Title: GOVERNMENT—SERVANTS OF GOD

Focus: Government officials are servants in the hand of God. View them and respond to them as such.

Function: To encourage the people to overcome skepticism, cynicism and anger toward elected government officials by responding to them as servants in the hand of God.

Text: Romans 13:1-7

Americans are angry. As a nation we are going through a financial crisis of earthquake proportions. Wall Street totters on the brink of collapse, and Main Street citizens are beginning to feel the brunt of the financial meltdown in our nation. I observe and hear fear and some anxiety in our voices, and the emerging, dominant emotion is one of anger:

• Anger about the nation’s paper loss of two trillion dollars or more of retirement account assets.
• Anger toward congress and its so-called “bail out” or “rescue package.”
• Disgust toward politicians’ reckless, irresponsible policies that led toward the crisis triggered by government-sanctioned Fannie May and Freddie Mac mortgage practices.
• Anger also toward the greed of CEO’s, interest groups, and politicians who fatten their own pockets at the expense of hard working, Main Street Americans.

Our national anger expresses itself, in particular, against the President, the leaders of Congress, and politicians unwilling to assume any responsibility for the financial meltdown. There is a lot of blame to go around. And I’m afraid we have not seen the end of it yet.

I sense that our nation is drifting. Our elected government officials have lost their moorings in a sea of relativism, narcissism, and selfishness. Truth and absolutes are no longer self-evident; national cohesiveness and unity is undermined by a spirit of “me first.” And as citizens we are becoming more and more skeptical and cynical of government.

It’s no wonder, then, that our government officials have the lowest national approval ratings in decades. Our presidential candidates, too, struggle to capture our loyalties, our hearts and our votes. The presidential campaign is very tight—and for many of us very exhausting and tiresome.

How shall we, who live in a beautiful country, with tremendous opportunities and with the capacity to do much good in the world—how shall we view our government? How shall we, who claim to follow Christ Jesus—how shall we respond to our government officials in this time of financial stress, national anger, and great uncertainty?

The Scripture reading points us the way: As a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ I like to encourage us all to overcome our skepticism, cynicism and anger toward elected government officials by responding to them as servants in the hand of God. Yes, that’s what they are: government officials—presidents, kings and queens and politicians of all stripes—are servants in the hand of God. We must begin by viewing them and responding to them as such—servants of God.

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Unlike many of us today, the Bible has a high view of government. The apostle Paul expresses that high view of government when he writes: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” Did you notice that Paul’s high view of government begins with and rests in God’s sovereignty as Creator and Ruler over all? It is God who establishes governing authorities and who calls forth or ordains government officials. God’s sovereignty is fundamental to our response to any government. God holds the rulers and politicians of all nations accountable for their actions. God rules over them and us.

In the early days of the Christian church, government officials were hostile to Christians. When Peter, James and Paul would proclaim the gospel in Jerusalem, for example, they would get the “berries” from the Jewish Sanhedrin. Persecution was the norm. Yet, the apostles always recognized the Jewish authorities as accountable to God and under God’s sovereign rule. And when Paul feared for his life, being accused falsely by Jewish authorities, Paul did not hesitate to appeal to the Roman Emperor for justice. Paul viewed the authorities as servants of God—even if they themselves do not acknowledge or submit to God as sovereign.

Fear of life, loss of limbs, persecution and discrimination were common to the early Christian church. Yet, in this hostile government environment, the Spirit of God teaches us a fundamental precept: Government officials are servants in the hand of God.

Listen again to the text: (vs.1b, 3b,4) “The authorities that exist have been established (ordained) by God…Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Here’s a fascinating insight: A cruel dictator may not be aware of this, and an atheist king or queen may not care a whit about this—yet, it’s true: they are servants in the hand of God. They may think that they have the upper hand; they may think that they can get away with murder or injustice. But in the end, they are accountable to God. And God overrules their affairs. Kingdoms come and kingdoms go—but God’s rule remains forever.

In vs. 4 Paul uses the word diakonos to refer to government officials as servants. The word diakonos, in the context of the church, means servant as well. In fact, there is the office of deacon (diakonos) in the church. Deacons are servants of God; politicians of all stripes are servants of God. Deacons serve in the sphere of the church; politicians serve in the sphere of public life. All, however, are accountable to God.

