Questions Part III - How should we deal with the government?

As we wrap up our ‘Summer Series’, we have the last of our congregation requested topics! A couple of people requested a message on a very similar topic. To summarize they asked:
 
As Christian how should we interact in a society that is seemingly becoming more and more secular, how we should respond and engage with governments who sometimes make laws that conflict with our understanding of truth and faith?
 
This is a huge topic, and not one that can be answered in every facet in one message! As a church, we have a focus on the importance of grappiling with these difficult, big questions together – that is one of the important parts of being connected to a community.
 
When we approach the questions of engaging with governments, Christians can often take one of two stances:

1. It is easy to become anti-government and every opportunity in both private and public spheres criticize the ‘evilness’ of the government of the day and become resentful.
2. On the other hand we see some Christians shut themselves away – they become confined to their own communities, and don’t engage with society and government. They think that this is a waste of time.

 
This is question and a problem that is not new. We know that the early church grappled with it as well! In Romans 13, we see the apostle Paul tell us that neither of these approaches is the correct one for Christians. In fact, he tells us to take quite a different stance.
 
As we work through the text, Paul reminds us that all authorities have been placed where they are by God. We are told that God is sovereign over all – no authority can exist apart from those whom God has established.
 
This can be a confronting thing for a Christian to deal with – and hugely controversial to the early church who had been laboring under an earthly government, one they believed their Savior would rescue them from.
 
Earthly rulers fulfill God’s plan for order. Regardless of how they might fail, they fit within his design that chaos should not reign. They flourish with His permission, and when they no longer serve His plan they are removed.
 
So how then can we respond, and how should we act, when they make laws that go against what we believe? Listen along for some more thoughts from Romans 13.
 
God Bless,
Ps. Simon
simon@horizonchurch.org.au