Heed The Word

The Christian's Responsibility to Government: Balancing Faith and Civic Duty

• Pastor Ken Davis

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Pastor Ken Davis unpacks the biblical foundation for Christian civic responsibility, revealing four motivations for obeying governing authorities while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God.

• Christians should submit to governing authorities as they have been established by God
• Four motivations for obeying laws: fear of punishment, conscience sake, love for others, and honoring the Savior
• Love fulfills both God's law and civil law by preventing harm to our neighbors
• When government commands contradict God's clear instructions, Christians must prioritize obedience to God
• Jesus teaches us to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's"
• While money bears Caesar's image, we bear God's image and must give ourselves fully to Him
• True Christian living involves balancing civic duties with our primary allegiance to God

For more information about Heed the Word, log on to heedtheword.org where you can request a free CD of today's message in its unedited form.


Speaker 1:

You're listening to Heed the Word with our pastor and teacher, Ken Davis. Pastor Ken is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel, Southwest Metro. Please join us as we study our series entitled Lessons in Christian Living.

Speaker 2:

We have all sinned, we have all fallen short of the glory of God. Even if all we do is look at Romans 13.1, we realize that we've fallen short. Because how many of us have always, in every situation, been subject to the governing authorities? Anybody. Is there anyone here who has never broken a single law? You ever played hooky from school? You're guilty because that's the law. You're to go to school, right? So we're all guilty one way or another of having violated the law of the land. And if we have violated the law of the land, then we have not been obedient to Romans 13.1, which says that we're to be subject to the governing authority.

Speaker 1:

There's no shortage of self-help books, motivational speakers and even opinions out there about how we're supposed to live on this earth, but as Christians, we need to take our direction in this area from the word of God. So we're bringing you our series entitled Lessons in Christian Living, taken from the 12th and 13th chapters of Paul's letter to the church in Rome. The scriptures teach us that we're to obey the governing authorities put over us, regardless of their affiliations, regardless of their opinions. They have been appointed by God and as long as the law of the land does not require us to violate the commandments of God, then we are to observe them as unto the Lord. Don't forget to stay with us after today's message to hear more information about Heed the Word, specifically how you can get a free copy of this message. But for now, let's join Pastor Ken in the book of 1 Peter, 2, verse 13, as he concludes our series entitled Lessons in Christian Living.

Speaker 2:

Now, our second motivation for being subject to the governing authorities is for conscience sake, not just out of fear, but out of a desire to do what is right. Romans 13, verses five through seven, speaks to this when Paul writes therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake, for because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render, therefore, to all their due taxes. To whom taxes are due? Customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. In other words, the government exists for your good. What does it say in the preamble to our constitution? We, the people, in order to form a more perfect union, to establish justice and to ensure domestic tranquility that means the peace of our lives here at home right To provide for the common defense, to promote the general welfare and to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity to ordain and establish this constitution of the United States of America. In other words, it's a social contract. We agree to abide by these laws for the good of all. So we are to be subject to the governing authorities because, ultimately, the governing authorities are to work for our good. But in the absence of authority, there's chaos. The Bible says that where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint. Or in the King James, where there is no vision, the people perish. You see, even Jesus paid his taxes. In Matthew 17, verses 24 through 27,.

Speaker 2:

We find this story. When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said does your teacher not pay the temple tax? He said yes, and when he had come into the house, jesus anticipated him saying what do you think, simon? From who do the kings of earth take customs or taxes? From their sons or from strangers? Peter said to him from strangers. Jesus said to him then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook and take the fish that comes up first, and when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money. Take that and give it to them, for me and you. And so we submit ourselves to the governing authorities and to those that are in authority for the sake of conscience. That means that, as Christians, we don't try to find the loophole, we don't try to find the way around it, so that we can obey the letter of the law, but not the spirit of the law, but we submit ourselves for conscience sake to those that are in authority over us.

Speaker 2:

The next motivation that we find is for the sake of love. Romans, chapter 13, verse 8,. Paul writes owe no one anything except to love one another. You know, love is the one debt you can never repay. Do you realize that you can pay back every other debt that you owe to another human being, but you can never completely pay back love, for love is without limit.

Speaker 2:

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law, and I might say not only the law of God, but the law of the land as well. Verse 9 says for the commandments you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not covet. And if there is any other commandment are all summed up in this saying, namely you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. So, as Christians, we should obey the laws of the land for love's sake, in other words, if we are truly loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, then we are by nature going to obey the law of the land, because that is the nature of love is to do no harm to another.

