3RD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER (1)
Text: 1 Peter 2:11-20
Source from Back to Luther with German archive reference. Back to Walther's Epistle Sermons.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.
Dear Friends in Christ Jesus!
Man's most important worldly possession is his span of life. In Holy Scripture our life is compared to a flower, which blooms for a short time, withers quickly away, and falls off; to a cloud which grows in a moment and in the next is dispersed; to fog which lasts a short time and afterwards disappears; to slush which the sun boon melts; to a river which flows on unchecked never to return, to an empty dream, to a shadow, to nothing. But in such descriptions the Bible speaks only of how life itself would be if nothing would follow it.
If we ponder upon what depends on our short, fleeting life, we see its importance. Scripture says that in the world to come every person will receive as he has done in this life, be it good or evil. As a good or poor tree is in the seed, so either an eternally happy or unhappy life lies hidden in our earthly life. The time which we spend here is a time of sowing from which we will reap the fruit of eternal joy or pain. Whether God has created us in vain or whether we reach eternal life, whether after our death we will be inexpressibly happy and glorious in God's presence or whether, eternally separated from God, we will be inexpressibly sorrowful and miserable, depends on the few days which we spend on this world.
Alas, what horrible satanic blindness it is when most people despise this life, joking, gambling, and dreaming it away. Not until death, but alas then usually without comfort, hope, and too late, most ask: What will happen to my soul? whither shall I go now? what will be my fate? Alas, when many a person has passed into eternity, where one can never repent, be converted, and find grace, he will wish: Oh, if only I could relive one day of my life! How faith fully I would use this respite! The door of grace would never be opened in vain!
My friends, we are still living in the important time of life; the narrow door is still open; in this fleeting life we can still win an immortal, blessed life. Oh that we were all wise and would Seek the Lord, while he can be found, that we would call upon him, while he is still near! Holy Writ encourages us in different ways to do that. One such admonition is our today's Epistle; it admonishes us not to live in the world as those whose homeland is here but as strangers and pilgrims, who are traveling heavenward. Let us therefore with willing heart listen to this apostolic encouragement; but first of all let us call upon God in silent prayer.
Quote the text here: 1 Peter 2, 11-20.
This Epistle contains Peter's admonition to those Christians living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. The apostle bases the entire admonition on the fact that Christians must consider themselves strangers and pilgrims in this world; he says: " Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain_ from fleshly lusts, Which war against the soul." V. 11. on the basis of these words let us now hear:
WHAT THE CONVICTION THAT THEY ARE PILGRIMS ON THIS WORLD
SHOULD MOVE CHRISTIANS TO DO According to the testimony of the apostle, it admonishes them
1. To Deny All Fleshly Lusts,
2. To Act in All Situations as Strangers and Guests, and finally,
3. To Carry the Hardships of Their Pilgrimage Willingly.
Oh Lord God, heavenly Father, you know that by nature our hearts are chained to this world; how easily we forget that our rest, our home, is not here; have mercy on us and with your Holy Spirit work in us through your Word, so that we die to the world, seeking alone that which is above. To this end bless now the preaching of your Word in us all for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
I.
My friends, infinitely much depends on how a person views his life on earth. The more the person errs in his attitude toward his earthly existence, the more he misses the purpose for which God has made the world his dwelling place; and the more the man recognizes what his life in this world actually is, the better will he attain that goal for which God has placed us here.
In what light do most people view their stay in this world? They think that they should remain here forever; or, that God has created them to live only here, to enjoy the beauty, joys,and pleasures of this life as much and as long as possible, and then at death repay their entire debt. The sad results are that most forget completely about eternity and the salvation of their immortal soul, or think of it but seldom; most never earnestly ask: What must I do to be saved? That is why so many think that they need no Bible, nor divine Revelation, nor a guide to the heavenly homeland, nor a Savior. That is why most think only of how they can become rich in earthly goods, how they can be highly honored, and thus be able to live as contentedly and happily as possible. That is why most never ask about God's holy will nor consult the voice of their conscience; as long as they can truly enjoy life they indulge in every fleshly l u st.
So you see that the wrong view will mean your eternal ruin. The true view, on the other hand, will save you. The apostle reminds Christians of that in our text when he says: " Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." V. 11. The Christian should recognize, that here he is a stranger, a pilgrim; his whole life is a journey; if he really recognizes this, he will be admonished to abstain religiously from all fleshly lusts which war against the salvation of his dearly bought soul.
