Submission to God and Government Are Both God’s Will
- Jack Selcher
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Poking fun at the government keeps late-night TV hosts in business. In Russia, such behavior would significantly decrease life expectancy!
Since 2000, the average approval rating of US presidents has been less than 50 percent.1 Congressional job approval is currently 28 percent.2
Over the last twenty years, most US citizens have been dissatisfied with their government. Nevertheless, Romans 13:1-7 commands us to respect our government. Sometimes, I struggle with that.
Christians are citizens of both earth and heaven (Philippians 3:20). We have responsibilities to both realms.
God established human government to give order to our lives and punish criminals who violate that order. Therefore, we are to place ourselves under the government’s authority.
It is mysterious. God establishes even corrupt governments. God has given even the Hitlers of this world their positions.
He has also given Satan authority. We do not understand why. “And he [Satan] said to him [Jesus], 'I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want’” (Luke 4:6 NIV).
We are citizens of two kingdoms. Sometimes, their demands pull us in opposite directions. However, that tug-of-war is not in view in these verses.
Those who rebel against the state are fighting what God has established. They bring judgment on themselves that carries God’s stamp of approval.
Government officials are God’s servants for good. 1 Timothy 2:2 (NIV) describes the government’s purpose: “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
A society without boundaries or rules would be in constant turmoil. It would be like the chaos in Israel before it had a king. The people did what they wanted (Judges 21:25).
Is revolution against the government ever justified? If history is the story of God’s unfolding will, some revolutions against existing governments must be God-ordained.
How do I know? Some of them succeeded! We can justify such a revolution when the state is not practicing its God-given function of rewarding good and suppressing evil.
Paul mentions two reasons we should submit to the state. The first is the likelihood of punishment if we do not. The second is for the sake of conscience out of a sense of obligation to God.
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority” (1 Peter 2:13 NIV). When we understand that the government is God’s servant, paying taxes becomes reasonable, assuming benefit from that tax money. The government needs money.
The USA is one nation under God. Staying under God means staying under the authority of the government. What is your takeaway?
2. https://nolabels.org/the-latest/congress-approval-ratings-americans-are-losing-faith-in-congress/
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