Speaker 2:

For instance, if I decide that I'm going to go out and get drunk and then drive home, am I acting in love towards everybody else on the freeway? No, I'm not. If I love all of those people that are out there, then I am not going to do that. So love becomes the motivating factor in my obedience to that law. If I love my neighbor, am I going to steal his lawnmower when he leaves it sitting out on his front porch? Am I going to say, well, the dummy shouldn't have left it on his front porch and I really need a lawnmower? No, because that is not love, is it? Love is going to go out of its way to do what's right.

Speaker 2:

How many of you have seen? It's a Wonderful Life, fantastic show, right? Wonderful movie. Love to watch that every holiday season? Well, there's the scene when Uncle Billy hands that newspaper to Mr Potter. Right and wrapped up in that newspaper is the $5,000 that was supposed to be deposited in the bank. Now, if Mr Potter loved his neighbor as he loved himself. What would he have done with that money? He'd have returned it to Billy, wouldn't he? To Uncle Billy? But what did he do? He kept it, not that he needed it, but because he wanted to see the ramifications in that person's life. He wanted to see the Bailey building and loan destroyed and he knew that by keeping that money back he could accomplish his purpose.

Speaker 2:

Because of the lack of love in his heart for his fellow man, he violated the laws of the land. I realize it's just a movie, but it's a good illustration. We are to obey the laws of the land out of love for one another. Love is the fulfillment of the law. In Mark, chapter 12, you'll find Jesus teaching the very same thing. For time's sake, we will not go there today. And fourthly, the motivating factor that we find in Romans is we are to obey the laws of the land. We are to be subject to the governing authorities for wrath's sake, for conscience' sake, for love's sake, but ultimately for the Savior's sake. Do you know what? We don't really know when Jesus is coming back specifically, do we? But the one thing we do know is it's closer today than it was yesterday. Amen. It is closer today than it was when you first believed.

Speaker 2:

Turn, if you will, to James, chapter 4, verse 1. James gives us some insight into social conflict, as it were. Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure, that war in your members? You lust and you do not have. You murder and covet and you cannot obtain. You fight and you lust and you do not have. You murder and covet and you cannot obtain. You fight and war, yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and you do not receive, because you ask amiss or the wrong way that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Speaker 2:

Adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the scripture says in vain the spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously, but he gives more grace. Therefore, he says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up.

Speaker 2:

You see, we need to be subject to the governing authorities for the Savior's sake. God does not want us to be prideful as though we were above the laws of the land, but he wants us to humble ourselves before him. And if we refuse to humble ourselves before the authority that God has established, then are we being humble before the Lord? You see, if I say to my children I want you guys to obey the babysitter today, there is someone who's coming who's gonna watch you guys and they're gonna take care of you guys until I return and I want you to do what they say.

Speaker 2:

If, after I leave, my children run amok, if they completely rebel and don't do anything, that that babysitter says, who are they really rebelling against? They're rebelling against me because I have delegated my authority to that babysitter. Now, if they met that babysitter out on the street one day and that babysitter said to them hey, come with me, are they under any obligation to obey that babysitter, absolutely not because that babysitter is operating under their own authority not under my authority, but in the realm of my home where that babysitter has been given authority. If under my authority, but in the realm of my home, where that babysitter has been given authority. If they rebel, they rebel not against that individual, but rather against the one who has instilled that individual with authority. So when we rebel against those authorities that God has set in place, we rebel not against the one in authority, but rather we rebel against God.

Speaker 2:

Now this brings up an interesting question what about situations in which those who are in authority are in disagreement with God, or when the exercise of their authority runs contrary to what God has said we are to do? For instance, let's say I have a gun in my home and I say to my children under no circumstances are you ever to go and get that gun out of that cabinet. And yet when the babysitter is there, the babysitter says hey, I see your dad's got a really nice rifle in there. Why don't you go get that and let me take a look at it? Well, the child is to obey the babysitter, but now the babysitter has told my child to do something that my child knows. I have forbidden them to do. So who is my child to obey? They are to obey the higher authority rather than the delegated one, and we find this teaching very clearly portrayed in scripture. So turn, if you will, to Acts, chapter 4.

Speaker 2:

In Acts, chapter 4, peter and John have been arrested and basically they've been arrested because they were preaching there in the temple in Solomon's portico, and they had healed this man who had been lame and he had gone dancing and leaping and shouting for joy into the temple and a crowd had gathered and Peter and John are basically saying look, we didn't do this, jesus, it was in the name of Jesus that this man was healed. And of course, that really upset the authorities and they arrested them. In Acts, chapter 4, verse 1, we pick up the story Now. As they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached Jesus in Jesus, the resurrection from the dead, and they laid hands on them and they put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed and the number of the men came to be about 5,000, who were now believers in Jesus Christ.

