The Importance of Having Government Leaders and Laws
“All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves. Those who do right do not have to fear the rulers; only those who do wrong fear them. Do you want to be unafraid of the rulers? Then do what is right, and they will praise you. The ruler is God’s servant to help you. But if you do wrong, then be afraid. He has the power to punish; he is God’s servant to punish those who do wrong. So you must yield to the government, not only because you might be punished, but because you know it is right.” - Romans 13:1-5
God is a God of structure and created His creation to run in the way He wants it to. He is the one who established a structured government with laws and leaders. He did it after the flood in Genesis 9:6. He decreed, “Whoever kills a human being will be killed by a human being.” This decree gave men the authority to judge criminal matters and to punish offenders.
The importance of having a structured government is that it helps keep an ordered society. Without a well-run society, the world would be full of chaos and disorder. People would believe they have the right to do what they want without any retribution. For that reason, having an established government is better than having nothing. We do not have to fear who is in charge of the government because God is the one who gives them power and approves what they do.
With that in mind, God requires all people to obey the laws and leaders. If we do what is right by obeying the law, we have no reason to fear authorities. It is the one who breaks the law who has to fear punishment. If anyone rebels against the government, they are really rebelling against God and what He has ordained.
There is an exception when a Christian is not required to listen to authority which is if they are ordered to sin or to compromise their loyalty to Jesus (Acts 5:29). No government has the right to command a believer’s conscience. There might be times when we must suffer the wrath of men when obeying God.
Prayer of the day:
Dear heavenly Father,
We want to pray for our leaders that You put in place around the world. You created the laws and leaders for our good even though it is hard to agree or like them. Please give us the grace to support and care for those who are in charge. Being a leader is hard work in a world full of sinful people. Thank you for the godly leadership in the church, too, and we want to pray for them. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
