Citizenship, Part I

Citizens of heaven, listen up!!
We're not there yet.
You knew that, right? (Grin)
This week we are continuing our focus on some verses that have troubled some believers and that have caused debate for quite some time. (Personally, I think some peeps just love to argue, but that is beside the point, and it's just my humble opinion, too.)

Need a refresher on our verses? Well, here they are!

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. (I Peter 2:13-17)

Today we will look at the purpose of human government....we said last time that it would be tempting when we recall that we are pilgrims here on earth, to simply disregard or even disobey the human laws and governments that are in place here. But Peter is one step ahead of us, and wants us to make sure we don't have that attitude!

Why do we have government? What is its purpose? I am not trying to get either philosophical or political here, but we will be touching on both those areas.....the government should promote justice and peace, by upholding law and order, and by maintaining reasonable national defense. (I know, right? I should just post a link to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of these United States!) Anyway, that is really boiling it down to its most basic level. I think that I'm right, because Peter writes in verse 14 that kings and governors' responsibilities are to punish evildoers and to praise those who do right.
Here is another clue to this boiled down, basic version of government: Paul talks about the government "bearing the sword" as an avenger who brings God's wrath upon those who practice evil.

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. (Romans 13:4) 

So "justice for all" is a concept that both Peter and Paul are pointing to, here. And the Old Testament, if we want to look further back, often talks about the role of the king in promoting justice and in being an example of righteousness for society.
Now, the government does this (at least partially) by legislating morality. Uh oh! Did some of you just sit up and take notice? Do you think that's not government's job? Well, don't let anyone sell you on that idea....that is precisely what the government does. Laws against murder and theft are both moral and biblical. Laws against racial discrimination reflect the biblical teaching that God is not a respecter of persons. (Both Old and New Testament passages for all of these concepts!)

I guess the real debate is this: which morality should be legislated?  I suppose there are some Christians who believe that we should emulate the Old Testament law in our present-day society, but that would mean that we would be stoning adulterers, homosexuals, and even rebellious children! Most of those who study with us live in democratic societies....the UK is a constitutional monarchy with a Parliament, the US is a republic, and the list goes on. Since these are pluralistic countries, with democratic principles of government, we would need to look at the laws.....if the value of a law would only be acceptable to those who have already accepted Christ and God's Word, then we would not be prudent to push for it. Laws against blasphemy, sabbath-breaking, or adultery would not be wise to push to legislate, even though they could be written in a way that upholds biblical principles.

But many biblical standards have broad social value. They can be argued for and pursued completely apart from biblical principles. Laws against abortion and laws protecting the handicapped and the elderly come to mind. Also, laws against pornography and against child abuse are among the issues that can be argued for on the grounds of basic human rights. One doesn't have to be a Christian to see that these people and issues are deserving of legislation and protection. Most unbelievers would agree with us, if we questioned them about whether the "Golden Rule" was a positive standard to live by. So we can use this biblical, ethical standard as the basis for legislating morality in our democratic society.

In this way, Peter and Paul are showing us that government is ordained of God to promote justice. And although Peter doesn't say it specifically, one of the results of justice will be to promote peace in our society. Paul tells us this in I Timothy:

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (I Timothy 2:1-2)

In order for citizens (whether believers or unbelievers) to live a quiet and tranquil life, the government must maintain an adequate national defense so that our country is not overrun by a power (perhaps a dictatorship or another totalitarian regime) that would rob us of our freedom and our peace.
Of course, we also believe that the government should not interfere with religious liberty, and other human rights, so in this way justice and peace will be promoted in our society. 

Now that we've explored the purpose of human government, next time we will talk about what it means to submit to that government.....