A growing movement in our country wants anarchy. Anarchy, by definition, is either a lack of recognition and/or the absence of government. There are times when we all wish government would stay out of our business, but this goes far beyond that into a deeper philosophical question. There are those who say that government over-reach has gone too far, while others want the government to be more involved in their affairs. Some depend on the government’s programs, while others shun them. Most people feel that it is proper to ridicule and defame the character of leaders with whom they disagree. Then, to fuel our fire and further sway our thinking are the “voices”: a constant barrage of both fact and fiction from the media, social influencers, and news outlets. Yet through all of this noise, the Bible offers God’s perspective on government’s proper place and what a proper response to it’s authority looks like.

To frame our thinking, we need to remember that government is not man’s invention – it is God’s. As such, our political leaders (even the ones who are doing the wrong thing) are God’s agents in this world and He uses them for His purposes (even when we don’t understand). This requires trust in God, especially when we see government abusing its power. But we must keep in mind that God can make even a crooked arrow fly straight. The 1st century Roman government was abusive of Christians, advocated for slavery, viewed women as property, and allowed violence to the death in the gladiator ring for general amusement. Yet, right in the midst of the capitol city of this corrupt government there was a church (some even worked for the government) and the Apostle Paul gave them some words about government’s proper role in Romans 13:1-7. Take a moment to read it now.

There is not enough space in this blog to fully treat this issue, but let’s pull out the major premises that Paul brings out in these few verses.

• • v.1 – “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” - We are supposed to willingly subject ourselves to the authority of our government and its leaders.
• • v.1 – “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” – God is still the ultimate authority. But, those in leadership were temporarily delegated some of God’s authority according to His purpose and plan.
• • v.2 – “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God” – Because our government’s authority was delegated by God, when we shirk it’s laws we are innately offending God’s laws.
• • v.3 – “rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil” – Our laws are designed to punish the evil in this world, offer justice, and maintain order.
• • v.4 – “he is the minister of God to thee for good” – In that the government maintains law and order and offers justice, government is designed to benefit us all.
• • v.5 – “ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake” – our motivation for obeying our laws and authorities should come from a heart to honor God, not just because we may be punished, fined or jailed if we break the law.
• • v.6 – “for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers” – For the same reason, we are to pay our taxes and give honor to our leaders. Remember, this is true even for the ones who are unregenerate, unrepentant and whose actions are an offense to the gospel (such was the case in Rome as well as today!)

Is our government perfect? Far from it. Does it always carry out justice as God would? Not a chance. Are many of our leaders corrupt and self-serving? Absolutely. None of the things we could say about our government today are any different than what the Christians of Rome could have said about their leaders (except that we have the freedom to say these things without being burned at the stake!) But while governments have always been full of flaws, they are still ordained institutions from God. Anarchy is not the answer. Resistance dishonors the Lord. Complaining and ridiculing our leaders will only mar our own testimony.

What can we do? Let’s be resolved to pray for our leaders and for God to intervene in their lives. Let’s pray that Bible-believing Christians will rise up and be elected to the high positions of our government. And, most of all, let’s remember to trust God to work through what may seem to us like an interminable mire of corruption and red tape. Remember, God can even make a crooked arrow fly straight!