There are three divine institutions, established by God: the FAMILY, the CHURCH and GOVERNMENT.
God set apart the home by instituting marriage. Husband and wife committed to each other and the means of propagating the human race through children. God set apart the Church to be God’s means of offering salvation to all mankind. God set apart government to protect the rights of individuals. There must be law (government) or you have anarchy. Government is established to enable people to live together peaceably which demands law. Government makes possible for a large group of people to provide for one another. Government is the representative for the people in directing the affairs of the state.
Romans 13:1 “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”
I Peter 2:13-14 “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
I Peter 1:17 “Show proper respect to everyone: love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”
There is one exception to our responsibility to government and that is found in Acts 5:9: “Peter and the other Apostles replied: we must obey God rather than men.”
Our first obligation is to God. The law of God is the highest law of all. There can be no conflict, no interference with God’s clear teachings. No earthly power can require the children of God to do wrong, to not love the Lord, to not worship God. Our primary allegiance is to God through obeying His Word. But, God has delegated His authority for governing people to man so we must be subject to any and all laws not contrary to the laws of God.
Even though government is of God the choice of the people who do the governing is up to man. Israel wanted a King, like other nations, so God allowed the people their choice and it turned out disastrous. God has given man a wisdom to chose who they will have governing them. Be wise in your choice. Don’t blame God if the wrong person gets in office. Majority vote does not necessarily mean right.
We Christians are citizens of two worlds and to both we must be obedient. Our first and primary obedience is to God and then to government as long as it does not contradict the laws of God. Be excellent citizens of both worlds.
Max Speaking 