Speaker 2:

And verse five says that it came to pass on the next day that the rulers, the elders and the scribes, as well as Annas, the high priest, caiaphas, john and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem, and when they had set them, that is, peter and John, in the midst, they asked them by what power or by what name have you done this? Or, in other words, how is it that you healed this man? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them rulers of the people, so that's important. Who are they addressing? They're addressing the rulers of the people, right? Those who are in authority, the governing authorities, as it were. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if we this day are judged for a good deed done to this helpless man, by what means he has been made? Well, let it be known to you all and to all the people of Israel that, by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him, this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved. That's important. Peter is saying here listen, there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved other than the name of Jesus Christ, and that tells us something. If you understand what this means, you'll be glad that you took the time to understand it.

Speaker 2:

We have all sinned. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. Even if all we do is look at Romans 13, 1, we realize that we've fallen short, because how many of us have always, in every situation, been subject to the governing authorities? Anybody. Is there anyone here who has never broken a single law? You ever played hooky from school? You're guilty because that's the law. You're to go to school, right. So we're all guilty one way or another, of having violated the law of the land. And if we have violated the law of the land, then we have not been obedient to Romans 13.1, which says that we're to be subject to the governing authorities. So we all stand guilty and because of our guilt we deserve death because the wages of sin is death. But God loved us so much that he sent his son to die for us so that if we will repent of our sins and turn to Jesus Christ and confess him as our Lord and Savior, the Bible tells us we will be saved. There's no other name than the name of Jesus Christ by which men must be saved, and that's what Peter is teaching them right now. And if you haven't received Jesus Christ as your Lord and and that's what Peter is teaching them right now and if you haven't received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that's what Peter's teaching you right now too. And you can come to God in the name of Jesus this morning and you can be forgiven for your sins Now.

Speaker 2:

When those in leadership, when the Sanhedrin, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and they perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled and they realized that they had been with Jesus and, seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. In other words, they couldn't deny what had been done in this name, in the name of Jesus. But when they had commanded them to go outside of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying what shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them that, from now on, they speak to no man in this name. And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all, nor to teach in the name of Jesus. Now, this is in direct contradiction to what God had already told them they were to do, isn't it? So now they're in a position that they have to make a decision whether to obey God or to obey those who are in authority.

Speaker 2:

When we come into a place where the governing authorities are in conflict with the revealed will of God in his word, we have no choice as Christians but to obey God, even if it means we have to disobey those who are in authority over us. Now I will say that that happens far less often than most people would like to think. We can be obedient to those in authority over us most of the time, but there are days, and there are times coming, when that may not be the case. For instance, in Canada, the government has decreed that there are certain passages of scripture that you cannot preach without persecution, particularly those relating to homosexuality. They consider it hate speech. And mark my words the day is coming when we may see that same type of attitude here in the United States. And when that day comes, who are we to obey? God or those in authority in the government? Well, clearly we're to obey God. That having been said, we do owe a debt of submission to those in authority over us, insomuch as they do not contradict the revealed will of God in his word. That balance is vitally important, and it's that balance that I want us to take a look at as we turn to our last passage today in Mark, chapter 12.

Speaker 2:

In Mark, chapter 12, starting in verse 13, we see an exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees. And the Pharisees, these leaders among the Jews, these very religious people, are trying to trap Jesus. They're trying to ask him a question that has no right answer, because if he answers it one way, he's rebelling against the government, and if he answers it the other way, the people are going to hate him. And so they're trying to trap Jesus. When they ask this question In verse 13, we find that they sent to him. That is, they sent to Jesus some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to catch him in his words. When they had come, they said to him teacher, we know that you're impartial, we know that you're not just trying to give an answer that's going to please somebody. We want to know what you think about this, because we know you're going to tell us the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Shall we pay or shall we not pay? So, in other words, they're saying, hey, should we pay our taxes? Now, if he says, yes, you should pay your taxes, the people are gonna hate him, and that's what they're trying to accomplish. They're trying to get him into a situation where the people will turn on him because the people hate Rome. The people hate paying taxes.

