Dear BPCWA worshipper, We live in a world that promotes ideologies that are very contrary to what God says. Indeed, one of God’s commandments that can be repugnant to the people in the world is that of submission. Slowly but surely, Satan is moving the world’s mentality away from obedience and submission. Such sentiments have an inevitable influence on Christians’ thinking too. Media, governments, and schools constantly promote the values of individual rights, democracy, and independence. It is not the intent of this pastoral to argue for or against these. However, the great concern is how the trend can spawn an anti-authority and rebellious mindset which Christians must guard themselves against. We saw in our recent sermons on 1 Samuel how David was sensitive to say “unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.” (1Sa 24:6). Few, if any, would even think that there was anything wrong with David cutting Saul’s skirt. Instead, they would justify his action and would have wanted to do more. The thinking can be “Why should I submit myself to someone when I am more righteous than him, better than him, and don’t agree with what he’s doing?” How should a Christian view submission?

Submission to governments. We truly live in a world where good leaders (by God’s standards) are scarce. Wars demonstrate the worst of human nature, affecting lives and the well-being of those affected. Everyone knows that politics is a hot-button topic that can evoke many strong opinions. We may think we have it worse than those who lived in biblical times. But it is certainly not so. Even in Israel, God’s chosen nation, which was supposed to be His testimony and light, there were notorious failures in her authority figures. God constantly sent His prophets to rebuke Israel’s leaders for abusing their position and power for filthy gain, to oppress the poor, pervert justice, and to subvert the innocent whom they were supposed to protect.  How should Christians respond? Two wrongs do not make one right. We studied in our fellowship sessions the Epistle of 1 Peter. Under the reign of Emperor Nero, Christians were under severe and inhumane persecution for their faith. With this backdrop, Peter continues to command Christians, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” (1Pe 2:13-14). The word “submit” is from the Greek hupotasso. It is a compound word from “under” (hupo) and “arrange in an orderly manner” (tasso). Together, submit means “to subject oneself, obey, to subordinate”. Such an expectation would seem counter-intuitive and counterculture to today’s philosophy. God expected the Christians to respect the office of rulers, “Fear God. Honour the king.” (1Pe 2:17). This was even though the rulers to be honoured were the ones causing all the trouble in their lives. This does not mean that Christians today cannot use their lawful vote in the democratic system, when available, to remove an unjust government. God does not justify the emperor’s actions, but explains, “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1Pe 2:15). The Christian, by their very response and life, is supposed to be different from the world. Our responses and obedience are how we are different from the world.

Submission to powers ordained by God. So, one may point out . . . doesn’t God say, “Fear God” (1Pe 2:17) before “honour the king”? Certainly, He does, and that must be our mindset. This is not to give the Christian wriggling room to do what they want, disobeying and dishonouring the government in matters not contrary to God’s law. God explains the reason for this in Romans 13:1-2, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” Again, the word “subject” in this passage is that of the Greek hupotasso. God continues to sovereignly govern the world through the appointed rulers in power, “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” (Ro 13:4). If we fear God, then we must also submit ourselves to the governments He has ordained. This is how He intends law and order in the land to be maintained. There will only be perfect justice in this world when Christ reigns. But throughout all of man’s history, God “removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding” (Dan 2:21). We can honour and obey because we believe and know that there is a Sovereign and Just God who continues to maintain and sustain this world behind what may seem so unfair in our eyes. 

God Himself declares that the governments of this world, though imperfect, reign and rule only by His permission (Da 2:21, Ro 13:1, Re 19:16). “God, the Supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good, and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil-doers” (Westminster Confession of Faith 23.1). “It is the duty of people to . . . to honor their persons . . . to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience’ sake. Infidelity or difference in religion doth not make void the magistrate’s just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to him” (WCF 23.4). Even if we disagree with how the government uses the funds collected through taxation, we are still commanded, “For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing” (Ro 13:6). However, the test of whether we obey the government out of obedience to God’s commands or because we don’t want to run foul of the law and be fined will be seen in how we obey this very same principle in areas more personal to us.  As a follow-up to the Family Seminar conducted yesterday, I will talk more about God’s government in an aspect closer to home in next week’s pastoral.

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor