" BE SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT "

Romans 13:1 " Says every 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. Now, there are times when we should not submit to the government? We should never allow government to force us to disobey God. Jesus and his Apostles never disobeyed the government for personal reasons: When they disobeyed, it was in order to follow their higher loyalty to God. Their disobedience was not cheap: they were threatened, beaten, thrown into jail, tortured, and executed for their convictions. Like them, if we are compelled to disobey, we must be ready to accept the consequences. Now, I'm of the mind that christians understand Romans 13 in different ways. All Christians agree that we are to live at peace with the state as long as the state allows us to live by our religious convictions. As far back as can be remembered there have been at least three interpretations of how we are to do this (1) There are some who are of the mind that the state is so corrupt, Christians should have as little to do with it as possible. Although they should be good Citizens as long as they can do without compromising their beliefs, they should not work for the government, vote in elections, or serve in the military. (2) Others believe that God has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in others. Christians can be loyal to both an can work for either. They should not, however, confuse the two. In this view, Church and State are concerned with two totally different spheres - the Spiritual and the Physical - thus complement each other but do not work together. (3) Now, my school of thought, is that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better. We are to be good citizens and we can do this politically by electing Christians or other High - Principled Leaders. They can also do this morally, by serving as an influence for good in society. In this view, Church and State ideally work together for the good of all. Now neither of these views advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey the government's laws or regulations unless those laws clearly require you to violate the moral standards revealed by God. However we find ourselves, we must be responsible citizens, as well as responsible christians. Until Next Time... Jim,