And so it is. Will he who is on a journey reach his destination at the designated day, if he forgets about his home, buys a home elsewhere, and lives there in joy? if he does not pass by the orchards, vineyards, and places of amusement which he comes to while on the way, but is the whole day enticed, amused, intoxicated, and then securely and carelessly lets the dark of night surprise him? If one is to arrive at his destination on time, he must keep right on going, let nothing stop him, satisfy only hunger and thirst, take only what rest is necessary, and then resolutely continue his journey.
If a Christian therefore recognizes that his life is a journey to a blessed eternity, this conviction demands most urgently that he abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. If the Christian's flesh wants to mislead him, if his heart wants to cling to earthly things, to money and goods, house and home, honor and foolish finery, and seek in these things his rest, his peace, and his happiness; and if he remembers that on this world he is merely on a journey, the thought: "Here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come," will quickly awaken him. Heb 13,14. If the Christian's flesh wants to mislead him to seek good days and fleshly enjoyment in this world, he reminds him self of the fact that here he is on a journey; he is alarmed at himself, quickly tears the bonds with which his soul wants to be bound and detained, and thinks: I can not sleep and rest here on a soft pillow; I have not yet reached my destination; come on! Perhaps daytime will soon end, and the night will come when no one can work, when no one can start and complete the journey to his heavenly destination.
Oh, you who forget that you are on a journey, who do not let your heart and way be continually directed toward eternity, who follow your flesh and unmindful of your heavenly home seek your eternal refuge here, how horribly you will some day see yourselves deceived in regard to the eternal salvation of your souls! you, who give yourselves to the vanities of the world and think that if you did not live in manifest sins, shame, and vice you would certainly enter heaven; too late will you feel remorse! Some day you will see that all those whose life is not continually directed to the eternal homeland do not reach the heavenly Jerusalem.
II.
But we continue and secondly hear, that the Christian's conviction that they are only pilgrims on this world also invites them to act like aliens and guests in all the situations of their life. For the apostle adds this admonition: " Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may be your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." Vv.12-17.
Ue see that on his journey through this world the Christian has to conduct himself as an alien. And what is an alien's duty in a foreign land? He must remember that he is not to disgrace his homeland; by his conduct he should not bring an evil repute upon his homeland; he is really considered a representative of his land and nation.
You Christians who confess that you are aliens on this world, you are not the children of this world; you are the children of God and citizens of a holy nation; you are companions of your heavenly Father, servants and subjects of the King of all kings; heaven is your true homeland and salvation your goal; in our text the apostle cries to you: " Have your conversation honest among the Gentiles," v.12, that is, the children of this world. Remember that every time you do evil, your true King is disgraced; the least wrong you become guilty of dishonors not only you but all those whose brothers and sisters you want to be; the ungodly life which you permit to be seen in you the world ascribes to the Holy Bible because this is the lawbook of the Holy City of God, whose citizen
you admit you are.
How will you be received in your heavenly home, when they find out that on your journey through this world you by your offensive conduct have become guilty of having God's kingdom blasphemed among his enemies? Wherever you Christians go, show that you are subjects of a Lord in whose country truth and righteousness dwell, whose scepter is a right scepter and whose throne is founded on love, truth, and holiness.
Alas, how many there are who are pious among the pious and godless among the godless! How much better it would be for such hypocrites, if they would not pretend to be citizens of the kingdom of heaven! How much better it would be for them if they would renounce the Christian Church completely! Their responsibility would not be so great; they would only sin against themselves and not cause many others to be offended at God and his Word and be lost. Therefore never forget, you Christians, that you are on a journey and that by your Christian life you should give your homeland a good reputation.
This means that Christians are to conduct themselves everywhere as guests. A guest is discreet; wherever he is received, he conducts himself not as the Lord of the house but goes by the rules of the master of the house; he is not an annoying guest so that he is asked to leave. Think of this, my dear Christian! That is why the apostle says to you: " Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." VV.13a.17. Bear in mind that here you are in another's home; although you are the free children of God, submit to all human lords and laws as long as you do not thereby violate the obedience which you have sworn your eternal King in Holy Baptism. Show the world that in your homeland citizens have learned obedience and submission " that they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." V.12b,
Alas, how many make their Christian liberty a cloak of malice! When they hear that man is not saved by his good works but through faith in Christ, how many believe that they can live in the lusts of their heart! that God will overlook their deliberate sins! Oh, how you deceive yourselves! Only for this reason does God want to forgive you, so that you can serve him without fear your whole life; you are created a new person through faith unto good works, that you should walk in them.
