WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE IN THIS COUNTRY?

The following lesson is a reprint from Pastor Aubrey Vaughan and is an excellent, full explanation of how Christians in the United States should view their relationship to government and elected officials. It is a great reminder that ultimately God is in charge, but we, not some kind of earthly ruler, are responsible to direct government in a way that honors God. The lesson is entitled “Romans 13”.

 

Understanding Romans 13

Romans 13:3 (KJV) 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:

Any individual person in American government is a Public Servant!

The Public is defined as the voters and taxpayers in America. Most understand the definition of servant. However, some seem to place the government officials of America in the position of Ruler rather than Servant.

It is interesting to note that the two positions, Ruler or Servant, seem to contradict each other until you read the scripture that explains the position of government leaders.

God’s Government on Earth was administered after the flood by Noah and the Patriarchs from the authority of Genesis 9:6.

Genesis 9:6 (KJV) Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

God destroyed the original World because mankind’s defiled and seared conscience could not produce a world for God fearing people to live safely. Mankind is not basically good.

After the flood God instituted Government force in order to honor life. Life is the basic value for any government. When government Rulers or Servants dishonor the value of human life it despises true government.

2 Peter 2:10 (KJV) But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

See “unlawful” deeds which deals with law or government 2 Peter 2:8

That government of force was vested in the Patriarchal family later, under the Mosaic Law, called the “Avenger of blood”.

The division of nations is described in Genesis 10

Genesis 10:32 (KJV) These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

The nations were directly under the headship and direction of a personal God directing the nations.

In Genesis 10 one particular nation seemed to emerge as a “super” power called Babel, which was later, called Babylon. This people formed a one world government and religion that rejected God. At first Nimrod (the horned one) was a mighty hunter before the Lord and later Babel leads an insurrection against the direct Hand of God’s law and government.

In Genesis 11 God divided the languages and nations for a reason. Historically open borders produce a one-world government that fails to produce a secure and peaceful nation.

In Genesis 14 humanistic Kings used force to push their values of tyranny on the other nations and/or City States.

Abram later called Abraham demonstrated God’s authority in Patriarchal government by arming his hired servants and delivering his family member Lot from unlawful kings and Tidal the King of nations.

Melchizedek apparently was Abraham’s Pastor and mentor concerning God’s theocratic style government for the Earth at the time. Melchizedek was the priest of the most High God and King of Salem.
Genesis 14:18 (KJV) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

By studying Genesis 10-15 it is clear a Babylonian style legal system was forming and later written down in humanistic codes in contrast to God’s City called Salem that was directed by a Theocracy. The tyranny of the five kings of nations and the immorality of Sodom reveal the rejection of God in contrast to the righteous government of Salem through Melchizedek.

By the time of Moses on Mt. Sinai God corrected man’s humanistic codes and attempt to govern himself without God by writing down with God’s own finger the only true Law for mankind on planet Earth.

Any nation that rejects God’s leadership and Law will produce tyrannical Rulers as the King of the world or “President of the World”.

Any nation that honors God’s law Word and leadership will produce limited “Rulers” that are servants. (Deuteronomy17: 1-13)

Through God’s law the Ruler is limited in authority (Deuteronomy 17:14-20) making him a Servant of God for the people.

Ruler and Servant!

Government leaders in America are Servants and given authority by the true Rulers the voter and taxpayer who receive their authority only from God’s Law Word.