In Touch - July 4-5, 2009

July 4-5, 2009
A Christian Citizen’s Responsibilities 
Romans 13

If you catalogued every country of the world, you’d find many different styles and structures of government. But all, from dictatorships to democracies, have this in common: their leaders have been given their positions of power by the Lord (Dan. 2:21).

From a scriptural point of view, everyone with political authority is a servant of God for the good of that society. And while the Lord will hold them accountable for how they govern, His Word also details the Christian’s responsibilities as a citizen. 

First, believers should be law-abiding. God’s children are expected to obey whether the issue is paying taxes or driving according to the speed limit (Rom. 13:7; Matt. 22:21).

Second, the body of Christ is to pray for government officials. First Timothy 2 urges us to make “entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings . . . for kings and all who are in authority.” While one purpose is “that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity,” God also “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (vv. 1-4).

Third, we have a responsibility to use actions and words to bear a righteous influence upon our government. Notice that I did not say “dictate” or “dominate”; rather, we are to cooperate by working within the system to effect healthy change.

Jesus called His followers “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13), because salt changes the flavor of whatever it touches. The substance is also a healing agent as well as a preservative. God can bring health to a nation through citizens whose first priority is allegiance to the King of Kings. 

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org
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Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2009 All Rights Reserved.