III.
Finally, the apostle says in our text: " Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." Vv. 18-20.
With these words the apostle reminds the Christians of the cross which they as followers of Christ must bear. The Christian's conviction of being pilgrims in this world summons them in the third place to bear willingly the hardships which arise on their pilgrimage.
We know, of course, that on a trip we have to put up with very many things; there are sometimes unfriendly innkeepers, sometimes poor hotels, sometimes desolate, pathless regions, steep mountains, precipitous cliffs, swamps, and morasses, sometimes the burning sun, sometimes freezing cold, sometimes
thunderstorms without a protecting roof; sometimes we must travel through forests in which the night unexpectedly surprises the travelers; sometimes robbers and murderers who try to take his property, body, and life attack him; sometimes fearful storms arise on the sea during which the abyss opens like the jaws of death.
How important and comforting for the Christian to remind himself in days of misery and distress, that he is on a journey! For then he knows not only that it can be no other way, but also that this wretched road finally leads him into the heavenly homeland.
If the Christian has to deal with people who make his life bitter, he comforts himself by thinking: I am on a journey; why be surprised if I meet an unfriendly innkeeper or a hostile housekeeper? It will be so much better for you when you come to your heavenly Father. If the Christian is surrounded only by sorrow and care, he comforts himself by thinking: Right now I am in a poor hotel overnight; it may last a long time, but the dawn will come and I will go on to heaven, where I will remain forever.
If the Christian sees others live peacefully and rise in the world, but nothing succeeds for him; everything seems to be against him; nothing turns out happily; he then comforts himself by saying: I am now in a pathless region; I must climb steep mountains, clamber over rocky slopes, struggle painfully through swamps and morasses; but it is only a short distance; the lights of my home town shine ahead; there I will soon have rest.
If a Christian must eat his bread here in the sweat of his face, if for the heaviest work he receives the poorest pay, he thinks: What else can the traveler expect? Now the heat of summer, then the cold of winter afflicts me. If a Christian often cannot get to his own home he thinks: Is that surprising? A traveler is happy if during a rainstorm he can get under the roof of another. If in' this world the Christian! often loses his property, if he even is in danger of losing his life, he thinks:j Those are the difficulties of a traveler; no one can take my soul away.
If the Christian experiences the greatest temptations and is on the point of dying, he thinks; Now I am like a ship; all the waves are roaring about me; the deeps open up to the right hand and to the left; be comforted; God himself is my helmsman; when my little boat is about to be wrecked, he will carry me in his arms to the shores of eternal life. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of. death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Ps 23,1-4.
Oh that all of us would look at our life as simply a journey to our homeland! Then we would not stop so often and revel in the things of this world. Then we would never lose sight of heaven, and we would consider the world as nothing; then we would walk more discreetly in the presence of the enemies of God and his Word; we would be exemplary citizens of a perfect kingdom, so that others would also be enticed to set foot on the narrow way into that beautiful country; then we would behave like guests who are happy to be tolerated; then we would also give ourselves gladly to God's will, if he lets much suffering and tribulation be our lot.
And now you, who have lived as though this world were your homeland, get on with your travels to heaven, so that you do not die body and soul in this dangerous world. Tear your heart free from sin and vanity; take Christ as the Companion and Protector of your body and soul, and follow him; you will finally
enter the gates of the eternal city.
And you, who already are traveling the narrow way of faith, love, and hope amid sighs, do not glance back nor become tired and faint; partake daily of the bread of life, the Word of God; diligently refresh yourself at the Rock of the Holy Sacraments; then you will not succumb, and finally you will enter eternal life. For, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from all their labors and their works do follow them. Amen.
3RD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER (2) 1 Ρeter 2:11-20 ()
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In our Savior, dearly beloved hearers.
God's Word tells us that one of the things which will announce the end of the world is that after a great fall from the faith there will be a rebellion even against civil government, the sanctity of governmental authority will be denied, and everywhere there will be a bloody persecution.
After he had stated that shortly before the end of the world many false prophets would arise and deceive many, Christ himself says: "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." Mt 24,7. Paul writes: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, without natural affection, fierce, traitors, heady." 2 Tim 3,1-4. Peter writes in the same vein; he describes the people as those who "despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, while they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption." 2 Peter 2,10.19.
