Slides: What's Right with the Government

What’s Right With the Government?
Romans 13:1-7

Honest politicians?

No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session. (Mark Twain)

What’s the difference between baseball and politics? In baseball you’re out if you’re caught stealing.

Don’t steal, don’t lie and don’t cheat. The government hates competition.

Dead horse

When you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount. However, we in government often try other strategies. These include:

• Change riders.
• Buy a stronger whip.
• Say things like, “This is the way we have always ridden this horse.”
• Appoint a committee to study the horse.
• Compare the state of dead horses in today’s environment.
• Pass legislation declaring, “This horse is not dead.”
• Provide additional funding to increase the horse’s performance.
• Blame the horse’s parents.
• Say this horse was procured with aliveness as an independent variable.
• Appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the farm where it was born.
• Promote the horse to a supervisory position.

Helpful politicians?

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.

Government’s view of the economy can be summarized in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. (Ronald Reagan)

Political jokes

I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. (comedian Will Rogers)

I don’t approve of political jokes... I’ve seen too many of them get elected.

¹ Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴ For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

What’s right with the government?

• Established by God: … no authority except that which God has established. The authorities… have been established by God… what God has instituted…
• God’s servant: For he is God’s servant to do you good… He is God’s servant… the authorities are God’s servants.…

Promoting good

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. (13:3-4)

Punishing evil

But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (13:4)

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. (12:19)

What’s right with the government?

• It is established by God as his servant to promote good and punish evil.
• It maintains order and stability.
• It prevents hell on earth (though it can’t produce heaven on earth).

Submit to authority

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13-15)

Resist rulers’ evil

O king, we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. (Daniel 3:18)

The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. (Revelation 13:2)

We must obey God rather than men! (Acts 5:29)

We the people

• We have a vote and a voice.
• We usually get the government we deserve—or better.
• We make government an idol when we expect too much.
• Responsibilities, not just rights.

Faith and politics

• Real faith spreads by Christians’ truth and love, not by political force.
• Government defends rights but doesn’t make us right with God.
• It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. (Psalm 118:9)

⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

 
Faith and politics

• Submit and obey laws (unless a law clashes with God’s commands).
• Actively influence government.
• Pay the taxes you owe; don’t cheat.
• Respect and honor; don’t just gripe.
• Pray for authorities.

Pray for authorities

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:1)