The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Elizabeth D. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - Civil Government
Civil: Relating to the community, or to the policy and government of the citizens and subjects of a state.
Government: Form of fundamental rules and principles by which a nation or state is governed.
Whether kings, presidents, governors or mayors, God has established authority. Romans 13:1-7 explains what one's attitude should be to authorities. Verse 1 clearly sets the tone for a Christian’s responsibility in respecting authority. "Everyone must submit himself to the government authorities for there is not authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." While many Christians don’t submit very easily, there is often much grumbling regarding authorities. Elections often bring about disrespectful speech. Christians must submit to authorities, whether we 'like' them or not. Submitting means obeying the law. Often when someone says they did something illegal that they consider insignificant, they are proud of it. Perhaps they slightly broke the law and got away with it. The only time we should be proud that we disobeyed the law is when it is against what God says. We should always obey the law for the Lord’s sake (1 Pet. 2:13 – "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake"). Obeying authority is obeying God, as God is the one who places authority. Prov 21:1 goes on to tell us, "the King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases."
Paying taxes is another way of obeying God through the authorities He gives, as Jesus says in Mat. 22:21. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" i.e. the money was made by Caesar and it is his. When considering all the authorities that govern us, we should reminded and gain comfort that God is supreme over everything. According to Daniel 2:21, "He changes times and seasons. He sets up Kings and disposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning."
One of the many things this Bible study has taught me and embedded more fully into my mind is that God is supreme over everything. From the household, to the state, to our nation’s government, He cares and watches over each and every one.