If we compare the state of affairs in our day with this picture, we can see that also this prediction is being literally fulfilled before our very eyes. Now that the great apostasy has taken place, the Word of God, the Holy Sacraments, all sacred mysteries of the Christian Church, yes, God himself, has been rejected, the world wide battle against civil laws has begun. Of all divine institutions this was the last one left which they could attack and try to nullify.
And it has happened. The spirit of rebellion and insurrection seized all nations 24 years ago; every time this fire was successfully quenched, it has always burst forth somewhere else in brilliant flames. That the government is God's servant and substitute on earth, that those who resist the government resist God's ordinance and fight against God, is now almost universally ridiculed as a teaching of the age of ignorance. Respect for those whom God has invested with the highest power on earth has disappeared; as Peter predicted, authority is despised; they are not afraid to revile heads of government; yes, they pour upon them the vilest mockery and ridicule in words and writing. To be a king
and to be a tyrant, to rule the people and to oppress them are considered synonymous. To exterminate all kings and privileged groups and grant democratic freedom to all people has been called the goal toward which the world is moving. When it has been attained the golden age will have come.
And what is the definition of a republic? A state where one can do what he wishes. Therefore the laws of the government are no longer considered sacred; if one conforms to the law it is only because one still feels himself too weak to oppose the power of the government. To be subject to an unjust government because it is of God and endure oppression at its hands without rebelling is now deemed weakness, cowardice unworthy of a free man, yes insanity. The government should not be the government but the voters' stooge without a will of its own; it should ask only what the people want, give free rein to all who hate honor, chastity, and order, and even place the seal of approval upon their lawless deeds.
But the most frightening thing about all this is that many Christians have themselves drunk from the intoxicating cup of false thoughts of freedom. Even Scripture is not seldom misused to justify this bogus freedom. The reading of atheistic literature which preaches the overthrow of all divine and human laws is gradually bearing bitter, ruinous fruit even among Christians.
Oh, how necessary it therefore is, my friends, if we do not want to perish in the ruin of these last times, that on the basis of God's Word we be grounded in the true doctrine of the government, the obedience due it, and strengthen our faith in it! Since our today's Epistle gives us the opportunity to do that, let us use it to learn why Christians should be subject to government. We prepare ourselves for this by offering a silent Lord's Prayer.
Quote the text here: 1 Peter 2:11-20.
At the time when Christianity first began to spread, the government was in the control of those who were not only unfamiliar with the Christian faith, but were hostile toward it. It was in the hands of unjust, cruel, bloodthirsty tyrants, monsters in human form. The first Christians had to pass through a sea of suffering brought upon them by their government. Was it any wonder that at that time many Christians erred in the doctrine of the sacredness of the government? But what did the apostles do? Not only did they themselves endure all that their government decreed without resisting, but they also admonished the Christians to submit. The Apostle Peter does this in the Epistle just read; on the basis of this lesson let me today answer the question:
WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE SUBJECT TO THEIR GOVERNMENT?
On the basis of our Epistle I answer:
1. Because the Government is an Ordinance of God, and,
2. Because It is God's Will That His Ordinance be Held Sacred, Even if Administered by Wicked Men.
Oh holy God, we must confess that we not only live among a disobedient people of unclean lips, which continually cries: "Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us," Ps 2,3; we ourselves have a disobedient, unruly heart, which does not want to obey; it does not want to suffer patiently but avenge itself. Help us to separate ourselves from our foes in heart, word, and deed; help us to love your dear Son, our Savior and Example, learning of him to be truly meek and mild. Help us here in the kingdom of the
cross to serve and suffer gladly; but then let us some day in the kingdom of glory rule and rejoice forever. Hear us for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I.
" The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein," sings David in PS 111,2. And which person, who believes in a God, does not agree with this declaration? Of a truth, God can do only praiseworthy things; all his ordinances can be only laudable, glorious, and must be held sacred.
If it is true that the government is an ordinance of the great God himself, then beyond a doubt it is not only the duty of every Christian but also his delight and joy to obey it.
Who instituted the powers of the government ? Men or God? The usual answer which is given these days is: Man. Many say: By nature every person is free, subject to no one, his own lord. It is only by common consent, they claim, that a few rule, the rest let themselves be ruled, that a few govern, the rest are subject to them. Subjects, therefore, always have the right to overthrow the government. The right of revolution is a holy inalienable right of all nations. Every use of force is tyranny. They even want to prove this from Holy Scripture. The first despot mentioned in the Bible, they say, was Nimrod. Of him we read: "He began to be a mighty one in the earth." Gen 10,8.
