GOD AND COUNTRY (Romans 13: 1-7)
By: Pastor Greg Tupas, Jr.
Grace Bible (Baptist) Church International
614 Brimley Rd., Scarborough, ON, Canada
“LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
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:
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.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” (Romans 13:1-7).
CAN Christians be both good Christians and good citizens at the same time?
In Canada, we are facing issues like same sex marriage and abortion. We are still fortunate to freely exercise our faith and attend churches on Sundays. If the laws of the government run counter to the laws of men, what shall we do? “…We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5: 29)
Of course we are also to obey man so long as it doesn’t conflict with God’s laws.
1. God is sovereign – He established the government (Rom. 13:1)
2. We should be followers of the government even if we don’t agree with the government sometimes.
PURPOSE OF THE GOVERNMENT:
a) to govern or to rule (vv 3-4)
b) to restrain evil – (v.4)
The government has the right to punish you if you break the law. Democracy which is considered by many as the best kind of government has the capacity to become evil if the people in authority are evil.
Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in. Look around you. How many kinds of people or nationalities are represented here? Almost every country is represented here. This is a proof that many people around the world desire to live here.
II Chronicles. 7: 14 says: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will hear their land.”
This verse is addressed to believers. Let us examine ourselves of the wicked things we do and humbly ask God for forgiveness in prayers.
3. Pray for our leaders. Are you praying for our Prime Minister? For our provincial and city officials? They all need our prayers because they are the ones making decisions for our country. Pray for the salvation of their families. Ask God’s blessings for them.
The freedom that we are enjoying here is never free. It costs the lives of our heroes. Even the free salvation that we have costs the precious blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because He paid the price for you and me so that we can be citizens of Heaven.
Are you a citizen of heaven? Are you sure? Are you thankful of your salvation?
There are some things in life which we have no control over with or things which we cannot choose, like we cannot choose our parents nor the place of our birth, but we can choose to be citizens of Heaven.