In vs. 6 Paul refers to government authorities as servants as well. But here in vs. 6 he uses a distinctly religious term. The authorities are “God’s leitourgoi” that is, liturgists—servants in the service of God. This is fascinating: In Hebrews 1:7 we learn that angels are “liturgists.” They do God’s bidding. In Hebrews 8:2 we learn that the O.T. temple priests are “liturgists.” They are mandated to do God’s bidding.

In Romans 15:16 Paul tells us that the grace of God gave him “to be a minister (a liturgist) of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” In other words, Paul does the bidding of God as a liturgist or minister or servant of Christ.

And in Romans 12:1 we learn that all Christians are priests and priestesses, that is, we have a liturgy to do—a service to perform. Listen: “I urge you…in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (or literally translated: this is your reasonable liturgy or worship) (latreia) Whether we know it or not, whether we acknowledge it or not, God calls all people to do his bidding here on earth. Authority figures in the church as well as in public life—they all are servants in the hand of God.

This high view of government authorities should temper our skepticism and cynicism toward government today. It should give us pause to ask some critical questions, especially when frustration and anger toward governments rises from within us.

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Here are some basic things we need to do as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of daily turmoil and anxiety:

(1) As members of Christ’s body, the church, and as citizens of this world and nation we need to entrust our lives, our future, our destiny in the hand of God: Our political platform is first and foremost that our lives and future are in the hand of God. Presidents and politicians do not save us from evil or misery in life. They cannot guarantee our happiness or security. Our lives are in God’s hand. Him we trust, and to him we entrust our retirement, our families, children, employment and possessions. We shall live out of God’s hand.

(2) We must see government authorities as agents or instruments in God’s hand: Keep in mind that God gives them a fundamental task: namely, to do good (i.e. to act justly) on behalf of their subjects, and to bring punishment on the wrong doer. All governments have this fundamental calling from God—to act justly and to see to it that good prevails in the midst of evil.

If a government goes against this mandate, they may cause great harm, and persecution may be the result. And history can show us many tyrants and dictators who have done such things. God will hold them accountable. And God will also bring about his design and purposes for peoples and nations—even though government officials thwart God’s purposes and ignore his will and law for them.

The Spirit of God makes this very clear in Psalm 2: “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?” Answer: Because God is sovereign King. Even if all the rulers of the world should oppose God’s will for them, even then God simply laughs and scoffs at them: As the psalmist says: “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they say, ‘and throw off their fetters.’” In response, the psalmist says: “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, ‘I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” That King is Jesus Christ, our risen, ascended Lord over all. Government authorities are servants or agents in God’s sovereign hand.

(3) We shall show respect for and submit to the governing authorities: This is the clear teaching of Scriptures. We must uphold the laws of our nation that further the good of society; we pay our taxes to enable the authorities to protect its citizens, to function well in society with care for the elderly, the poor, the sick and disadvantaged; we shall support the authorities to maintain a just and orderly society. We shall maintain civil discourse and show the authorities the respect that God calls us to give them.

(4) As Christians, we need to participate in government matters and political affairs: The civil arena is an extremely important area to bring to bear God’s influence in our world and communities. In order to do good for society, and in order to promote justice in the land, Christians have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference. And yes, this means that we should exercise our vote, so that our voices are heard. Do not flee from, but participate in the political arena. There we can do much good.

(5) We need to speak into government affairs, and at times we need to speak out against government abuse or injustice; there will also be moments that we must act by trying to stop evil or unjust government practices. So, let there be constructive, wise, and caring voices from the Christian community, informing and instructing government officials of wholesome ways and practices to rule the nations.

So, let there be Christians who dare to speak out against discriminatory practices in public life; let us express courage when it appears that our elected authorities make decisions that undermine the common good of society. I’m thinking, for example, about the public debate (and some supreme court decisions) in our nation to redefine traditional marriage and to accord gay men and women the status of marriage. Measured, wise counsel is needed in the public arena. Let’s us who follow Christ not fail to give such counsel.

And yes, let us not be afraid to oppose evil practices, such as practices of infanticide and abortion on demands. Speak into the public sphere; speak out when authorities err in doing good and justice; and sometimes condemn or discourage evil attempts that harm the innocents, the weak, and those whose voices are not heard in society.

(6) Last but certainly not least, we need to be much in prayer for our government. I admit it: I find it easier to complain about a lawmaker, then to pray for him or her. Yet, that’s what God call us to do as well—to intercede in prayer for them.

So, let us try to overcome our skepticism, cynicism and anger in this time of financial chaos and stress. In national and world politics, let us never forget it: governments and elected officials are servants in the hand of God.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.