the biblical purpose of government
Romans 13:4,6
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Preached on a Sunday Service (March 4, 2001)
by Bro. Jurem Ramos
at the Soli Deo Gloria Church, Juna Subd., Matina, Davao City
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Today, I would like to present to you the Biblical purpose of Government. I would like us to take note of the word biblical. It is easy to theorize at this point as to what else Christians should be doing, but I will confine our study to what the Bible says and some implications. Here are some questions I would like to address in our study.
1. Is it all right for believers to be involved in politics?
2. How about ministers of the gospel, should they be involved in politics?
3. What is the difference between the function of the pastor and the function of the politician?
4. Who should we elect as our civil authorities? Should we vote only for Christians?
1. Is it all right for believers to be involved in politics?
Note: I am limiting the use of the word politics as meaning, the science and art of governing a country. And the word politician-as a person engaged in civil government. || I am not using it in a derogatory way, meaning a person engaged in politics merely for personal gain.
Yes, a Christian may be involved in politics. If I remember correctly, last Wednesday was the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy. And we know that not only unbelievers but Christians also filed the same. We should not be surprised or think negatively towards some of our brethren who have decided to join politics, as though such a choice was carnal, unspiritual or sinful. No. Believers getting involved in politics is not something new. In Scriptures we read that believers sometimes served as civil authorities.
As I told you before, we have several examples of this. Joseph, the son of Jacob became a Prime Minister in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Some scholars think he was a minister for Agriculture. Nehemiah served as cupbearer to the king of Persia. His duties included choosing and tasting the king's wine to make certain that it was not poisoned. Cupbearers were usually confidants and favorites of the king and wielded political influence. Mordecai, the cousin of Queen Esther, served as a finance officer in the Persian palace and Daniel occupied leading government positions under Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius. In the NT, we read of a certain Sergius Paulus in Acts 13:7. In that verse it says that he was a "proconsul, an intelligent man who sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God." A proconsul is the governor of a Roman province holding his appointment from the senate. We read further in v.13 that he became a believer, and there is no reason to think that he left his position and followed Paul and Barnabas to serve in the ministry.
The governments these men served were not like the theocratic government served by David and Solomon with the assistance of God's prophets. These governments were pagan, immoral and idolatrous. And yet it was in these evil settings where men like Joseph, Nehemiah, Daniel and others, served and held their positions in a manner that pleased God and advanced His kingdom.
And so, it is not something new when believers serve as politicians in a party or administration that is non-Christian or ungodly. There is nothing inherently evil in serving as a politician. In fact, according to God's word, there is something inherently good in it. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says three times that those who serve as civil authorities are "God's servants", whether they realize it or not. (Ro 13:1,4,6)
1 The authorities that exist have been established by God... 4 For he is God's servant to do you good...He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer...6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
2. May ministers of the gospel serve as civil authorities? (E.g. mayors, councilors, etc.)
What I mean by ministers of the gospel are the church leaders found in Eph 4:11-12: It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
Pastoring is not some career you get into because of so-called minister's privileges. In other countries, ministers are so well provided, they have good remuneration, free schooling for their children, free housing, free car, gasoline allowance, tax free, etc. Some enter the ministry with those in mind, and then when the pay is no longer good, they look for another job. Pastoring is not some kind of employment and where the church is the employer.
A pastor is also not just one who graduated from Bible school or seminary. I have observed that there are Christians who are put in the position of pastors or are called pastors, not because they are endowed with the gift of a pastor, but simply because they have graduated from Bible School. Bible schools or seminaries do not make pastors. Only God can make a pastor, the school only hones the skills of the minister called by God. It is even possible to be a pastor without going to Bible school or seminary. Spurgeon did not go to a Bible School. I am not sure about A.W. Tozer. And so that is what I mean by the title, minister of the gospel.
Let us go back to the question: May ministers of the gospel serve as civil authorities? The answer is no!
While there is no clear statement from Scriptures that pastors and evangelists may not serve as civil authorities, I believe this is clearly implied. And may I also add, there may have been pastors who also served as councilors or barangay captains, but that does not make it right. I still believe that based on a careful study of Scriptures, one will come to the conclusion that ministers may not be involved in politics. Consider the following reasons why.
a. The minister of the gospel is Christ's gift to the church and this gift is permanent.
These men-the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers-are Christ's gift to the church. They have received special gifts from the Lord in order to fulfill a specific function in the body of Christ. They are to prepare God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up.
