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Remember how God blesses you through your government.
When was the last time you heard or read a positive story about our government? Can you think of one? If you think hard enough, you may remember a story about a police officer or firefighter saving someone’s life.
Those acts of heroism stand out, but there is much more we can be thankful for. In the United States, much of what our government does for us goes largely unnoticed. We turn on our water and flush our toilets without thinking that our local government has provided this service for us. Our drinking water is clean, safe, and regularly monitored by a public servant somewhere. We call 911, and a squad car and ambulance arrive within minutes. We complain about roads with potholes but forget to give thanks for the miles of highways and freeways that enable us to travel easily and quickly.
Established for our good
God has established governing authorities for our good. That’s what Paul teaches us in Romans 13:3-5: “Rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”
Paul teaches us three important truths in these words. First, he says that God has established governing authorities for the benefit of society. Without laws and law enforcement, there would be utter chaos in our land. Think of living in Haiti at the present time, where government has broken down and the country is ruled by gangs. When was the last time you were subject to a crime? I can think of only once in my life—when our car was stolen. But the police returned it after it was abandoned, and the thief was arrested. Good law enforcement keeps crime down, and that is a good thing.
Second, Paul tells us that “rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.” The church and the state work in different ways. The church works with the gospel, and it changes peoples’ hearts and lives. The state works with laws and enforcement of those laws. It punishes those who break the laws and rewards those who keep them. To that end, the state provides a safe place for the church to do its work. Paul encouraged Timothy to pray for those in authority: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). When you are tempted to complain about your government, say a prayer instead!
Third, we have two reasons to respect those who rule over us and to obey the laws of our land: the threat of punishment and for conscience’s sake. The matter of obeying our government falls under the Fourth Commandment. When we obey our government, we are also obeying God. The authorities that exist have been established by God, and we are conscience-bound to obey them as God’s representatives. The only exception is when they command us to disobey God. Then “we must obey God rather than human beings” (Acts 5:29).
Established to help
Paul experienced the positive blessings of government when a riot in Jerusalem threatened his life (Acts 22:22-29). The mob would have torn Paul apart if the centurion had not intervened. He took Paul into custody. When the centurion found out that Paul was a Roman citizen, he treated him accordingly with respect. God saved Paul that day through a faithful solider who was doing his duty. We can be thankful for all the government officials who serve us so well.
Some time ago, I decided to build a deck on my house. I’m no carpenter but wanted to spare myself the carpenter’s wages. I sketched a plan on paper with a few dimensions included and went to the building inspector to get a building permit. He looked at my sketch and said, “Come back on Monday, Pastor, and I’ll have your permit.” When I went back, he handed me my permit along with computer rendered drawings that showed me the size of the pilings, the support beams, and all the hardware needed to connect the deck to my house. He used his position to help rather than hinder me in my project. When I was done and it was inspected, I knew that my deck was safe and sound to use.
Be thankful for civil servants in government—and not just those in Washington, D.C. Be thankful for the police, firefighters, and EMTs. Be thankful for those who work in public works and city government. God has provided us with a whole network of civil servants who keep us safe.
So when you are tempted to complain, give thanks instead and pray for those God has placed in authority over you.
This is the second article in a four-part series on government.
Join us in October for a four-week live online Bible study on church and state. Stay tuned for dates, times, and registration information at forwardinchrist.net/online-study.
Author: Charles Degner
Volume 111, Number 08
Issue: August 2024
Worthy of all honor
In explaining the Fourth Petition in the Lord’s Prayer in his Large Catechism, Martin Luther encouraged remembering our governing authorities:
“When you mention and pray for daily bread, you pray for everything that is necessary in order to have and enjoy daily bread and, on the other hand, against everything which interferes with it. Therefore you must open wide and extend your thoughts not only to the oven or the flour-bin, but to the distant field and the entire land, which bears and brings to us daily bread and every sort of sustenance. . . . And there is, indeed, the greatest need to pray for temporal authority and government, as that by which most of all God preserves to us our daily bread and all the comforts of this life. For though we have received of God all good things in abundance, we are not able to retain any of them or use them in security and happiness, if he did not give us a permanent and peaceful government. . . . Therefore [government officials] are also worthy of all honor, that we give to them for their office what we ought and can, as to those through whom we enjoy in peace and quietness what we have” (Concordia Triglotta, p. 719).
Adapted from the Bible study Politics Is Driving Me Crazy! This study is available at Northwestern Publishing House, nph.net.
- When politics drives you crazy: Part 4
- When politics drives you crazy: Part 3
- When politics drives you crazy: Part 2
- When politics drives you crazy: Part 1
- Psalm 103: When you count your blessings