Biblical Government

The Bible has several sections that refer to government and governors. One of the most succinct is probably Romans 13.

Romans 13 not only admonishes us to submit to the governing authorities appointed by God, but it also tells us the purpose of those authorities. That purpose is to act in His stead in the affairs of men and enforce His commandments on Earth. The implication of this is obvious, we should be able to recognize a Godly government by the actions of our governors. Likewise, a properly administered Godly government should recognize and protect Godly citizens and punish the wicked.

If we find that our government praises and rewards the wicked and condemns the good, then that government is no longer acting with the authority of God and must be removed and replaced accordingly. This is what our founders saw in the government of the British king, and why they removed him (and all other men) from authority over their new country, the United States. Seeking Godly wisdom, they placed men into authority over themselves as individuals and bid them to submit themselves to no other authority except their fellow citizens and most of all to God Himself. This is why our presidents, representatives and citizens do not traditionally bow to foreign sovereigns, we do not recognize their sovereignty over us.

The founders understood that men must govern themselves if they are to live with freedom, and that men could only govern themselves through faith and reliance on God’s wisdom.

We should expect no less of our government, ourselves and our fellow citizens today.

Romans 13
Be Subject to Government
1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3For 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; 4for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.