Today, there are no more apostles, in the same category of the twelve or the apostle Paul and there are not longer prophets in the sense of office of a prophet similar to the prophets of the OT and John the Baptist. But evangelists and pastor-teachers still exist and continue to increase in number in our generation.
I believe that these gifts are permanent. Once an apostle, always an apostle, and a prophet, always a prophet, an evangelist is always an evangelist and a pastor is always a pastor. Pastor-teachers are pastor-teachers for life.
b. The work of the minister of the gospel requires full time service.
1. It is interesting to note what the bible says that the work of governance, as a civil authority requires full time. Rom 13:6 says, "this is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing."
The passage says, "give their full time to governing," not part time. That is why they receive their pay from our taxes, because they should be relieved from doing other work so that they can concentrate in the work of governing. They cannot be businessmen, or doctors, or chefs in restaurants, or movie actors, or comedians, or dance instructors, or professional basketball players, or pastors, during spare time. If that is true for civil authorities, how much truer this principle applies to the minister of the gospel!
2. Let us look at the minister of the gospel and see where to focus his attention and what his preoccupation should be.
· Ac 6:2-4 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 4 [we] will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
· 1Ti 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
· 1Ti 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. (That's his work!)
· 2Ti 4:1-5 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
· Look at the example of Paul. He describes himself with these terms:
* Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God.
* 1Co 9:16,17 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
3. What is the difference between the work of the pastor and the work of the civil authority?
This is an important question because there is confusion in the minds of some believers who enter politics. There are Christians in government who wants to work like a pastor, and to make the government function like a church. Similarly, many believers who are not in the political arena expect these Christian politicians to act like that.
For example: Many Christians are shocked when they see this or that Christian campaigning in a non-Christian organization, and even to a false church. They are called compromisers. No they are not, they just have a different function as public servants.
a. Let us first look at the work of the minister of the gospel
(1) The priority of the minister is the church. Gal 6:10-As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Here is how someone put it:
- Pastors are Christ's undershepherds.
- They must stand to minister to the saints.
- They must sit sometimes in judgment.
- They must walk ahead to lead the flock.
- They must run to seek Christ's wandering sheep.
- They must kneel daily to lift up the flock before the throne of grace in prayer.
- They must enclose the flock to protect them from wolves. (Even just this work requires full time service. See Paul in Acts 20:28-31)
(2) The primary concern of the minister of the gospel is to fulfill the purposes of the church.
2Ti 4:5-- 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
An example of the Biblical purpose statement of the church:
In total dependence upon the H.S. and for the glory of God alone, the church exists:
To worship God,
To be a repository of truth,
To know Christ and make Him known,
To produce true believers,
Incorporate them into the local church,
Develop them to Christlike maturity,
And equip them for ministry and mission.
(3) Their concern is the purity of the gospel, and their enemies are mainly the enemies of the faith.
(Gal 1:8-9-- 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!)
(2Jn 1:7-11-- 2JN 1:7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.)
|| Act 18:14-16--Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." 16 So he had them ejected from the court. 17 Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concerns whatever.
(4) The way the minister deals with opposition is so different from the way civil authorities deal with them.
(2Ti 2:24-26- 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.)
(Gal 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin you who are spiritual should restore him gently.)
(5) The methods of the minister are different also.
Part of politics is the art of gaining control, lording it over others. Christ said, otherwise. He said that his ministers should not act in that way. (Mt 20:25-28-- 25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.")
The way government fulfills its role in society is by the sword of man. (Rom 13:4-he does not bear the sword for nothing.) The minister however uses, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God and prayer (Eph 6:17-18). God has granted government the power to use force to insure compliance. God has granted the church only the power of influence to insure compliance. Our government concerns itself with our proper behavior; hence the threat of force is appropriate, since force can moderate behavior. But Christianity's concern is the heart, or attitude, thinking, and will of a person. In such a deep realm, only faith is effective. The church is strongest when its only force is persuasion; civil government's ultimate strength is its ability to use force.
If any pastor or evangelist wants to run for public office, he should resign first and should no longer be called a pastor or an evangelist.
b. Let us now look at the civil authority.
(1) Do what is right and he will commend you. (Rom 13:3b)
One of the functions of civil authority is to encourage and commend all good works. That is why they give awards and rewards. Please do not confuse the work of the church with the work of government. The church confronts with the gospel not only the criminal, but also the self-righteous moralist. He tells the moralist,
· There is no one righteous, not even one.
· All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
· All of our righteous deeds are filthy rags in the sight of God.
