By: Pastor Rick Smith

Jesus in answer to a trick question from His detractors, said, “Render therefore unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s (Matthew22:21).”  As Christians we are citizens of two kingdoms: the kingdom of man and the kingdom of God.  Although our first responsibility is to God, we still have to live in this world as sojourners and pilgrims as we are on our way to heaven.   Paul understood this and gave instructions in many of his letters on dealing with those outside the faith and those authorities that existed at that time.  For example, Paul wrote to the 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 (Romans 13:1).”  Any wise person will agree that even a bad government is better than anarchy where everyone does what they want without restrictions.  Then the ones with the most power run rough-shod over those that are weaker.  I think it is time that Christians review the instructions that God has given us in the Bible for living godly in an ungodly world.

Before I begin I think it is important to point out that we are not living under a monarchy, emperor, or a dictator.  We, by the grace of God, live in a republican democracy.  We elect those that represent us to lead and rule over us.  It is suppose to be a limited government, with limited authority, and subject to the supreme law of the land (the Constitution) and its citizens.  We are the ones who elect those that lead us.  Every government worker is ultimately employed by we the citizens of this country.  That does not mean that we have any right to disrespect or demean them.  But it does mean that we can change things if enough people want to see things change.   Those of the early church and during most of the history of Christianity did not have that right.  Even now, many, if not most, of our brethren around the world do not have the rights that we have in our country.  In the first century, under Romes dictatorial rule, Paul was not hesitant to use his rights as a Roman citizen when it was necessary.  We have at least three incidents in the book of Acts when Paul appealed to his rights of citizenship (Acts 16:37; 22:25; 25:11).  So we have rights as citizens that we can reasonably use.  We can vote, appeal to the courts, and protest “wickedness in high places”.

We must remember that God rules over governments.  Government in general was instituted by God after the flood (Genesis 9).  All governments are ultimately answerable to God Who will judge its leaders for how they governed those under them.  Nero, Napoleon, Hitler, and Stalin will be judged by God for what they did during the time of their rule.  So also, the presidents of the United States will also stand before God and give an account of their leadership of we the people.  The wisdom of our founders showed the struggle between submitting to a tyrannical government and declaring our independence:  “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed (Declaration of Independence).”

God rules over people as well as governments.  We are always subject to God and His will over us.  This is especially true of the Christian.  It is our desire for God’s will to be “done on earth as it is in heaven.”  So we are obligated to submit ourselves to obey God even when it is contrary to public opinion and government rules.  The apostles knew this when they responded to the Sanhedrin’s demand that they cease to preach Jesus and the resurrection.  “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).”  If we obey God then there will be few times that we will come in conflict with government.  But when there is a conflict we must always obey God rather than men.

Use your rights as a citizen.  Exercise your rights of free speech to call people to Christ.  Protest the evils of men and government.  Point to the coming kingdom of God and His Christ, inviting people to repent and believe the gospel.  Pray for present leaders and vote for more godly leaders.  Go as far as you can to obey those that are over us.  Pay your taxes, obey the laws, and be an exemplary citizen.  But submit yourselves to God to obey Him in all things.

If you have any questions, we invite you to visit with us this Sunday.   Worship at 10:50 AM.  We are located at 711 West Washington Ave. Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552917735843

 Rick Smith is the Pastor at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Artesia.