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Now, here's today's podcast from Pathway to Victory. Hi, this is Robert Jeffers and I'm glad to study God's Word with you every day on this Bible teaching program. On today's edition, a Pathway to Victory. Citizens should submit to government, Paul says.
Now think about this. If government is ordained by God, if it has a divine purpose in society, then it only stands to reason that as Christians, we have a responsibility to submit to the governing authorities. Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor Dr. Robert Jeffers. America was originally founded as a Christian nation, yet in recent decades politicians have started to dismantle our country's biblical foundation and establish laws that are hostile toward Christian values.
Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress explores whether or not Christians should ever disobey the government. But first, let's take a moment to hear some important ministry updates. Thanks, David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory. When I was a little boy, I remembered the lyrics to an old hymn.
Lord, send a revival and let it begin with me. My friend, that prayer is not a relic of another era. It's the most urgent prayer in America right now. And I believe that God is preparing to answer it. That's why I am so excited about what we are doing together through the In God We Trust matching challenge.
Until the deadline of July 5th, Every dollar you give to support Pathway to Victory is doubled, reaching more souls and carrying the gospel to a nation that desperately needs it. And as my way of saying thank you for your generous support, I want to send you our 250th commemorative edition of America is a Christian Nation. This is a beautiful full-color volume your family will treasure for generations. Plus, I'll send you the In God We Trust DVD featuring teaching from me on the future of our nation. And third, an MP3-format audio disc that includes 12 powerful performances by the First Baptist Dallas Choir and Orchestra.
I'll say more about this extraordinary book and the matching challenge later. But right now, it's time to open God's Word to Romans chapter 13. Today, I want to ask a question that may surprise you. When the government oversteps its Authority and begins to silence the church. What does the Bible say we should do?
I titled today's message, To Obey or Not to Obey. H. L. Mankin was both a cynic And a critic of everything from Christianity to the Constitution. When it came to the government, he said, the English long ago discovered that all government is evil.
And that the best way to endure it is to treat it as a suspicious character, watching it at every step. Many years later, Ronald Reagan expressed the same sentiment, but in a more humorous way. He said, government is like a baby. an alimentary canal with a big appetite on one end. and no control on the other end.
One pundit described and defined politics this way. He said, poly means many. Ticks are blood-sucking vermin. Many blood-sucking vermin. You know, government intrudes our life, it seems, increasingly every day.
And that governmental intrusion has caused some people to adopt the philosophy of Henry David Thoreau, who said, I heartily accept the motto that government is best which governs least. carried out, it finally amounts to this, which I also believe. That government is best which governs not at all. As popular as that sentiment might be even today. It's not God's perspective.
In today's passage, we're going to discover a completely different attitude toward government that God says every true Christian should have. It's an attitude that is going to surprise you. If you have your Bibles this morning, I want you to turn to Romans chapter 13.
Now, I have to tell you, I prepared today's message Monday and Tuesday this week. And I thought. It certainly has relevance. But then Wednesday, Charleston happened. And by the end of the week, I realized how very, very timely today's message is, not only for our congregation, but for our nation and our world.
That's the power of God's word. It's alive, it's active, it speaks to us exactly where we are.
Now, for review, remember, we're in that section of Romans that's dealing with the practical implications of our faith. How does righteousness, a right standing with God, how should it play out in our everyday life? And remember in chapter 12, Paul talked about our righteousness with God ought to express itself in love for other people, even love for our enemies, as we saw last time. And today, Paul is going to talk about how our Christianity ought to impact our relationship with government. You know, hardly a day goes by that we don't have some interaction with government.
Whether it's obeying traffic laws or complying with governmental regulations or paying our income taxes, government touches us in many ways every day. What should our response to government be, and what is government's responsibility toward us? First of all, let's look at what the Bible says about government. Look at verses 1 and 2 of Romans 13. Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God. And those which exist are established by God. Therefore, he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God. And they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. You may remember from your civics course The Federalist Papers.
