Responsible Government

October 8

(Acts 19:36-41 NIV) "Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. {37} You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. {38} If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. {39} If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. {40} As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." {41} After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly."

(Romans 13:1-7 NIV) "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. {2} Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. {3} For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. {4} For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. {5} Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. {6} This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. {7} Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

(Matthew 22:21 NIV) "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

The God of Scripture is a God of order, not chaos. The mob mentality seen in Acts 19 and that we see on our news broadcasts, is not of God. Responsible government will favor order over chaos, but remain neutral regarding the establishment of religion. The city clerk in Ephesus reminded the mob that it was not the government’s business to judge one religion as better than another. Government’s role is to protect and maintain order. He told them that if laws had been broken, the offenders could be taken to court in an orderly fashion. But the government would not punish people just for having a different religion, nor would it allow any kind of rioting or mob action. Good government will not legislate or mandate religious beliefs. It will not bless a particular religion, nor will it display hostility toward religion. Instead it will protect and work for the good of all. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day