The Purpose of Government

Transcript:

Hello! This is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective!

Human government is to be essentially limited, for it is a delegated authority from a higher power. As the Apostle Paul put it in Romans “there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). God made it! So, it is legitimate only to the degree that it is functioning according to God’s designated purpose.

But that begs the question: for what purpose are these human authorities established? What must these delegated authorities do to maintain their legitimacy?

Well, the Apostle Peter tells us:
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13-14 NASB95)

Did you catch that? The essential and necessary work of human government is: 1) to squelch evil and 2) to support the good in human society. Again, it exists “for the punishment of evildoers, and the praise of those who do right”. Authorities and administrations function properly when they nurture an atmosphere in which a healthy society can flourish. To the degree that any human authority loses sight of this, to that degree it has lost its legitimacy.

Therefore, it is critical for Christians (and others of good will) to engage in the public square, in a manner that would promote both good order and good ends. We as individual citizens, families, and churches must not only hold our rulers to account for these purposes, but also strive to live for them ourselves.

Are you?

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”
~ 1 Peter 2:13-17 (NASB95)