Today on the Verdict with Pastor John Monroe. How should we respond to laws and decisions of courts which are contrary to Scripture? Are we to take the law into our own hands? Our subject today is a very relevant one. It's a very interesting one.
It's the subject of God and government. Welcome to the Verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe, Senior Pastor of Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. When you read about a law or a court decision that seems unjust, it's easy to get angry and want to do something about it. But how should we respond as followers of Christ? Today, we're discovering the biblical answer as we continue our study in Matthew.
Now here's Pastor John Monroe with today's message. Last time we looked at the very relevant subject of God and government. Our nation is meant to be a nation of laws, but it seems that increasingly people justify breaking laws and even rioting. How are we to respond to laws which we consider unjust and contrary to Scripture? Last time we saw.
That we should pay our taxes to governments, even when they're unjust and oppressive. Jesus taught that we are to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. He's answering the hypocritical and manipulative question of the Pharisees who ask, "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?" I'm sure you will agree that it is impossible to improve on the answer Jesus gives. Let's continue now. To think of the teaching of Jesus relating to God and government.
Here's the question: Should taxes be paid to unjust and oppressive rulers? That's the question that the Pharisees and Herodians come in verses fifteen through seventeen and ask Jesus. But Jesus, aware of their malice, said. Show me the coin for the tax, and they brought him a denarius. That's the coin, the Roman coin.
And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." It's not brilliant passage. That's one to reflect on. That's one to meditate on. Should we obey ungodly rulers? That's the question.
The answer. Maybe you don't like it, but here it is. Therefore, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. But here's another question: What if? Caesar's laws and God's laws are in conflict.
Here is the principle: when government infringes on God's kingdom, followers of Jesus must obey God rather than the government.
So, followers of Jesus are to disobey laws which are contrary to the commands of God.
Now I'm not saying just about laws you don't like. I'm driving on the interstate. I don't like the 70 limit. I'm a great driver. In fact, I'm one of the best drivers out there.
But that's not the law. No, it's not laws I don't like. It's laws which are contrary to the commands of God. That is, we have a biblical responsibility to obey God's higher law when it directly conflicts with man's law. My ultimate allegiance is not to Caesar, not to the government, not to the United States, but to God.
Isn't that true?
So, what are you to do when Caesar wants things that belong to God? Here are some laws which followers of Jesus are to disobey. A command to kill is to be disobeyed. Remember the remember the story back in Exodus one. The Pharaoh feels that the Israelites are becoming too strong, and so he brings out this edict: little baby boys that are born are to be killed.
With the story of how God protected Moses, but the command is given by Pharaoh. That baby boys are to be killed at birth—that was in direct conflict with God's law: "Thou shalt not kill." And the Hebrew midwives refused to kill male babies, even when commanded by Pharaoh.
Now, in our country, abortion is permitted. But it's not commanded. What would happen if the government put out a law? We have it in some countries that you can only have, as I say, two children, and then a third child is being conceived. What would we do if the government said that baby has to be aborted?
I trust we would disobey the law and take the consequences of doing that. Here's another one: a command to worship or to pray to anyone other than God is to be disobeyed. Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; they were told to bow down and worship the image of Nebuchadnezzar, and they refused to bow. He was furious with them. If you don't bow, you're going to be sent into the fiery furnace.
Well, number one, we believe God will deliver us. But even if He doesn't deliver us, we're still not going to bow. I love that, don't you? Very easy, isn't it, for us to sit in our armchair? And talk about disobeying some petty law of a government.
It's another thing to know that if you disobey, you're going to be killed. And God delivered them. You ever in a situation where you're you have to pray to a false god? I remember several years ago now, I was asked to pray at one of the Panther games, and I said, "Oh, okay." And then they said, "Now, of course, made it clear I couldn't pray in the name of the Lord Jesus. No, thank you.
No, thank you. I'm not. I'm not praying to a false god. My God is a true God, and I come to Him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And no, I'm not.
Well, in that case, sir, the invitation is rescinded. That's fine. That's fine. Thank you." Think what happens in our society with this Eastern mysticism and some cases of yoga and all the rest of it. People almost get wrapped up in a false god.
We do not pray or worship anyone other than the true God and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. A command to stop praying is disobeyed. Daniel is told. Daniel six. Stop praying, and if you pray, you're going to be thrown into the lions.
Then, I mean, what's worse, going into fiery furnace or going with the lions? I think I would choose the lions. Right? What would be better, being mauled by lions or being burned to death? I don't know.
But how many of us, seriously? How many of us? Would continue to pray if you knew that the government, say through the police or whatever it is, came and arrested you and threw you into a den of lions. Daniel did that, and God delivered him. A command not to witness is to be disobeyed.
