Government Legislation and the Bible.

We are living in a timewhen society in its evolution is making laws and morality that are distinctly opposed to God’s biblical morality and laws.  How should Christians react to these challenging, new, and unbiblical laws?

Dear Reader,

    You are certainly correct in saying that society in its evolution is making laws that are contrary to God’s biblical standards of morality for mankind!

    One thing we must admit of, my friend, is that God’s word has made it very plain that God is the one responsible for allowing governments to exist, and for removing governments, in spite of what we humans do to create or annihilate establishments.  Here is what the Bible says: (2 Chr 20:6 KJV) And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? 

    And here is another text: (Dan 4:32 KJV) And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.  clearly, from these texts we understand that God is completely in charge of all governments.  That means that all governments are ultimately responsible to Him, whether they believe it or not, whether they accept it or not. 

    Sooner or later these governments will have to stand before the Almighty God to give an account for their actions, whether they be communists who reject God, or Islamic governments who believe that they can support groups that slaughter and kill innocent men, women and children, or whether they be secular governments that promote practices in society that destroy society, or whether they be Christian governments that reject the God and His Word that brought them to birth.

    Then how do we as biblical Christians respond to the godless actions of our society?  First of all, remember that God will not hold us responsible for the actions of governments.  And secondly, we will only be held responsible for society’s actions if we participate in their actions.  Now this may bring us into conflict with our governments when we are made, by our governments’ laws, to choose between human authority and Divine authority.  This has often happened in many governments.  Governments feel that they have the right to tell us who to worship, when to worship, and how to worship on the pain of punishment, persecution, or death. 

    For such times, our Lord Jesus has given us the following counsel: (John 16:33 KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  And again, (Rev 2:10 KJV) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

    The Lord Jesus has promised to be with us in today’s godless society; He promised that although we may have to suffer in society for our Christian consciences, we should not fear for He is ultimately in charge and will eventually reward us with eternal life for our fidelity towards Him.  May God grant us the faith to endure the times we are living in.  God bless.

Pastor Ron is a retired Adventist pastor. Reach him at ron.hende@gmail.com. with your comments.