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When does government become illegitimate in God’s eyes?

Christ submitted to death on a cross. He paid taxes. And yet, clearly governments sin against God, to the detriment of men. Is there an illegitimacy of government in God’s eyes?

This is a topic in relationship to Romans 13

Romans 13
Submission to Civil Government

13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.

God instituted government. It was not created and integrated as part of the church. There is a clear and distinct statement here for the creation and independence of government. In the next passages it is clearly shown that we are to respect the authority of the government. There is a phrase that has been used before: "Salute the uniform" ( that is to say - have respect for the position of the leader ) - even though he may be s scoundrel.

13:5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience. 13:6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing. 13:7 Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

but also because of your conscience....

This is a very important line by Paul. The phrase, let your conscience be your guide is a very good statement. You see the little voice in your head that guides you is really the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If something feels wrong for you, then don't do it. You have a personal relationship with God. Some things that are OK for you are not ok for your brother or sister. Similarly, some things that are ok for your friends in Christ are not OK for you because of the personal walk that you have with GOd. Listen to God and make the choices in life according to the conviction of the Holy Spirit (otherwise known as your conscience).

As you consider decisions in regard to government authority, show respect but listen to the conviction by the Holy Spirit. This is a wonderful combination.

Tags: authority, god, government

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by christopher lingk on March 19, 2008 at 2:40am: Hey stew,
This has been a topic which has made me internally angry at times. Let me explain. The United States government for instance. I love my country, but the facts are quite evident that it is now run by those who are dishonest, evil, and 'lovers' of the world and NOT 'lovers' of God !! They continually lie to the american public, and when caught attempt to twist the excuses so as to appear that they did it for our 'good'. I'm not going to go into the miriad of details as to their wrong doings because it would take up books. But reading the papers daily gives you a good idea of what I'm speaking of.
So the question is.......why would God honor and allow such a 'heathen' and 'corrupt' leadership to continue?? Our president says he's a 'christian', yet all his actions speak otherwise. Do we submit to this government? Well, I agree with what Jesus taught the disciples.......Give unto ceasar what is ceasar's, and give unto God what is God's. Yes, we should honor the law laid down by this government for it honors God. I would say however that when the government passes laws which would contravene what God has told us........then we no longer should be bound by those laws. For instance, if you were a soldier and your commanding officer ordered you to shoot and kill an unarmed 5 yr. old girl, should you do it?? NO, NO, NO. Refuse to follow things which would go against what God desires of us. Be assured that the day is coming soon when the powers that be, (worldly governments) will enact laws which require the Christian to compromise thier walk with God. Should you then follow those laws so you won't be killed? Better to follow God's commands I would think. God told us that there will be times when the world will hate us for following God, and in fact even try and kill us.
How I understand God's command about obeying authorities is thus: (please correct me to if I'm in error) We are to submit to the authorities God has allowed over us only until the point in which it directly goes against the commands of God.
We can see that God allowed many nations and governments to reign for a time, even though they were wicked and corrupt. I believe God allows wicked governments to exist to bring about His divine plan on the earth. God knows all about them and could whipe them off the face of the earth in a moments notice, but he lets them continue on for his purpose.
I pray that when the day comes that the government try's to make us "give-up" our christian walk, God will give us the strength to not give-in.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stew on March 22, 2008 at 9:09pm: Hi Christopher,

You have made some important observations and your reference to Jesus in the scripture. This is very important.

Paying Taxes to Caesar Matthew 22:15-22

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 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. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

When they heard this – They were amazed!
(dumbfounded, speechless, without reply, in awe, blown away…)

Jesus articulated that God and government were distinct. We all have the ability to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit before we take action on any item. We should all pray for our leaders. It often seems that their actions are not in keeping with the will of God, but God uses all works to his benefit. Prayer is the most powerful action we can take on behalf of our Lord.

Blessings to you.

-Stew; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna McCloud on April 8, 2008 at 9:36pm: The Bible teaches,when our government turns away from God's views we are on a destructive path and HE has had enough.; ▶ Reply to This