The Believer's Attitude Toward The Government

We have an new President! What instruction has God given to His people concerning our attitude toward the all Leaders? The answer is found in the following passages.

Romans 13:1-7

Verse 1 The government and leaders are in power because God has so ordained them. Our new President has been placed in office by God, not just the vote

Verse 2 Whoever resists authority resists God. The only place in Scripture where God honored His people for disobeying ruling authority is Daniel 1,3, 6. We may disagree with the policies of the leader but we are to obey if they do not violate Scripture

Verse 3 The government is not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Those in authority will have to give an account to God for the manner in which they ruled

Verse 4 The ruler is actually God's servant. God will accomplish in and through the leaders His sovereign will

Verse 5 One must be in subjection. In Romans and 1 Peter 2:13-17 the word "subjection" means to voluntarily place yourself under someone's care. Therefore, to obey the Lord means to obey the Leader

Verses 6-7 Part of the submission is to pay the taxes we owe and to respect the one in charge. We might not like the way the money is used nor the policies involved but the responsibility is to be obedient to the Lord

1 Timothy 2:1-3

In our worship service we are to pray for the Kings and all who are in high positions. As Believers, if we take the attitude that, "There is no way I will pray for him", then we are being disobedient to the Lord. Disobedience is sin and Psalm 66:18 states, "If I regard iniquity in my heart He will not hear me." This hurts the fellowship between myself and the Lord

1 Peter 2:13-17

This passage is in agreement with the two previous passages but adds, "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people." Sometimes people, even Christians, do not understand their responsibility before God concerning the government.

Proverbs 21:1-3

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD, He turns it wherever He will. God's sovereignty is not just theory or theology; it is truth. God will continue to bring leaders to power and direct what He wants to accomplish in the leader and the nation,

Jeremiah 18

Brothers and Sisters, our hope is in the eternal sovereign God. Let each of us be aware of what God requires of us and be faithful in obeying Him.