As we speak this morning, there are some 130,000 members of our military in Iraq, not counting those in Afghanistan and other parts of the world. We are also in the middle of a campaign season. None of these things are things that we as Christians are unaware of or do not care about. In fact it is our duty to be concerned for our military and pray for them as well as the leaders of our nation. However there are limits to what sort of roles we can play in regards to the government of our country. We as Christians should not let it upset us when the courts of this country make decisions that take God (or His name, at least) out of the pledge of allegiance, or out of schools, or courtrooms and so on. It was never a task appointed to the government to bring God before the general public. That task was and is the sole job of the church. The separation of Church and state was not some new idea that the writers of the constitution thought up, it is an idea that is clearly presented in the bible. All we have to do is study and be willing to accept God’s word on the subject. If time permits we will try to answer several questions dealing with our relationship with our government such as: --Should a Christian be a conscientious objector? --Should a Christian hold political office? --Can a Christian be a juror? --A litigant in a court case? --Should we support capital punishment? --Should we take part in elections? --Should we submit to taxation? All are important questions, and many are questions that some have trouble with. Our goal today is to see what the bible has to say about these topics and how we should apply these teachings to the circumstances we live under today with our government. I. Taxes A. The temple tax 1. Matthew 17:24-27 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the [temple] tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the [temple] tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?" 26 Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27 "Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you." 2. Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes [are due,] customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. II. Capital Punishment A. Exodus 21 & 22 -- Read 21:23-25 23 "But if [any] harm follows, then you shall give life for life, 24 "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 "burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. B. When Paul was put on trial in Acts 25 he states in verses 10,11 “…I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 "For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar." 1. There are crimes “worthy of Death” C. Romans 12:17 - 13:7 1. Christians Duties a. Recompense to no man evil for evil.. (v17) b. Live peaceably with all men (v18) c. Avenge not yourselves… Vengeance is God’s (v19) d. How do we deal with enemies/criminals? i. If he is hungry, feed him (v20a) ii. If he is thirsty, give him drink (v20b) iii. Overcome evil with good (v21b) 2. Their responsibilities (civil government) a. be a terror to evil, but praise the good (v3) b. Bear the sword/execute wrath on the evil (v4) III. Political / Civil office A. Romans 13:1 & 1 Peter 2:13,14 "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and [for the] praise of those who do good." 1. We are subject to them, they are ordained of God. 2. There are 2 separate bodies, those who have chosen God and those who God chooses to protect them. 3. Resisting/disobeying = Resisting god’s ordinances 4. If a Christian tries to be in both places, where are the checks & balances? In church government there is a system of checks and balances to keep from giving one man too much power, which could lead to corruption. (ie elders, deacons, evangelists) Where is the church office that would check or balance a Christian serving in a government office? 5. We are to pay tribute to support their work. B. Can we do government work? 1. Can serve in a non-elected/non-armed capacity. a. Fire Dept. b. city employee c. Teacher d. Matthew was a tax collector 2. Not as an elected official (see above) 3. Not in a capacity where you may have to take a life. a. Police officer b. Prison Guard IV. Conscientious Objector A. As stated in Romans 12:17-21, Christians are not to fight evil with evil. B. Luke 1:79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. C. Mt. 5:5 Blessed [are] the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. D. Mt. 5:9 Blessed [are] the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. E. Mt. 5:38-48 F. John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here. G. 2 Corinthians 10:3,4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, H. Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places.] I. Unlike in the days of King David and the prophets, we cannot ask God whose side he is on in a war. We should not presume to always know God’s will about things he hasn’t revealed to us. J. C.O. does not mean we are lazy or indifferent or afraid of death… it means we are afraid of what Jesus says in Mt. 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” V. Voting - Although no scripture directly applies to voting, there are some principles that can be applied. A. Not biblical, but voting can affect your CO status. B. Same principles that go for running for political office.. God ordains them and it is pretentious for us to think that we know who God would ordain. After all, God sometimes uses bad people to do his will. Phillipians 1:12-18 “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things [which happened] to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only [that] in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” C. Such matters could also cause contentions in the Church and factions. (ie Dems, vs. GOP) VI. Jury Duty A. just as we shouldn’t presume to know who God would ordain to office, we shouldn’t presume to mete out punishment. B. Obviously we can’t serve in a capital case 1. Mt. 5:21 carries over “thou shalt not kill” if we convict someone in a capital case, we’ve taken part in his killing. 2. Again… Romans 12:17-21... V19 says vengeance is God’s 3. 1 Cor 5:11-13 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner -- not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what [have] I [to do] with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person." VII. Going to court A. Sometimes can’t be helped 1. Mt. 5:40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have [your] cloak also. 2. If you must be involved, remember this Mt. 5:33-37 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' 34 "But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 "nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 "Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” B. Should try to avoid taking a brother to law at all costs 1. 1 Cor. 6:1-8 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather [let yourselves] be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and [you do] these things [to your] brethren! 2. Instead do this: Mt. 18:15-17 Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' 17 "And if he refuses to hear them, tell [it] to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. In conclusion: The polls are closed, God has stated his will in these matters of church and state, the only vote we make is whether to adopt His will or follow our own. We cannot be indifferent about these issues. If we want our government to take us seriously when we are called to jury duty, or the next time (lets pray that it doesn't happen again) a draft might occur in this country, we need to know exactly where we stand and what scriptures we make that stand on. We must be emphatic and consistent. Those things that we must vow out of, we have a duty to pray for. By these standards we will serve our country and more importantly our God, well. Questions or comments? Contact the author justinmurdock@thegospelfortoday.com |
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