God Vs Government
I do not believe that God would approve of any government that diminishes man and God and seeks to enslave mankind. Scripture tells us that God created man in God’s own image, free and having the freedom to choose between right or wrong. Men and women were not made to depend on government for survival. Mankind was told to be good Samaritans to help each other out of love, not taxes. God does desire relationship with His creation of mankind. He desires that men and women freely choose to:
- Love God with all their being.
- Love their neighbors as themselves.
- Believe in Jesus Christ as God’s only son who died for mankind while they were sinners, rose from the dead and now reigns with God the Father forever.
- Accept Jesus as being in charge of their lives as their lord and savior. As such, they are to hearken to God’s rules for living for their own protection and to honor God.
- Honor and worship Jesus as God the Father has given all glory to Him.
In sharp contrast, governments of Communism, Socialism and Fascism all seek to dominate and control mankind, thus giving honor to government. They seek to control what man is allowed to have and do. They desire to force men and women to obey and depend on government instead of the initiative and abilities that God gives to them. When man’s free will, initiative and power to shape his own life are removed, man loses hope, motivation and joy. Men and women become slaves, dependent on government and those in power instead of trusting in themselves and God. God is therefore diminished in their eyes. Depression often follows. This was not God’s plan for freedom, happiness, productivity and salvation. God would not approve!
The only thing that Jesus said about government is:
Mar 12:14 And coming, they said to Him, Teacher, we know that you are true and you care about no one. For you do not look to the face of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
Mar 12:15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But knowing their hypocrisy, He said to them, Why do you tempt Me? Bring me a denarius so that I may see.
Mar 12:16 And they brought it. And He said to them, Whose image and inscription is this? And they said to Him, Caesar’s.
Mar 12:17 And answering Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at Him.
This reply was to keep people out of trouble with the government as the law required. However, when we consider what God requires, given above, we find that God requires love where government only requires tribute. God desires much more in a relationship bonding with His creation. He also desires people to love those around them.
Further reflection on the verses above assure us that government will only be paid in earthly things. God, on the other hand, is also due a tithe of our earthly gain but is also due eternal rewards. He, who formed us and gave us a spirit life and guides us is to receive love, honor, glory and praise forevermore.
God knows that opposites cannot be compatible in working together. In Matthew 12:24-30 Jesus is accused of performing miracles by the power of Satan. He explained how God cannot work that way because good and evil disagree with each other. The same is true of any government that works against the principals of God. Another example of a plan in disharmony with God is found in early America. The South made a poor choice to use African slaves to work the plantations. God then allowed harsh discipline during the Civil War. Even now, America is reaping the results of past and present sins that continue dividing and defeating us as we are in decline. We lost our way and are now paying the price of learning correction that will ultimately turn many back to God’s plan.