We have that in the early chapters of Acts, where the apostles were told to stop preaching about Christ. Acts five verse twenty seven. They brought them and set them before the council, and the high priest questioned them, saying, "We strictly charge you not to teach in this name. Yet here you are. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Peter and the apostles answered, "Here it is.
We must obey God rather than men." Oh, these were men of courage, aren't they? These were not wimpy apostles. They are prepared to die for their faith, and they continued with holy boldness to continue to preach the gospel. No, a command not to witness, not to tell people about the Lord Jesus Christ, is to be disobeyed. The principle is our highest allegiance.
Is to God, not to the government, not to an employer, or anyone else.
Now, this principle—this is a long quote, and I put it up, but it's very, very, very, very good. In fifteen ninety six, think of this: Andrew Melville in Scotland took a stand against King James the Sixth. Of Scotland, he was going to become King James the First of England when Elizabeth the First died, and the two kingdoms were united. This is the King James of the King James Bible, and King James in Scotland, as he was then at the time, King James the Sixth, he felt they believed in the divine right of kings that he was appointed by God, and he was to be supreme over everything, and he asserted that the crown was over the church, the Kirk. Andrew Melville was a great scholar, a godly man, and he believed that King James was seeking to usurp the authority of God in his church.
And here is what he says to the king, Sir: We will always humbly reverence your Majesty and public respect to those to who all respect. But since we have this occasion to be with your Majesty in private, we must discharge your duty, or else be traitors both to Christ and to you. Therefore, sir, at divers times I have told you.
So now again, I must tell you that I love this. There are two kings and two kingdoms in Scotland. There is King James, the Lord of the Commonwealth, and there is Christ Jesus, the King of the Church, whose subject. James the sixth is, and of whose kingdom he's not a king, nor a lord, nor a head. We will yield to you your place and give you all due obedience.
But again, I say, you are not the head of the church. You cannot give us that eternal life that we seek, for even in this world, and you cannot deprive us of it. Wasn't that magnificent? King James didn't like it. And when he goes to England, he leaves the Presbyterian Church and becomes an Anglican, so he can appoint their bishops.
And even today, Queen Elizabeth is the head of the Church of England. Pretty nominal, I know, but we think no, no, no. The government. We respect the president. We respect the governor.
We respect the mayor. We pray for them. It is true, but in the Church of Jesus Christ, Christ is the King. Christ is the Head, and it is to Him that we obey.
So, when the King, or the president, or the Supreme Court, or the governor, or the mayor infringe on God's kingdom, we must follow God rather than government.
Now a few comments in conclusion. Christians are not to rebel against the government, or to be characterized by vengeance. Jesus didn't encourage violence against Rome. No, we are to be law-abiding people, paying taxes, submitting to the laws, respecting our police officers, and so on. We are to be exemplary citizens and faithful followers of Christ.
We are to pray for our leaders. Do you get that? First Timothy, chapter two. I think we don't do this enough. I know we don't do this enough.
Paul says, "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings, and for all who are in positions, high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God, our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, and so on." Why is it important that we pray for those in authority, so that the spread of the gospel can be made? That is our priority. No political party, no political ideology, no particular man that we think is going to be the savior of the country. How ridiculous!
No, our allegiance is not to that. Our allegiance is to God, so that the gospel can spread, and also. We're not to slander our leaders. I think one of the sad things that happened happened with President Trump, and it's happening with President Biden, that we hear people slandering our president. They did that when President when Trump was president.
They're doing that when Biden is president. It arises from different sides. But here is Paul, and he's before the high priest. And he, and the high priest strikes, hits Paul on the mouth, and the God, and Paul says to him, "God is going to strike you, your whitewashed wall." He didn't hit him back, but he said, "God's going to strike you, your whitewashed wall." Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God's high priest?" And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was a high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" That is Acts twenty-three verses one through five. You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.
So we speak respectfully of President Trump. We speak respectfully of President Biden. We may disagree with them. We may argue with them. We may think they're wrong.
We have the right to do that, but don't slander them. And the vulgarity that has come into our public discourse in politics is shameful, isn't it? You don't want children to hear that kind of talk. I'm thankful for a mother who made it sure that when we spoke, we didn't speak with vulgarities. And now the public discourse has come down, and we speak of presidents and politicians and past presidents and so on, and call them names and demean them.
That should not be in the lips of the follower of Jesus Christ. We may think the wrong, but let us speak respectfully of those in authority. If I am stopped by a police officer, I think he's wrong. I'm to speak to him respectfully. I'm not to swear at the man or shout at the woman.
God has placed them in that position, and we, as followers of Jesus Christ, must observe this. Yes, we may certainly use lawful means for protest and change. That's allowed in our society. We're thankful for that. Letters and petitions and elections and parent-teacher associations and peaceful marches, and to be concerned about electing and praying for righteous people—that's true.
