The View the Statesman Holds of Government and Their Responsibilities.
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The starting point is there is a Designer who created the universe with a purpose.
All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. (John 1:3)
God, the Designer, actively reigns over His creation. God continually tells us: “I actively superintend My creation to achieve its intended purpose.”
…God is King of all the earth. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne. The nobles of the peoples have assembled with the people of the God of Abraham. For the leaders of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted. (Psalms 47:7-9)
The Designer has a plan that He actively superintends.
[God:] I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will. (Isaiah 46:10)
[God:] Have you not heard? I designed it long ago; I planned it in days gone by. I have now brought it to pass… (Isaiah 37:26)
The LORD of Hosts has sworn: As I have purposed, so it will be; as I have planned it, so it will happen…This is the plan prepared for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out against all the nations. The LORD of Hosts Himself has planned it; therefore, who can stand in its way? It is His hand that is outstretched, so who can turn it back? (Isaiah 14:24-27)
His plan is for well-being and a quality of life we have not yet fully achieved. [God:] My plan is to bring the best possible well-being for My creation.
For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
God tells us the quality of life He intends for every human in these words: “a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Jesus described it this way: “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)
[God:] “I have created the world for My own purposes and I will insure that they are implemented.”
I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like Me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will. I call a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about. I have planned it; I will also do it. (Isaiah 46:9-11)
His plans for well-being can only be achieved when we depend upon His guidance and His help.
The Role of Government. As a part of His plan, the Creator/Master Designer vested Government with great authority for the purpose of meeting needs of the people that are beyond their capacity to meet for themselves. He established this institution intending to use human beings, with their flaws, operating as His instruments in accomplishing the purposes for this institution. If there is any confusion that the authority of this institution comes from God, listen to Jesus’ exchange with the governing official with the authority over Him:
Pilate said to Him, “Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?” “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above.” (John 19:10-11)
Government is a God-ordained institution. God created and designed Government to play a critical role in promoting a healthy society. God has instructed us:
Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God… For government is God’s servant to you for good…. the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks. (Romans 13:1,4,6)
The application to our lives is this: If you had a subordinate who never communicated with you, how confident would you be that the subordinate was doing what you wanted? Likewise, we cannot hope to fulfill the expectations of our Master unless we are continually seeking His mind. God’s plans involve governing officials as His instruments in carrying out His plans. Those who operate in this institution, Government, are intended to do so as His hands and feet. They are to be His instruments operating under direction from Him. As Abraham Lincoln expressed:
In the very responsible position in which I happen to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as I am.
I hold myself in my present position and with the authority vested in me as an instrument of Providence.
The truth is that we are a servant of God and a servant of the people. We are a servant of God for the purpose of serving the people.
Hence, we must make sure we are listening to God, the Creator and active Overseer, as He communicates to us in His instruction book and through His Holy Spirit.