Speaker 2:

How many of you like paying taxes? Anybody, Well. Do you like driving on well-paved roads? How many of you liked driving on well-paved roads? Okay? How many of you like the fact that there is a public school system where people can go and get an education for free? You may not always agree with what's taught, but how do you like the fact that it's at least available, right? Okay? How many of you like the fact that when you dial 911, someone answers? How many of you like the fact that if there's a criminal trying to break into your house, that you can call the police and that someone will actually come out and protect you? Anybody like that? Someone will actually come out and protect you. Anybody like that? How many of you realize that those are all a result of paying taxes? If we didn't pay taxes, we wouldn't have any of those things.

Speaker 2:

Now I would agree I don't like paying taxes either, right, but we have to confess that there's a purpose for it, isn't there? You know, there used to be a saying well, I'm a good tax-paying citizen. Right, part of being a good citizen is paying your fair share for the common good. Now, the problem is is we have a government that likes to spend a lot more than most of us think is absolutely necessary, and they like to spend it sometimes on things that we completely disagree with from both a economic and a moral perspective, and so that's where we run into trouble, and that's why we need to exercise our rights as good citizens to go in and vote the people in office that we think ought to be there, right? That's our obligation, it's our responsibility as good citizens.

Speaker 2:

So they've asked Jesus this question. And if Jesus says to them, yes, you should pay your taxes, the people are going to be mad. Well, what if he says, no, you don't have to pay your taxes? The people will be very happy about that. But then they'll have grounds to accuse him before the Roman rulers because he's inciting the people to disobey the law. So either way, yes or no, he's in trouble. And they ask him in verse 15, shall we pay or shall we not pay?

Speaker 2:

But he, knowing their hypocrisy in other words, he's knowing that they're acting, they're not really wanting an answer, they're just trying to trap him he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them why do you test me? Bring me a denarius that I may see it. In other words, bring me a coin. So they brought it. And you know we might do the same thing here. Let me just do this. I'll pull out a dollar bill here. There's a old, wrinkly dollar bill. It's not quite the hundred I pulled out last time. Whose picture is on this hundred dollar bill? Washington's picture, right.

Speaker 2:

So render unto Washington that which is Washington's, but render unto God that which is God's right. Isn't that what Jesus is about to tell them. He says give me a coin, give me a denarius, give me a coin. And so they bring him a coin. And what does he say? Whose image and inscription is this? And they said to him Caesar's. Then Jesus answered and said to them render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. So what does that mean for us? Washington's image is on this dollar bill, right? So render to Washington the things that are Washington's, but God's image is on you. So render unto God the things that are God's. So, in other words, what Jesus is saying is who cares about the money? It has to do with you. God doesn't care whether you pay this dollar to him or to Caesar.

Speaker 2:

Give to Caesar what is Caesar's right. If there's a tax due, pay the tax. If there's customs due, owe the custom, pay it, pay the tribute. Do what you're supposed to Caesar. Give to Caesar what is Caesar's right. If there's a tax due, pay the tax. If there's customs due, owe the custom, pay it, pay the tribute. Do what you're supposed to do. Obey the law. But in your obeying of the law, remember that you belong to God. You see, render unto Caesar those things that are Caesar's. Render unto Washington that which is Washington's, but render unto God that which is God. So God created man in his own image. In the image of God, he created him male and female. He created them. You were made in the image of God and ultimately, guys, god doesn't want your money, god wants you, god wants you. Will you give God his due this morning? Will you give yourself to him? That is the question that I'll leave you with.

Speaker 1:

Well, that's all the time we have for today. You've been listening to Heed the Word, the radio ministry of Calvary Chapel, Southwest Metro, located in Burleson, Texas. With so many ideas out there about the Christian life, we thought it necessary to share with you a series entitled Lessons for Christian Living, a teaching through the 12th and 13th chapters of the Book of Romans that tackles the issues of Christian life. If you were with us at the beginning of today's broadcast, you know we mentioned that we'd be giving additional information about Heed the Word and how to get a free copy of this message. For more information about Heed the Word, log on to heedthewordorg. That's heedthewordorg. At the website, you'll find everything you need our contact information and a link to our online order form, which will allow you to place an order for a CD of today's message in its unedited form. Since all of our materials are free of charge, supplies are limited, so log on to heedthewordorg and place your order today.

Speaker 1:

As we close today, we want to encourage you to not just listen to Heed the Word, but to truly apply what you're learning. Take the Word of God and begin applying it to your life every day. Well, that's all the time we have for this edition of Heed the Word with Pastor Ken Davis. Well, that's all the time we have for this edition of Heed the Word with Pastor Ken Davis. Place a marker in your Bibles and join us next time as Pastor Ken continues with our series entitled Lessons for Christian Living. Thank you.