The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Paul P. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - Civil Government
Civil Government is probably one of the least appreciated and most strongly needed sources of earthly authority in place. Unfortunately, because humans aren't always the most logical creatures, our government isn't either. In America especially, people have made full time jobs out of making fools of our government (or at least the opposing party). Meanwhile, a lot of Christians look on at the battlefield before them and wonder what should be done. The level of submission necessary is also often in question. Thankfully, the bible is a clear indicator of what needs to be done with regard to civil government.
Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
In all things we are to give what we owe. The same goes for our government. However, we should take care not to give the government what we owe God. Many people in doing so make government into their god, and that is a dangerous thing to do. Nothing that replaces God will succeed.
And the high priest questioned them, saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."
God is the ultimate authority. Even in our submission there exists a hierarchy. For instance, if your boss tells you to do something against the law, you should refuse. The boss's authority does not supersede the authority of the government. Likewise, if commanded by the government to do something against God's law, we must refuse to do so, as civil governance does not supersede God's authority.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.
This verse explicitly states that God appoints governing authorities and that resisting them will result in judgment. The only exception to this is stated in the commentary preceding. God gave government the authority to enact justice. Only the criminals need truly fear the government. Those who are good often find favor with them and protection under them.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Ultimately, there is great freedom in what the Spirit produces in us, including legal freedom. Who can judge us for being faithful? Who can condemn us because we love?
