The Christian’s Behavior Under Ungodly Government

Feature 1 – March 2020 — Grace & Truth Magazine

The Christian’s Behavior Under Ungodly Government

This topic implies challenges for all Christians. Until the Lord Jesus sets up His public reign of peace on earth over this whole world, every government is ungodly in some sense. This is because their governments are under the Prince of this World, also called “the god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4 NKJV ; see Eph. 2:2). We recognize this especially when governments persecute Christians and/or Jews. Yet, many Christians in the Western world believe they should vote for a political party of their choice or even run for office. Some express frustration about their government or voice opposition to certain leaders, whereas others promote them.

Here is an example of the complexity of this topic. A few years ago a scientist from a country with a very large population attended a conference in the West. He said something like this: “In my country we can freely oppose Darwin1 and evolutionism, but we cannot speak out against the government. In your country, however, one can freely speak against the government, but none dares to challenge Darwinism, because this would cause negative publicity and risk the losing of one’s job, funding for a project, or other similar things.” We also find in this world that a government may defend Christian values, at least in name, and nevertheless contradict what the Bible says.

In these pages, however, we focus on how a Christian should behave when the government of his country opposes Christianity and rejects the authority of the Bible, God’s Word.

Some History
After Noah’s flood, God instituted human government and gave rules for the benefit of humanity. These included certain dietary laws and the death penalty for murder, based on respect for God and His creation (Gen. 9:1-7). These rules are still valid and will be implemented under our Lord’s coming reign. In fact, four basic rules, part of what are sometimes called Noahic laws2 (consider Acts 15:29), will be maintained in His realm (Ps. 2, 8, 72). However, Noah, the new ruler after the flood, was not able to govern himself because of a lack of self-control (Gen. 9:21), and people were unable or unwilling to carry out God’s instructions (Eccl. 7:29).

In His discussions with the Jewish leaders of His day, the Lord Jesus confirmed the government’s God-given authority,3 while maintaining God’s own authority (Mt. 22:21). Shortly after, standing before Pontius Pilate, the Lord Jesus plainly stated that the power the Roman governor had was given him “from above” (Jn. 19:11). Later, the apostle Paul wrote that all governmental authority has been established by God, for which reason all people believers and unbelievers should be subject to the ruling powers. This includes paying taxes (Rom. 13:6).

The same passage also says, “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” (vv.1-2 ESV). These instructions were written when Caesar Nero reigned (54–68 AD). This emperor started humanely but gradually changed into a ruthless dictator. He ordered several persecutions and the execution of many Christians, often carried out with great cruelty. Under the reign of Nero, the apostle Peter was executed. Peter was not a Roman citizen, and according to some reports, was crucified upside-down, as he requested. About a year later, Paul, a Roman citizen, was beheaded by the sword.

Yet, the only time not to obey the authorities God has placed over us is when they require something that is clearly against God’s own rule (Acts 4:19, 5:29). This one exception confirms the general rule of submission to the government. Even in such an extraordinary situation when we cannot obey we still need to respect the authorities, just as Daniel’s friends did when King Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to worship the statue he had erected (Dan. 3). As another example, Daniel disregarded King Darius’ decree not to pray to God (Dan. 6).

God’s Instructions Are Clear: Submission!
Both Peter and Paul were led by God’s Spirit to teach believers to submit to human governments. “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Pet. 2:13-17). The Christian’s submission is summed up as: “This is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully” (v.19 NKJV).

The power of the sword belongs to the government, to be the avenger of evil as God’s servant (Rom. 13:4). We should never take vengeance into our own hands, because it belongs only to the Lord, who has given it to governments. We are living in the age of grace, in which we need to follow our Lord’s example as He asked His Father to forgive those who mistreated Him (Lk. 23:34). Being subject to the authorities God has allowed over us is the right attitude and is necessary to keep a good conscience.

I remember people who opposed the German occupation of Holland during the Second World War. This was understandable. However, instead of submitting to and praying for the authorities God allowed, as Daniel and his friends did, some went into organized resistance. That was not doing good (Rom. 13:3) but evil, causing one to be afraid (v.4) and to lose a good conscience (v.5). Not paying taxes (v.6) would be another reason for not having a good conscience. Paul added to this the obligation of paying honor and respect to whom this is owed (v.7), besides some examples of conduct expected of faithful believers (vv.8-10).

We Learn From Past, Present And Future Examples
After the flood, all of Noah’s descendants fell into idolatry, from which God called Abram, who subsequently became the father of all believers (4:16). He left a culture of idol worshipers (Josh. 24:2-3), part of his family and country, to go and live in the land God had promised to him (Heb. 11:8). When he arrived there he was surrounded by the ungodly Canaanites, but he respected them, and they respected him who lived as a pilgrim among them.