This, however, is a great ruinous error. God is not a God of confusion but order. God did not create two things to be on the same level. Throughout the entire world we find an endless gradation, in which one thing is subordinate to another. The whole creation is not a disconnected mass of things and beings, but an orderly kingdom divided into countless provinces. At the head of all creatures is God himself, the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords. Everywhere he has his substitutes clothed with his majesty who rule and govern. There are ranks even among the holy angels. Scripture tells us that there are not only angels, but also archangels, thrones, dominions, powers, and authorities as well. And had not man fallen into sin, there would have been leaders and followers, rulers and subjects even in the state of innocence.
It is true that all governments arose either by election, the consent of the governed, or through conquest. Thus man filled the governmental offices with certain persons. That is why our text calls the government the " ordinance of man." V.13. We read: " Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man." V.13. And what does the apostle add? He says: " For the Lord's sake... as the servants of God." V.13.16. What does the apostle mean to say? This: Yes, men rule you; they come into their office by men; but the office itself which they hold is a divine office; the power they have is a divine power; the name and the commission by which they rule and govern is the name and commission of the great God; the Lord whose place they take is the King of all kings, the God of all gods, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Ruler of all creatures.
That we do not deceive ourselves in interpreting it this way we see from other passages of Holy Writ, where this is expressed even more clearly. St. Paul writes to the Romans: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher power For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.... He is the minister of God to thee for good.... Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only
for wrath, but also for conscience sake. ” Rom 13,1.2.4a.5. How could the divine institution of the government be attested more clearly? We find similar expressions even in the Old Testament. God says in Proverbs: "By me kings reign, and princes decree justice." Prov 8,15. Daniel says: "He removeth kings, and set teth up kings." Dan 2,21.
Will you perhaps say: Yes, God himself crowned several kings, but when and where did God establish government generally? Has it not always been men who first set up the government? Who is the first person of whom God said: He shall be your king, your sovereign, your lord, your ruling body?
And I answer: Who gave the father his position and placed him over his son? and who gave the son his place and made him obedient to the father? Is it not God, the Lord? You see that in the paternal power God set up the civil power. In the divine power, which the head of a family has, lies the root of the divine power of the fathers of the land. God's command: "Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother," also contains God's command: "Let every soul be subject to the higher powers." The first father was the first king, the first sovereign, the first head, the first authority in the sphere of his family.
Originally all power which any governmental authority had belongs to the father. When Noah left the ark, there was only one head of the family, and yet God said then: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." Gen 9,6. With these words God gave the father complete jurisdiction; he even placed the sword to punish evildoers into his hands. And so we see that only a few hundred years later the house-father, Abraham, ruled also as the prince of his family, even waging war against a predatory invader to protect his relative Lot, and was not punished but blessed by God.
Therefore, the power of a ruler originates in the paternal power. If several families want to live together as a nation, as a great alliance of families, the power of the fathers of all members of the union must be given to one or several. And whoever has this power has divine power; God places his seal upon it, and whoever disobeys this power resists not merely men's but God's ordinance.
Yes, it is true that God has not decided whether the families of a country should unite to form a monarchy in which one person rules, or an aristocracy, where a group rules, or a republic in which the people themselves rule through elected officials. But wherever governmental authority is established, it cannot be overthrown by force; it should be held sacred; God should be honored in his substitute and given that absolute obedience which children give their fathers.
That is why w e read in our text: " Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man (.or I he Lord's sake; whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well... As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." Vv. 13,14.16.17. You see, that as little as a Christian's Christian liberty frees him from obeying his parents, so little is he free from obeying his government. The apostle places both admonitions along side each other: " Fear God. Honor the king." Whoever, therefore, fears God will and must honor also his government.
II.
Perhaps many will say silently: It is true, government must be in the world, and one must obey it so that justice can be administered. But what if
the government is an unjust one? What if it uses its powers in behalf of criminals and against the pious, does not punish the evildoers and praise the upright? Should a Christian obey it even then?
I reply: If it commands you to sin, to do something against your faith and a good conscience, then you dare not obey it; then it no longer commands in the name of him whose place it takes; then what Peter said to his government applies when it ordered him to be silent about the name of Jesus: "We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5,29. But if it does not order you to sin, then obedience is due it, even if it acts unjustly; for it is God's will that its laws be held sacred even when it is administered by impious people. And that is the second point about which I want to speak to you.
We read in our text: " Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." Vv. 18-20.
