PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD
(Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
THE
BIBLE AND CIVIL AUTHORITY
Devotional Text: Rom.
13:1-6
Introduction:
By civil authority, this lesson refers to
those in government, who are empowered by law to enforce rules or give orders,
as opposed to the military or their counterparts in religious leadership. In line with this, the Apostle Paul remarks
that “everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God Has established,(Rpm 13:1), which really shows
that no one comes to the position of
civil leadership unless it is ordained by God, as he cautions that “he who rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God Has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves”, (vs. 3)
GENERAL REMARKS
(1)
Every
legitimate government is ordained by God, as illegitimate ones may not be in
the category
cited by the Apostle Paul (Rom. 13:1)
(2)
Every
government, legitimate or illegitimate must be obeyed, since God may, at times
permit
illegitimate ones for certain purposes,
(vs.1)
(3)
To rebel
against any government, legitimate or illegitimate is to rebel against God,
since by His sovereign
acts
He can choose or permit those who rule at given times, (vs. 2)
(4)
To rebel
against those in authority definitely brings Divine Judgment on those who do
so, (vs. 2)
CIVIL AUTHORITY AND LAW-ABIDING
CITIZENS
The Scripture which stresses that …” rulers
hold not terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong” shows that
Law-abiding citizens have no problems with those in authority, as it equally
notes that those who do what is right would be commended by them, since they
are God’s servants for the good of the citizens, (Rom. 13:3). Biblically
speaking, those in authority are there by God for the good of the people they
govern, though, they sometimes do the opposite. But, their wrongdoing is not a
right to become lawless in society, as it is the prerogative of the Lord to
handle them, the way He chooses, where they toe the wrong path. Therefore,
law-abiding citizens are known for their obedience to those in authority, which
guarantees peace and order in society. In this connection, they;
(i)
Pray for
those in authority instead of opposing them, (1 Tim.2:1-3)
(ii)
Pay their
taxes as recommended in the Bible, as well as play roles that develop the
people and society (Rom. 13:6)
(iii)
Do not rebel against those in authority, for they
know, by so doing, they rebel against God, (vs. 2)
CIVIL AUTHORITY AND LAWLESS
CITIZENS
Once again, please note that … 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 … 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”, (Rom. 13:3-4). This implies that lawless citizens in any society
bear the brunt of the wrath of those in authority, as there are lots of
evidences, to this effect, in today’s world. In every society miscreants are
cracked down, tried and sentenced to various prison terms, or capital
punishment, depending on the degree of the crime committed. And, this would
continue, as long as lawlessness continues in human society. So, for one to be
free from the wrath and punishment that come from those in authority, one needs
to stay out of wrongdoings. To this end:
(i)
Let him that
stole steal no more but rather let him labour, working with his hands the
things
which
is good, that he may have to give to him that needs, (Eph. 4:28)
(ii)
One should
also note that “slothfulness casts into
deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger
(Prov. 19:15), as well as be reminded that “an
idle man is the devil’s workshop”
(iii)
One should
learn to be law-abiding to avoid becoming a victim of the wrath and punishment
of those in authority, (Rom. 13:3-4)
CIVIL AUTHORITY AND YOUR
CONSCIENCE
“Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the
authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of
conscience”, (Rom. 13:5). The conscience is that God-given appendage that
confirms the approval of what one does right and disapproves what one does wrong. This is a divine gift that must be
cherished and allowed to freely function in one’s life. For, the Holy Scripture
hold out the truth that there are individuals who live with consciences that
are seared with hot iron, (1 Tim. 4:2). So, there is a conscience problem in a
person’s life when he is lawless or crime-driven without conscience prick, and
so, law-abiding citizens are people of good conscience (Acts 23:1), whereas,
the lawless ones display symptoms of damaged conscience(s) (1 Tim. 4:2). In
this connection, therefore, God’s Word urges us to:
(i)
Be
law-abiding and obedient to those in authority not just because of possible
punishment,
but because of conscience, (Rom. 13:5)
(ii)
Always
perform our civic obligations in society, as unto the Lord; and not just to
those in authority,
since
they are but God’s servants, (vs. 6).
(iii)
Understand
that it is only through the Blood of Jesus Christ that our conscience(s) could
be purged from
every dead works, (Heb. 9:14)
In
conclusion, this
lesson shows that the institution of civil authority is of God (Rom. 13:1) and
should be obeyed, whether they rule well or not, and so, to stir civil
disobedience should not be contemplated, since it is against the will of God,
(vs. 2). For God knows how and when to remove a deviant government. WATCH AND PRAY!
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