July
2008
How to Treat Earthly Governments
13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 13:2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment 13:3 (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation, 13:4 for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer. 13:5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience. 13:6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing. 13:7 Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:1-8 NET
Key Point: While answering to a higher Ruler, we are called to submit to the governing authorities in love
The “Empire strikes back”
What does it mean to “Be subject”
God is the ultimate ruler but works through appointed governments Living in 2 worlds
“In the world, but not of the world” is NOT in the Bible!
Election year politics
Legal constraints on the congregation (to maintain non-profit status)
- Publicly endorse particular candidates
- Contribute to campaigns
- Make in-kind or discounted expenditures for candidates
Legal permission
- Conduct voter registration drives
- Rent the church mailing list (at market value)
- Permit ads in church publications (at market value)
- Invite all candidates to speak; provide issue forums
- Make educational voter guides available
[Summary from The Rutherford Institute; MN Family Council]
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