to it by God. This task, Paul said, is to be “a cause of fear…for evil” (Romans 13:3). Civil government is “a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil” (Romans 13:4). Because they have been given the responsibility to punish evildoers and keep the peace, we must be subject to them.
What does it mean to be subject? First we must obey their laws (Romans 13:2; 1 Peter 2:13-14) provided we can do so without violating the commandment of God (Acts 5:27-29). We must honor the ones serving in government (Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17) for the sake of their office, not their personal character which will often be corrupt. We must also pay taxes (Romans 13:6; Matthew 22:17-21) even if we do not agree with all that they choose to do with the money they collect. Christians are expected to be subject in these ways, even when living under a government like Rome.
There are also reasons why we are to be subject. The first and most obvious reason is because God commands us to be (Romans 13:1-2). But Paul gave two additional reasons: “Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake” (Romans 13:5). We must be subject because of wrath – to avoid punishment by the civil authorities. We must also be subject for conscience sake. Do not develop a pattern or habit of disobedience, thus searing your conscience (cf. 1 Timothy 4:2), that could extend more directly to your service to God.
Pray for Them
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Praying for our leaders is another important responsibility for the Christian. But notice that for which we are told to pray. Paul did not say to pray for those in authority that they may have good health, that they would enjoy safety, or that they would have political success. It might be fine to pray for those things, but Paul had something specific – and more important – in mind. Pray “that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
Pray for the leaders that they will not persecute us for our faith. Rome persecuted Christians and they were punished by God for it (Revelation 17:4-6, 18; 18:1-2). Pray also that they will prevent others from persecuting us. This goes along with their responsibility to punish evildoers and keep the peace. Of course, we should all understand that a certain degree of religious persecution is inevitable (2 Timothy 3:12). But the government need not add to it. We should pray that they do not. And pray that the government tries to prevent harm against Christians, just as they should do this for all their citizens.
We should also pray that the government causes no hindrance to the gospel. This was implied in Paul’s instructions to Timothy. We are to pray for the authorities so we can lead a quiet life. Paul continued: “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Naturally, God wants people to be saved. So He would be opposed to anything that would hinder the spread of the gospel and the work of the church. We should pray for the civil authorities that they provide no such hindrance or obstacle.
Rebuke Their Sin
There is a principle contained in Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus that sin must be exposed: “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). The reason why sin must be rebuked is so that others “will be fearful of sinning” (1 Timothy 5:20).
This is what John was doing that led to his arrest: “So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people. But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done…he locked John up in prison” (Luke 3:18-20).
In his preaching, John reprimanded Herod for the ruler’s sins – most notably his sin of taking his brother’s wife. Word of this reached Herod so he had John arrested.
We can do as John did with our leaders – point out and rebuke their sin. Of course, we should use some discretion in this. Our job is not to investigate political leaders in order to find out what sin they may be hiding. But we can address what is known of them. This is important. By their position alone, they can influence people and embolden others to disregard the word of God and fall into sin.
Use Them As an Example
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not to be this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave” (Matthew 20:25-27).
Jesus words were a response to the apostles who had become upset with James and John whose mother requested that they be granted the right to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in His kingdom. Jesus used civil authorities as an example. He said, “This is what you see in them, but do not follow their example; do not be influenced by them. Instead, you are to do this.”
We can use the government today as an example like Jesus did – contrasting their ways with the will of God.
- You know that the rulers disregard the lives of the unborn children, defending, rather than punishing those who abort their unborn child. It is not to be this way among you. You are to regard every life as precious, realizing that there is no difference between the soul of a child in the womb and one outside of it (Luke 1:41; 2:12). Do not, as they do, call abortion a “right.” Call it for what it is – murder of the most innocent and helpless human beings.
- You know that the rulers financially support those who will not work to support themselves. It is not to be this way among you. As long as you are able, you must work to support yourself. If you are unwilling to do this, you should expect no help from anyone (2 Thessalonians 3:10). If you want to improve your place in life, do not wait for someone (like the government) to come along with a gift for you. Instead, work harder and more hours so you are not a burden to anyone (2 Thessalonians 3:8). Do not envy what others have (Colossians 3:5). Be content with what God has seen fit to bless you with (Philippians 4:11-12).
Exercise Your Rights
“But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?’ But Paul said, ‘I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.’ Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, ‘You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go’” (Acts 25:9-12).
Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 21). Following his arrest, he made a defense before the Jewish people (Acts 22) and then the Jewish Council (Acts 23). A plot against Paul’s life led the Roman commander to move Paul to Caesarea (Acts 23:12ff) where he stood trial before Felix (Acts 24) and now Festus (Acts 25). This sequence of events is important to remember as we consider Paul’s appeal to Caesar.
Evidently, Festus wanted to satisfy the wishes of the Jews that had come from Jerusalem. It would be better in their view to have Paul moved back to Jerusalem in order to stand trial there. Given the preceding events, it is very possible that the Jews planned to do harm to Paul, and moving him back to Jerusalem would provide the opportunity to kill him.
Paul had been called to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21). If he were to go to Jerusalem and either be killed or imprisoned there, he would not have been able to fulfill his mission. So instead of passively accepting whatever fate might come, he exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case before Caesar. Just based upon the record in Acts, we know that he was able to do his work in Rome better than if we were in Jerusalem (Acts 28:30-31).
Paul obviously recognized that his citizenship was in heaven (Philippians 3:20). But that did not mean that he could not take advantage of his rights as a citizen of the Roman empire in order to do what God expected of him.
Those of us who live in the United States have the blessing of living in a free country. Let us take advantage of our rights – not just for our personal good, but to help reach others with the gospel.