The function of government is not to tell the model policeman, "Sorry, we will not recognize your good works, because you still fall short of the glory of God. All are sinners. Your righteous deeds are filthy rags. Until you receive Christ, your good works are unacceptable". The work of government is not to convict the sinner because of his lack of faith in Christ. The standard of government for what is good is that which is inherently good acceptable to the conscience of man (Rom 2:14-15-Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.).
(2) For he is God's servant to do you good. (Rom 13:4a) They promote general welfare
Government cannot apply Gal 6:10--"Do good to all men especially to those who belong to the household of the faith. It is to promote the good of all of its citizens whatever religion they may belong to.
Protective order is the main function of our government. It is the government's business to make certain that the nation is adequately defended against aggression and capable of limiting the ravages of crime and enforcing civil laws guaranteeing safety and liberty. Government secures the rights of every individual including the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (1Ti 2:2-- 1TI 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
The "good" does not include change of human nature. The constitution, unlike the Christian religion, does not try to change human nature. The constitution is interested only in working, by check and balances, to keep all factions in their proper places. Our government is structured to keep any faction, including the majority, from becoming too powerful and lording it over other groups. This is the only way our freedom can be insured.
(3) He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Ro 13:2-4)
Civil authorities are God's agents of wrath. Pastors are God's agents of grace. The work of the government is not to forgive, not to show mercy. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The church wants the government to act like the church, and so the sinners are not afraid of the government. They have no phobia of government. Wrongdoers are to be terrified of the rulers for he is an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Ro 13:2-4-- 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For 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. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. 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.
If a civil authority is a Christian, he is not expected to do the work of an evangelist. (This is required of the minister as in 2Ti 4:5). Of course when opportune times appear they will share their faith, but mainly it will be by their good works that they will influence others. When they are invited in a function they should not think that they are required to evangelize all the time. (This is no different from 1Pet 3:1-2-- Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.)
As agents of wrath, they should be faithful to fulfill that call. When God assigned the destroying angel to kill the firstborn in Egypt or to destroy Herod, they did not announce the gospel as when the angel announced the good news to Mary or to the shepherds in the field. They were given a different assignment. The assignment of the politician therefore is to be an agent of wrath.
I think it is wrong for politicians to be always showing mercy so that the criminals are no longer afraid of the law.
The nature of the work of the minister of the gospel is so different from the nature of the work of the politician. You cannot mix one with the other.
One day, a class of fourth graders was asked by the teacher to do some creative writing. They took out their paper. "Write a story of romance," said the teacher. One of the kids was finished within a few moments. His story had three sentences:
He said, "Will you marry me?"
She said, "No."
And they lived happily ever after.
4. Who should we elect as our civil authorities? What is the standard to use in choosing our public officials? Should we vote only for Christians?
a. Ideally, it would be best to choose those who recognize God and humbly serve the people as God's servant.
A Christian would be good, but it is not necessary. It is not necessary to have a "Christian" government to look out for the poor and restrain the wickedness of those who steal, kill, or vandalize; nor to administer justice, peace and civil morality. Calvin: "It is a fact that the law of God which we call the moral law is nothing else than a testimony of natural law and of that conscience which God has engraved upon the minds of men... Hence, this equity alone must be the goal and rule and limit of all laws. Whatever laws shall be framed to that rule, directed to that goal, bound by that limit, there is no reason why we should disapprove of them, however they may differ from Jewish law, or among ourselves."
b. He should be one who is thinking of the welfare of all, including all religions. He does not favor only one group. This is the reason why it is all right for Christians to be campaigning even in non-Christian gatherings to seek for their support. A leader who will show only good favor to the believer will be no good. (For example, this happened to Gaisano, the believer. He employed Christians and non-Christians. Nagalit ang unbelievers because of the favor he showed to believers. They can have Sunday as their day off, but the others will have to work.)
c. They are to be just, and wrongdoers should be terrified of them.
d. They should give their full time to governing. (Not to stealing, not to promoting themselves).
You do not have to choose a Christian, not even a pastor. Ganyan ngayon ang paliwanag ng believer. Ay si ganoon Christian. Let us choose him.
What is wrong is this:
1. We are selfish. We want a government that just supports us.
2. It is wrong to think that we can advance God's work by means of government. Government can't save you. It was in the midst of persecution that Christianity prospered. Let us not forget what happened during the time of Constantine. It was when he gave favors to the Christians did the decline begin.
We think that it will boost the church morale. The church is so weak it has become insecure and so they rely on their carnal weapons.