Remember, those were originally in the 18th century a series of newspaper articles trying to convince the states to adopt the Constitution. One of the writers was James Madison, the architect of the Constitution. And in Federalist 51, he wrote these words: If men were angels, then government wouldn't be necessary. But of course, we know men and women aren't angels. And that's why he says government is necessary.
And by the way, that's why God says government is necessary. Look again at verse 1: every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities which exist are established by God. When he talks about authority here, Paul has in mind legitimate government authority that has been vested with the responsibility of ruling over people. legitimate government. Legitimate nations that have been vested with that right.
He's not talking about ISIS here. ISIS is not a legitimate governing authority, he's talking about legitimately appointed authorities. But he's also saying authorities, even if they are crooked and even cruel, Are still established by God.
Now that's hard for us to stomach, isn't it? The government that isn't perfect is still established by God. Remember when Paul wrote these words, remember who the ruler of the world was, the ruler of the Roman Empire. His name was Nero. Nero.
The guy who used to use Christians as human candles in his garden. And yet, Paul said, even Nero. has been established by God. If you find it hard to believe that, think about Jesus' words in John 19:11 as he stood before Pontius Pilate. Who would order him crucified?
Remember what Jesus said to Pilate? You would have no authority over me unless it had been given you. From above. The implication is clear. God had given Pilate His authority.
Well, why would God do such a thing if Pilate was going to use that authority to murder Jesus? Because even the murder of Jesus. Was part of God's inexplicable plan that resulted in our salvation. That's why he says in verse 2, therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God. If God has set government in place, Then doesn't it stand to reason whoever disobeys government, resists government, is actually disobeying God and will receive condemnation upon themselves?
The general principle here is: first of all, government is appointed by God. Principle number two in verses three and four: government's purpose is to establish order. The reason God put governing officials in place is to keep order in the world by punishing evildoers. and praising those who do well. Look at verses three and four.
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior. but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For it, talking about government, is a minister of God to you for good.
That word minister in Greek is the same word we get deacon from. Government is a servant to us for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For government does not bear the sword for nothing. That's a clear reference to capital punishment.
Government has the right to take a life. It doesn't wield the sword for nothing. It is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. I want you to notice in these two verses, verses 3 and 4, three principles Paul gives us about good government. Government that is fulfilling its God-ordained purpose.
Number one, good government should not be feared by those who do good. He says that clearly in verse 3: if you do the right thing, You don't need to be afraid of government. That is, most of the time. That's a general principle. As long as you obey the traffic laws, pay your taxes, don't blow up buildings, you're going to be okay.
You don't have to fear government if you do what is right.
Now You know, I'm veering into the world of A little bit of opinion here, but I think it's God-ordained opinion, so I'll say it anyway. You know, we have all of this controversy going on right now about the NSA and about gathering phone records and surveillance in order to keep our country safe and whether we ought to allow government to intrude upon us.
Now, I know I'm on dangerous ground here, but let me just say this. I mean, if you're doing the right thing. Why do you care? I mean, if you're doing the right thing and you're not calling terrorists person to person, I mean, why do you really care? It's those who do evil.
Who really have reason to be afraid? That's what he's saying here. If you do the right thing, you don't need to be fearful. Good government should not be feared by those who do good. He goes on to say in verse 1: you will have praise from the same if you do what is right.
Now, he's not saying government's going to give you the Citizen of the Year award for paying your income tax or stopping at a red light. He's not saying that, but what he's saying is: if you do the right thing, government will leave you alone. You'll be in a good standing with government. And that really ought to be our goal, shouldn't it? To just be in a relationship with government where they will leave us alone.
Do I hear an amen on that? I mean, that's what Paul said in 1 Timothy 2, verses 1 and 2. He said, First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers and petitions and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all men, for whom? For kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. He's saying, let's pray for the government.
Let's pray for the president, for the senators, for the Supreme Court. Let's pray for them. Why? Mainly, that they would just leave us alone.
