What is the role of a Christian under his government?
by Pastor William C. Mack | January 7, 2021
What is the role of a Christian under his government? And why does God permit things to happen to the Church by that government?
Good questions, right? “Government”, by definition, is “the exercise of authority over a state, district, organization, institution, etc.. A system of ruling, controlling, etc..” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary). Man, by nature, desires to “rule” over others. Why? There is within us a need to have ordered; via the Law of God in the conscience. That is a good thing. Family “order” became tribal order which, as the earth’s population grew, became geographical control (states/provinces), kingdom-rule and countries governed by chiefs, princes, pharaohs, kings, etc.. Man governed by his conscience (often “muddied) and by the “sword”. The believer in the triune God was directed and ruled by the immediate voice or printed word of God; hence, Adam, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, etc.. The Scripture of the New Testament forbids us, now, (Revelation 22: 18-19) to add to the voice of God. He has spoken all that He wants to say until His 2nd coming. So are we to just follow any, and all, governmental mandate as Christians? Saint Paul wrote, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” (Roman 13: 1-2). Saint Peter wrote, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts. 5: 29) Moses, most of the prophets, Saint Paul, and Saint Peter all lived under pagan rulers! We may, then, not like what a government demands but unless it directly, and clearly, contradicts God’s Word we must obey its rules. God uses even pagan governments to chastise the Church! Do we need “chastisement”? The (visible) Church today has all but abandoned the morality and guidance of Scripture. It is the Last Days. If chastisement comes, may the “light” of His Word guide and fill us with divine peace in Christ until we are taken Home to Heaven where no further chastisement is needed. May His will be done, in Jesus’ Name, amen.