OUR DUTY TO CIVIL LAW

OUR DUTY TO CIVIL LAW!

Rom 13:1-7

13 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.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

           Christians are good citizens! Wherever Christianity is dominant the land enjoys peace. One of the reasons is that the Bible specifically tells us to be good citizens. We are urged to respect those in authority even when we do not agree with them. We are told to pay our taxes which the Bible calls “tribute.” We are told to do this not out of fear but “for conscience sake” or as a matter of principle.

           Christians do not storm embassies and kill ambassadors. We do not burn the flags of other nations nor whip images of our enemies with our shoe. We do not dance wildly in the streets nor burn and loot indiscriminately to convince unbelievers of the superiority of our religion. The book of James explains that we are peacemakers.

James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

           We must remember that Paul wrote Romans 13 while under the thumb of Rome. The great persecutions had not yet begun but soon Christians would be wrapped in waxed fabric and tied to poles and set ablaze to light the patio parties of despotic leaders. Even so, Christians are told to be people of peace.

           We are now approaching what I believe to be the threshold of great persecution for Christians. I wonder if we are up to the task. I wonder if our relationship to God is strong enough to endure abuse. I wonder if we are weighty enough to remain after the winnowing wind of harsh rule or will we be driven away like the chaff. Of those sturdy believers who perished under harsh persecution, God had this to say.

Heb 11:32-40

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Dear God, those of us who have been so used to the prosperity gospel are ill-equipped for the approach of martyrdom. Let us resort to thy bosom. Let us seek after thy wisdom. Let us assume thy nature and, if it be necessary that we die, let others come to life as a result. AMEN