With absolute clarity this says that Christians are to obey not only a good and gentle, but also a false and malicious, not only a pious but also a godless, not only an upright and fair but also an unjust and unfair government; for conscience's sake toward God they are to endure all injustice without resisting by force.
According to God's Word the government is the government not because it deals piously, fairly, uprightly, and benevolently but because by God's government or permission it has the power. The power which a government has are the credentials that it is of God. The Apostle Paul does not say in Romans 13 when bloody Nero was emperor: Be subject to the government which has a claim upon you, but: "to the higher powers." And he adds: "For there is no power but of God; the powers that be," be they righteous or unjust, "are ordained of God." As a good government is a blessing of God, so a poor government is a divine punishment. That is why God says to Israel: "I gave thee a king in mine anger." Hos 13,11. Through the Prophet Isaiah God says: "I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them." Is 3,4. In Job we read: "That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared." Job 34,30. As we must endure pestilence, floods, hail, failure of harvest, and famine, so we must also endure the scourge of a tyrannical government. Even in such a government we must honor God's hand and holy ordinance.
It is true: God is not the cause of sin; God can neither approve of the wrongs of tyrants nor demand that man consider their wrongs as right. But whilst God rejects the character of the unjust government, he nevertheless confirms in it his ordinance, their holy office.
So when the Israelites were tired of their republican constitution, deposed their judge, and desired a king, the Lord said to Samuel: "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me." 1 Sam 8,7. And when, as the result of this revolution, Saul was made king, God himself confirmed all the rights of a king and said: "This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you; He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen, and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them,
and give them to his servants.... And ye shall be his servants." 1 Sam 8, 11-14.17, Later when King Saul actually became a bloodthirsty tyrant, God rejected his person; but even David who was persecuted by him dared not lay his avenging hand upon him because he was the Lord's anointed. When after Solomon's death the rebel Jeroboam became king of the ten, tribes, God pronounced sentence upon him; but once he had received the powers of the government, God forbade even the tribe of Judah to hurl him from his throne. ’ Yes, Christ himself says to the most unjust judge who ever sat upon the bench: "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above." Jn 19,11.
You see, my friends, when God permits someone to gather the reins of the government into his hands, it is his will that all be subject to him. The sins of the tyrants God punishes in time and eternity; their power and office, however, he wants us to honor. God rejects revolution as rebellion against heaven; but if by revolution a new power is created, he confirms it and demands obedience to it.
How could it be otherwise? What would happen if God would permit one to resist every government which subjects consider unjust? Continual warfare, constant shedding of blood, uninterrupted civil war would tear and mutilate the nations. No one would be sure of his life, possessions, and good name. There would soon be an end to civil peace and order, public worship and instruction, to business and industry, to the arts and sciences, in short, to everything which brings prosperity to a nation. True, this is at times hindered by a tyrannical government, but only seldom, since even the most unjust government for its own sake must see to it that its citizens prosper. Tell me: How could God have provided better for the welfare of the people than by commanding us to be obedient to every government which has power over us?
So, my friends, let us abuse neither our Christian freedom nor our present civil freedom. Let us continually call to mind the word of the apostle in our Epistle: " As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God." V.16.
Let us not join in the speeches of the apostles of freedom of our day who want to be free of all divine and human authority. Let us not join them when they revile government officials. Let us not take part when they unite to hurl kings from their thrones. Let us not mingle with rebels who when such great freedoms are granted them, even here cry about tyranny the moment their wild lusts are to be limited. Let us not read their disgraceful publications in which they revile God and men, all heavenly and earthly powers; let us print such literature as is needed in our earthly calling and which we can read without becoming besmirched.
It is true: Even our government is not seldom guilty of the most flagrant wrongs. Through deceit and bribery only too many come into office; they do not use their office for the welfare of the people but for their own profit, to oppress the innocent and protect the criminal. Of course, we are not to approve and excuse that but if we are called to do it, condemn and seek to correct it by the legal means available; but let us never forget; Our own government stained with many sins remains our government, God's servant who does not bear the sword in vain; its office and power remains a holy office and power nevertheless; if we resist it, we are resisting God.
Finally, let us thank God from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful civil and religious freedom, which we enjoy here, and above all pray for our government; it is not possible for an entire nation of upright people to have a poor government, nor for a nation which prays earnestly to have a tyrant,
nor for a people which repentantly humbles itself before God to retain a godless, tyrannical government. For thus it is written: "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." Prov 14,34. Amen.