Civil Government

Civil government should recognize the sovereignty of other God-ordained institutions (Church, Family) because civil government is necessary and divinely ordained by God (Rom. 13:1–7). We are called to render service and obedience as to submit to civil authority (1 Pet. 2:13–17 ; Matt. 22:21). Even though the Government is God-ordained but human (sinners) are leading governments are also guilty of injustice however Christians should not stop working for justice or cease to be concerned about human rights. We will continue to speak up and change the system (i.e. law). Government is a legitimate position of Christian service (i.e. Joseph of the Old Testament) that we are to be concerned with social justice. Jesus taught that the government should work in harmony with the church and should recognize its sovereignty in spiritual matters (Matt. 22:21). As Christians, we can lead human rights based on a biblical view of human dignity. When we change or improvise the law, the law should be the foundation of any government even though they are lead by humanism which means humanity is the source of law. As Christians, we must take the criminal act seriously and punish human choices. While we recognize the value of rehabilitation (especially through spiritual conversion, John 3:3), we also recognize the need for punishing wrong-doing. The Old Testament provisions for punishment and restitution make more sense in light of the biblical view of human nature.insurance, and continues to erode away the notion of human responsibility. We ought to look at God's providential care in the life of our nation according to Romans 13:1-7. We just need to look at the whole picture. God never commanded the governments to "spread the Gospels". God commanded to Christians to spread the Gospels. The Gospel is for "spiritual society" while the Governments are for "human society". "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). The separation of church and state is taught in 2 Corinthians 5:20 where the Christian is referred to as an ambassador - "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ." An ambassador is one who represents one country to another. He does not become involved in the government of the other country but seeks the welfare of his own. Likewise, the Christian does not become involved in the affairs of earthly governments but represents the heavenly kingdom to them. He is in this world but is not of this world (John 17:16). His work is spiritual, not political. His responsibility is to help the people of this world to give their allegiance to the heavenly kingdom of Christ. Sometimes it is really hard to figure out what to do. To many people, Hitler was probably the most evil government leader this world ever had. Peter and the apostles had opportunities to say, "We ought to obey God rather than men." The only time Christians can violate God's government is when a Christian is asked to disobey God. You can read many Bible characters including Daniel disobey the Government out of principle rather than simple disobience. During the time of Hitler, Bonhoeffer was being force to sign with Hitler's view of Christian church which of course he refused which lead to Bonhoeffer's plan to disobey Hitler and eventually that disobedient got himself hanged. If you don't like the laws, get involved and change it without total rebellious. Just simply say "I disagree" MLK and Rosa Parks did. Corrie Ten Boom disagreed with Hitler and hid the jews. Dietrich Bonhoeffer disagreed and got hanged. Daniel of the Old Testament disagreed and got thrown into the furnace (Daniel 3:6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."). Later Daniel earned respects from others in Daniel 6:4 "At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent." We just have to be careful how we disrupt God's ordained government as First Peter 2:13 says "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men." Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 1 Thessalonians 4:12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders. People who accept and respect a person's refusal to submit must have strong influences to make things change without negative affect.