So we can live a godly life and be free to share the gospel. That is the reason to have a right relationship with government. And he's saying that if we will do the right thing, government will leave us alone and leave us free to fulfill our God-ordained purpose. Principle number two. Good government instills fear in evildoers and serves as an instrument of God's wrath.
Look at verse 4 again. Government does not bear the sword for nothing, but it is a minister of God, an avenger. Who brings wrath on the one who practices evil? That word avenger in Greek is ectikos. Ektikos.
It literally means an agent. Of punishment. That's what government is: an agent of punishment.
Now, stay with me on this. The purpose of government is not only to prevent evil, But it's also to bring wrath upon those who do engage in evil. God has given government the power of the sword to execute those who do evil. Remember back in Romans 12, we saw last time God talked about how we're to treat our enemies. And remember what he says in verse 19: Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God.
For it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. God said, never try to settle the score yourself. Let somebody else do it. If somebody has wronged you, don't try to get even. Let God settle the score.
He's not saying that those who wrong you shouldn't Be treated with justice and executed with justice, he's just saying, don't you be the one to do it. Let God do that. Yesterday I was on Fox and Friends to talk about what I believe is the single most remarkable display of Christianity I've ever witnessed in my life. And it was The victims' families in the shooting in Charleston, who one by one, Confronted the killer and said, We forgive you, we forgive you, we forgive you. I heard Greg Gutfeld say on the five, he said, You know, I'm not a religious person.
But I was blown away by that. I couldn't understand it. How could somebody forgive?
Well, yesterday I explained that when those family members said We forgive you. They weren't denying that a terrible wrong had occurred. They weren't trying to rationalize Dylan Roof's behavior. And they certainly weren't giving up their desire for justice for the killer. What they were giving up was their desire for vengeance.
They were saying, we're not going to be the one. To settle this score, we're going to let God do it. And one way God settles the scores with cold killers like Dylan Roof. It's through government. through the power of the sword.
And that's why I'm such a strong believer in capital punishment. That's not an opinion. That's not just permissible. It is God's preferred method for dealing with killers. The fact is, when you execute somebody who takes another life, you're extolling the value of life.
God said life is so sacred that anyone who takes it, anyone who takes a human life should have his life taken as well. Genesis 9:6, from the very beginning, God said, Whoever sheds man's blood by man, his blood will also be shed. And you see, I believe personally. Capital punishment. Helps victims' families like these heal more quickly.
If they can know with absolute certainty that God through government is going to render justice, then they can let go of any bitterness. They can let go of a desire to settle the score, knowing that God is going to take care of it. That's why the Bible says one of government's rules and purposes is to instead fear in evil doers. Government ought to instill a fear that would keep people from wanting to commit atrocities like this. That's the role of good government.
Number three, good government serves and seeks the good of the people. Look at verse 4. Paul said, They are a minister of God to you for good. When government fulfills its divinely ordained purpose, It's going to serve the people. But when government ever strays beyond its boundaries into areas it has no business getting in, it is serving itself.
These are the principles of good government. Number three, citizens should submit to government, Paul says. Citizens should submit to government.
Now look at verse 5. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience's sake.
Now think about this. If government is ordained by God, if it has a divine purpose in society, then it only stands to reason that as Christians, we have a responsibility to submit to the governing authorities. How do we do that? How do we act in subjection? He says we do it not only because we're afraid of the wrath of government, but for our own conscience's sake.
Notice the two ways we submit to government. First of all, we submit by treating governing officials with fear and honor. Those are the words he uses in verse 7. Give fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due. What he's talking about here is a respect.
Mm-hmm. for the authority. That God has set in place.
Now you know these days Policeman. Everywhere. or in the crosshairs of criticism. Whether it is because of acts in Baltimore or Ferguson or New York City or even here in McKinney, Texas.
Now I realize. All policemen aren't perfect all the time. After all, my brother's a policeman. I understand that better than anyone. They don't always get it right.
But listen to me, most of the time they do get it right. And before you blast an email to me, Hear this very carefully. Much. Most Most, not all, but most of the conflicts with police today is the result of citizens disobeying the God-ordained authority God has placed over them. That's what is going on here.
