Government: The Battle for Power & