God’s Servant for Good (1)

For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Romans 7.22, 23

Asking questions of government
It’s never a good idea to take for granted that, simply because things are a particular way, that’s the way they always ought to be. The world would never know scientific breakthroughs, technological innovations, or bursts of creative genius if scientists, inventors, and artists were not always wondering “Why?” and looking for new and better ways to do or make or say things.

The same holds for government. Simply because we have always known a particular form of government, and because that form of government appears to have some fairly glaring limitations and liabilities, doesn’t mean that this is all we should ever expect from our government.

Especially in a nation where the government buck stops on the desk of “We the people”, we should always be ready to ask fundamental questions concerning the kind of government we seek, and to take up the quest to achieve that government by every available means.

Who needs that?
So, taking nothing for granted, let’s begin by asking the question, Why do we need government at all? After all, government as we know it today appears to many people to be inefficient, self-serving, clueless concerning certain fundamental rights and needs, populated with high-paid elites and their adoring bevies of aides and lackeys, and always ready for the next photo-op or political deal. Who needs that?

Unhappily, corruption, foolishness, waste, and inefficiency come with the governmental turf. We will never know a government that is everything we want it to be, and the reason for this is the same reason we need governments in the first place: Human beings are sinners.

At heart, we’re all basically self-seeking and ready to take advantage of others for our own benefit. In the depths of our souls we’d like to be free to say and do whatever we want; however, we’re not nearly as happy for that to be the privilege of everyone else.

Wherever you find human beings you will find crime, oppression, injustice, betrayal, and a host of other unpleasantnesses. Bless our hearts, it’s just the way we are.

And governments exist to restrain our sinfulness so that the “better side” of our humanity can, if not flourish, at least survive.

Curtailing sin
Human beings require some form of civil government, for often it takes the threat of punishment to curtail the human penchant for sinful behavior.

But where human beings are able to do so, if only to a limited extent, they can learn to work together for mutual benefit and in ways that enrich not only each individual but society as a whole. Human beings are not naturally good; however, because we are made in the image of God, there is a bent to goodness, or a longing for it, in each of us that can come to light when the conditions are right, reminding us that we are our brother’s keeper and that, if we must act in self-interest, then at the very least we must take care not to violate our neighbor’s freedom to enjoy his self-interest at the same time.

Governments are created to ensure a social order in which sin is bridled and space exists for goodness, freedom, prosperity, and neighbor-love to bloom.

We may not like the present form or shape of our government, but we must not suppose that we could get along better without it. Instead, accepting the absolute necessity of civil government, we must define the kind of government we seek. Then, as “We the people,” we must devote ourselves untiringly to the pursuit of that government, at every opportunity, and by every means.

For civil government is not only a human necessity, it is a divine ordinance. God intends civil governments to serve people for good, and Christians have an important role in helping make such government a reality.

Next steps: How does your church prepare its members to participate responsibly in the government of our nation?

T. M. Moore

We’re pleased to bring ReVision to you daily, and ReVision studies each week in PDF at no charge. Please visit our website, www.ailbe.org to learn about the many study topics available. Your gifts to The Fellowship of Ailbe make this ministry possible. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

This week’s study, God’s Servant for Good, is part 2 of a 5-part series on The King’s Heart, a Biblical view of government and politics, and is available as a free download by clicking here. We cannot understand God’s view of government, or how to function in a political environment apart from faith in King Jesus and His rule. Order T. M.’s book The Kingship of Jesus to supplement our studies of God and government..

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.