However, when a severe famine occurred, Abram decided to go to Egypt instead of asking the Lord what to do. Eventually, he became guilty of lying because he was afraid of the ungodly government there. He finally was brought back to his senses and went back to where he had served the Lord before, as a true pilgrim worshiper (Gen. 12:10-19). In that place he likely had to live among people and under governments worse than those in Egypt or Mesopotamia.

The lessons Abram had to learn we need to learn as well. In our day many Christians suffer persecution under ungodly rulers, for the number of believers killed for their faith exceeds that of former times. Countless Jewish people also have suffered such opposition and persecution, about which numerous books have been written.

David served the government of King Saul, his father-in-law who severely persecuted him. We can learn several lessons from David, whom God taught by many dangers and difficulties. We learn of David’s wisdom and faithfulness, but also of his failures – when he put his trust in himself instead of the LORD. Similarly, soon after the rapture of the Church there will be believers in Israel who will face tremendous opposition and persecution by a government that will pretend to serve God (2 Th. 2:3-12; Rev. 13).

Many have become familiar with the example of Corrie Ten Boom (1892–1983), who suffered tremendously during World War II. She and her family were thrown into a concentration camp because her family had hidden Jewish people to protect them from the Nazis. They had been betrayed by a neighbor. Of the family, only Corrie survived, and then she had to face her former neighbor and forgive him as the Lord has instructed in His Word (Mt. 18:21-35). This tragic experience led her to show Christians their need to forgive others.

Numerous people are also familiar with the work of Richard Wurmbrand (1909–2001), who suffered terribly, with indescribable miseries, under the communist government of Romania. Yet after his release, living in another part of the world, he was able to minister to the people of his former home country. His ministry grew rapidly as it reached out to believers and unbelievers in the communist world. Later, the same ministry developed a branch to reach out to many other countries with governments that allow Christians and Jews to be oppressed and harassed.

Some Instructions For Christians Facing Persecution
How should a Christian behave under an ungodly government? First, let’s be aware that in the so-called “free world” much persecution exists because many of those in authority reject biblical values. Humanistic thinking has taken over in the name of liberty and human rights, setting aside any notion of God and His rights. Besides that, there are many countries all over the world where the government allows, or even promotes, the persecution of Christians.

We can learn a lot from the apostle Paul and those who worked with him. When the Lord called him, He showed Saul/Paul how much he would suffer for His name (Acts 9:16, 22:1-22) because of the special commission He had given him (26:16-23). Paul became the prime target of the enemy’s attacks, but the Lord allowed this to happen for Paul’s and the believers’ good, although for different reasons (2 Cor. 1:4-11). Today we are privileged to be disciples of the same heavenly Master, and if we are faithful we will also face opposition, for we represent His kingdom in and to this world which still rejects Him (1 Th. 2:12-14). That is why Paul linked the present suffering and persecution for the Lord’s interests with the coming reward in glory (2 Th. 1:4-10).

Paul urged Christians to pray for all people and for the authorities under which they are placed, with “supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings” (1 Tim. 2:1-2 ESV). This is because Christians relate to the “house of prayer” (Mt. 21:13) that belongs to our Savior-God, who “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Furthermore, all true believers are in the house of the living God and therefore are a testimony in and to this world, even when living under an anti-God government and facing Satanic opposition (4:1-3). In this context it is important to look at the instructions Paul wrote to his co-worker Timothy: be a man of God to represent Him in an environment of opposition, and flee from the desire to be rich (see 6:9-11).

Timothy as well as each committed Christian today should flee worldly desires and pursue righteousness, to honor and promote God’s rights in a world that rejects Him. All Christians encounter opposition in one way or another, and we all need to commit entirely to God’s interests and do so properly, with godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness (v.11). “I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vv.13-14). This implies to fight the good fight of faith.

Paul encouraged all of us who are believers to act and walk as is fitting to true Christians. We are not to be arrogant, proud or self-sufficient. Instead, we are to trust in God, do good works, look forward to what lies ahead (vv.17-19) – namely eternal life4 (v.12) – and expect the appearing in glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (v.15). Thus we can survive in an environment that is against God, while constantly watching ourselves in true self-judgment (v.20).

The Ultimate Fire Test
Probably a few years after he wrote these instructions, Paul was arrested because of false accusations against him. He was transported to Rome where he was eventually thrown into a prison dungeon, facing terrible conditions. This is sometimes called his second Roman imprisonment (see 2 Timothy).