You know. I don't understand. I mean, it's just incomprehensible to me. Teenagers and young adults that cry, police abuse, police abuse. Just because They didn't stop when the police said stop.
Where did these people get the idea you had the right to say no to a policeman? to an ordained authority. The fact is, the Bible says, look at this verse: whoever resists authority. Is resisting God Himself.
Some of you are gonna send me an email, and you're gonna say, well, what about this case in New York? And what about this case? And what about this case? Have you ever stopped to think about this? The reason Gretchen and newscasters report this story is because they are news.
They are the exceptions rather than the rule to how police conduct themselves. You don't hear stories about police who act rightly every time because that's the norm. The exception is when police abuse their authority. And listen to what the word of God says. When you resist the police, you are resisting authority.
And if you do what is right, you have no fear of authority. We submit by treating with fear and honor those whom God has placed over us. Secondly, we submit by paying our taxes. Do I hear an amen on that one? Probably not.
But that's what Paul says. He said: if government is going to fulfill its duty, it's going to have to be funded. Look at verse 7. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. This is what Jesus said in Luke 20, verse 25, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's.
And Paul goes on to say in verse 8, owe nothing to anyone except to love one another. What he's really saying is don't be delinquent in paying your taxes. Don't owe government anything that is due to them. In fact, he goes on to say: don't owe anybody anything that is due to them, whether it's money or love or honor, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Well, as faithful believers living in the United States of America, you and I stand at a national crossroads.
So here's the question: Will we boldly uphold the timeless biblical values that have shaped the very foundation of our great nation? Or shh. Will we stand on the sidelines and watch our beloved country slip further into moral and spiritual oblivion? Right now, you can help us uphold our Christian values by giving toward the In God We Trust matching challenge. From now through midnight on July 5th, your gift to Pathway to Victory will be matched and therefore doubled in impact until we reach the goal of $1.5 million.
America is in a spiritual crisis. The statistics are sobering. Your gift to the matching challenge will help us pierce that growing darkness. Expanding our broadcast reach, acquiring additional TV and radio time in key markets, and bringing the hope of the gospel to those who are hurting and afraid. Every dollar you give is immediately doubled, twice the light.
twice the reach. I'm going to say thanks for your gift today by sending you a keepsake book for your entire family. It's called the 250th Commemorative Edition of America is a Christian Nation. As a bonus, I'll also include a DVD of two popular messages and an MP3 format audio disc featuring incredible patriotic performances by the First Baptist Dallas Choir and Orchestra. Thank you in advance for your generous support during the matching challenge.
We couldn't do this without you. Here's David with all the details. When you give a generous gift to support the Ministry of Pathway to Victory, You're invited to request the brand new 250th commemorative edition of America is a Christian Nation. In addition to the book, you'll receive In God We Trust. It's a brand new two-disc set featuring music performances by the First Baptist Dallas Choir and Orchestra and teaching from Dr.
Robert Jeffress. To request these resources, call 866-999-2965. Visit ptv.org or you could text ptv to 78800. And when you give $100 or more, we'll also send you the America and the Bible Message Series on DVD video and MP3 format audio disc set. And remember, because of the In God We Trust matching challenge, your gift to pathway to victory will be matched and therefore doubled in impact.
So be sure to get in touch with us today. One more time, call 866-999-2965 or go online to ptv.org. You can also send your donation by mail right to P.O. Box 223-609 Dallas, Texas 75222. Again, that's P.O.
Box 223-609-Dallas, Texas, 75222. I'm David J. Mullins, inviting you to join us again next time when Dr. Jeffers continues this message called To Obey or Not To Obey. That's Wednesday here on Pathway to Victory.
Pathway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. You made it to the end of today's podcast from Pathway to Victory, and we're so glad you're here. Pathway to Victory relies on the generosity of loyal listeners like you to make this podcast possible. And right now, your ministry gift will be matched and therefore doubled in impact thanks to the In God We Trust $1.5 million matching challenge.
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