But civil disobedience—here's the point: civil disobedience is only allowed when man's laws require an act which is contrary to God's word or prohibit an act which is consistent with God's word. Civil disobeying the law, not just because I don't like the law, not just because I think it's a crazy law. No, I'm to be that, but I am to disobey it when it is contrary to God's word. Also, if you participate in civil disobedience, you must be ready to face the consequences of your actions. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, during World War Two, opposed—he's a German and opposed the Nazi government—and for that, he was killed.
A man who was true to his principles, who opposed an ungodly government, and suffered the consequences. Remember that we are in a spiritual war. Paul tells us in Second Corinthians ten. That our war is not against the flesh; we're in spiritual warfare. And when you're engaged in spiritual warfare, you do not use the weapons of the flesh.
Second Corinthians ten: Though we walk in the flesh, verse three, we are not waging war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh. But have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments in every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. Being ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete. Notice that the weapons that we use as followers of Jesus Christ are not of the flesh.
Use the weapon of truth. Declare the truth. Fearlessly, but humbly, speak the truth in love. We see this weapon of love and truth when we have families who are fostering children, adopting children, when we support the the pregnancy resource center, when people go and care. For these mothers, what are we doing?
Yes, we're against abortion. That is true, but we're using the weapon of truth, the weapon of love. Use the weapon of prayer. That's what the early church did. Here is Peter in prison.
What do the Christians do? Arrange some kind of protest outside the prison? Shout hate slogans? Absolutely not. You know what they're doing?
Acts twelve. They're praying. And God miraculously frees Peter. Prayer is more powerful than protest. I'm not saying you never protest; you have the right to protest.
But the weapon that God gives us is prayer, which is more powerful than protest. Use the weapon of faith in God. I hear people as they talk about the government, and it's so gloomy, and the country is going down, and poor us, you know, Americans. It's so tough living in this country. Have you lived in another country?
Do you realize how blessed we are here in the United States? Do you have an understanding how the majority of the people in the world live? Do you think what's happened in Ethiopia? I saw on BBC yesterday a little documentary about the civil war in Ethiopia and the devastation that came, and families. One, one, one said the the missile hit his house, and his daughter and his wife died right in front of him.
Here we are, in the wonderful United States of America. We have faith in God. One voice sang about God is for us. We're people of hope. We're people of faith.
That one day God's blessed son is going to come, and there will be righteousness and perfect justice throughout the world. Christ is our savior, not some politician. I don't put my faith in a politician and a certain individual, not at all. Put your faith in God. We're people of hope.
Use the weapon of righteousness, living holy, righteous lives, where we display the Lord Jesus Christ. In ancient times, an owner would take his ring and press it into hot wax, leaving his seal, his stamp, his image. God's people were made in the image of God. We bear the mark of God as a follower of Jesus Christ, as a someone saved by His grace. I'm I'm being conformed, as you are, to the very image of God's perfect Son.
I'm therefore to render to God the things that are God's, as we are God's kind. And this begins, of course, when we enter the kingdom of God. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world." And how do we enter the kingdom of God? Repent and believe in the gospel. Repent.
Look to the Savior and seek first His kingdom. This is the verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe. There's still more to hear when John returns in just a moment.
So stay with us. From matters of truth and identity to the subjects of love and grace. Our world seems more confused than ever, but to find truth and certainty about who we are and find peace, we must turn our attention away from the world and look to the Word of God. To help you do that, John wrote a booklet titled "Eternal Security: Finding Certainty in a Chaotic World." Through this special resource, John shares his personal testimony along with a careful examination of Scripture to offer us clarity on matters of eternity. Get your copy today by visiting our website at theverdict.org.
While you are there, consider making an investment in this Bible teaching ministry. Whether it's five dollars, fifty dollars, or more, your gift today helps cover the cost of sharing these gospel messages to listeners around the world. And if you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to the Verdict podcast, featuring John's weekly podcast exclusive called Avizandum. It's available wherever you get your podcasts, or simply go to our website. Again, that's theverdict.org.
The verdict is a ministry of Calvary Church in South Charlotte. We're located on the corner of Highway 51 and Ray Road. If you've been looking for a church home or a community to help you grow in your walk with Christ, we invite you to join us for our Sunday services. For more details about Calvary and our service times, visit theverdict.org.
Now, here's Pastor John Monroe.
Well, what's your verdict? Do you pay your taxes? Are you rendering to Caesar what is his? Are you rendering to God the things that are God's? Don't fall into the trap of some Christians who allow their political ideology to become their priority and so shape how they live.
You are a follower of a Lord Jesus Christ, so display Christ. Yes, there is a time to take a stand against injustice. Obey God rather than man. But make sure you're using godly weapons as you oppose injustice. Thanks for joining us today on the Verdict.
I'm Michelle Davies. Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