Previously, the Roman authorities had shown some kindness toward the apostle as they realized he was not a criminal; but now they considered him as such. Yet Paul did not despair, as he wrote in his second letter to Timothy, his son in the faith. The letter was like a spiritual testament. Paul put his trust in God (1:7), and he encouraged Timothy to do so as well (vv.8-14). The apostle did not write against the authorities, who made his life difficult. Instead, in his awful circumstances Paul kept putting his trust in the Lord – an encouragement and example for all believers. The apostle also instructed Timothy as to how to behave in this world of opposition, where both served the Lord. These clear instructions are also for us today (2 Tim. 2–3).

Toward the end of his short letter Paul showed Timothy how to continue and serve the Lord while in an environment and under a government opposed to God. For Paul, close friends separated from him (4:10), and opposition continued relentlessly. However, the Lord did not forsake him; He stood by Paul (v.17). This is a great comfort for all Christians, especially for those who physically suffer for the name of the Lord.

Paul did not give up. He continued with what he needed to do, having support and protection from God, even though he was in a dungeon and in great need. The apostle realized that the Lord is always in control. He was at his side and provided for him, and He even rescued him from the attacks of the enemy. At the same time Paul kept trusting the Lord for continued help (vv.17-18).

Peter’s Final Instructions
As mentioned earlier, Peter was also living in Nero’s days, when tremendous persecutions raged in several parts of the Roman Empire. The special targets were Jews – particularly the believing ones (see 1 Pet. 1:1-9). The Lord directed Peter to write and encourage them (vv.15-25), saying they should continue to follow Christ as their Model and Leader (2:20-25). The key for doing so is to sanctify Christ as Lord in the heart (see 3:15), which means giving Him His rightful place as Lord in the center of one’s life. By doing so, He is in control of all that is thought, done or said.

Accused by opponents or the government, Christians need to make sure they have good consciences and their actions confirm they walk with the Lord, even if this means suffering (vv.16-17). Here Peter brought in our Lord Jesus Christ, encouraging us to fix our eyes and hearts on Him when we suffer for doing good. We need to understand that through baptism we identify in faith with our Lord who is rejected by this world. He is risen from among the dead and sits now at God’s right hand.

Since we live in a world that still rejects Him, may we all have good consciences as we identify with Him who was rejected by His earthly people and their leaders. He was innocent but was crucified under the Roman government.

After celebrating the Passover lamb, Israel left Egypt and was led through the Red Sea under Moses’ leadership. There, beneath God’s glory cloud, they were baptized to Moses (1 Cor. 10:2). That is why Peter spoke about a good conscience of those believers who publicly identify with the despised Jesus of Nazareth and follow Him (1 Pet. 3:15-18). This is how we can have a good conscience in this world, even though we may have to live under an ungodly government.

ENDNOTES
1. Charles Darwin (1809–1882) proposed a theory that all species evolved through natural selection from non-life. This ungodly ideology has been widely accepted by the world.
2. These rules imply that sacrifices to idols were forbidden, which often included a meal and prostitution. Abstaining from blood or food from strangled animals was prescribed for respect of God, of fellow human beings, and of animals created by God. Today we may eat all kinds of food – animal or plant (Mk. 7:1-16; 1 Tim. 4:1-6) – under the condition that all is done in fellowship with Him and for His glory.
3. Most of the Jewish leaders did not like His views since they did not accept the Roman occupation God had allowed because of their disobedience. The Herodians cooperated with the Romans, not necessarily with biblical conviction but for their own interest. Our Lord simply confirmed that one needs to be subject to the authorities God has allowed.
4.The moment one believes he/she receives eternal life (Jn. 3:16). Paul refers to the realm where we are going, where Eternal Life dwells.

By Alfred Bouter

What happened to Israel has a typical meaning for us. God delivered them out of Egypt, the cloud covered them and the sea divided, for their salvation and for judgment on the Egyptians. The Lord had made them free to serve Him, for they believed the Lord and His servant Moses (Ex. 14:31). In this sense they were baptized, or set apart, unto Moses as his disciples. The Lord in infinite love provided for them by giving them food and water; both are typical of Christ. All ate and drank of the miraculous supply. But what happened? “With many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Cor. 10:5 KJV). They desired evil things: some became idol worshipers; some fornicators; some tempted the Lord by trying His patience and murmuring. Judgment followed. In one day 23,000 fell, and others were destroyed by serpents or perished by the destroyer. This was written to warn all believers. It shows how those who enjoy divine privileges and lay claim to the title of being God’s people but do not live in separation, do not please God. They who are in the flesh cannot please God. We have no right to say, “Well, but we are true Christians, and therefore we need not be concerned about these things.” However, these are things which as principles are of the greatest importance for us to realize! —Arno C. Gaebelein (edited)