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Basket of Figs

A vehicle for venting on philosophy, religion, and the general state of things. Proprietor: C. W. Powell

Monday, February 11, 2013

Definition of Legitimate Government

The Lord gives a definition of legitimate civil government:

Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the
evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is
good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 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.

When civil government becomes distructive to the ends appointed
by God, then they may be lawfully resisted, just as fathers, mothers,
pastors, and judges may be resisted because those who promote evil
and punish the good are ministers of the devil and not of God. They
are not to be honored any more than Haman. Esther 3:1-5

Pietists will purse their lips and say "tut, tut," but I have written the
truth.

Samesex marriage; abortion on demand, even for babies born;
ignoring the covenant of the government with the states and people,
violating the 3rd commandment; Disarming the people; forcing
Christians to deny their consciences; confiscation of property to
reward ignorant voters; Corruption of the educational system to
promote materialistic agnosticism in defiance of God; Fanning of
racial hatred; Refusal to protect citizens by opening the border to
criminals; Supplying weapons to drug lords; need I go on? What
would a government have to do to become wicked? and I don't
mean just one party.
Posted by Unknown at 12:01 PM

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Most likely this passage was written with Nero in mind. Hardly an admirable figure! I believe the teaching of this passage to be that we are to honor and obey the rulers appointed over us in everything except where they command disobedience to God. If the government tried to make us have forced abortions or start marrying homosexuals, then we should resist in those things specifically but continue to obey in everything else. For even the worst tyrants of history in many ways provided restraint against evil in the nations they ruled over by coninuing to punish at least most thieves, murderers, etc.

12:23 PM
Unknown said...

I wish you had give your name. My posts have my name on them and I take responsibility for them. But I allowed it because it represents the exact thinking that neutralized the church vis a vis Nazi Germany.

What if the state is the the murderer, the thief, and the covenant breaker in overthrowing the basic law of the land? There are a thousand years of theological struggle in the Christian West to deal with that dilemma.

I do not know what ruler the Holy Spirit had in mind, but this passage would hardly have gotten an "Amen" from Nero.

The United States is not Rome, not Israel, and we do not elect kings and emperors. We elect CEO's who have a contract to keep. They can be fired if they do not keep it. By force if necessary. If the faithless CEO refuses to leave his office when fired, we sill call the armed police to remove him.

The earthly source of our CEO'S authority is the vote of the people according to law, according to the constitution. If he denies that document, he has denied his own authority. It is lawless NOT to remove him.

Even a marriage can be legitimately dissolved if the fundamental contract is broken by adultery, according to Christ. So can a national contract.

Yes, we obey in all things of legitimate law and must, for God is a God of order. But we are not to be partakers of other men's sins, including the CEO.

8:00 AM

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