Romans 13:1-2 says: "Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow."
In America, God instituted a government of the people, for the people, by the people, carried out through agreements enforced as law.
Those who stand against the people and their agreements are warring against God.
above poster is actually wrong. God does not appoint all governments, only some governments. the issue is that it is very difficult to determine which is which, from the average joe's perpective.
the phrase "render unto ceasar that which is ceasar's, and unto God that which is God's" is the perfect example of this. it recognizes that the state (represented here by "caesar") is a separate and distinct entity from God.
The way to intrepret this is simple: God's law is above the laws of man. Follow the laws of the country you live in, unless they contradict God's laws, at which point you should follow God's laws. easy.
if unsure, which happens alot, actually, its perfectly acceptable to follow the laws of Man (render unto Caesar) until you gain insight into any knowledge that they contradict the laws of God (render unto God).
let me summarize:
assume the earthly governments are legitimate until proven otherwise.
He raises obstacles to display His might by crushing them under heel.
Romans 13:1-2 says: "Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow."
In America, God instituted a government of the people, for the people, by the people, carried out through agreements enforced as law.
Those who stand against the people and their agreements are warring against God.
and what of communist governments?
Curious to see the responses!
above poster is actually wrong. God does not appoint all governments, only some governments. the issue is that it is very difficult to determine which is which, from the average joe's perpective.
the phrase "render unto ceasar that which is ceasar's, and unto God that which is God's" is the perfect example of this. it recognizes that the state (represented here by "caesar") is a separate and distinct entity from God.
The way to intrepret this is simple: God's law is above the laws of man. Follow the laws of the country you live in, unless they contradict God's laws, at which point you should follow God's laws. easy.
if unsure, which happens alot, actually, its perfectly acceptable to follow the laws of Man (render unto Caesar) until you gain insight into any knowledge that they contradict the laws of God (render unto God).
let me summarize:
assume the earthly governments are legitimate until proven otherwise.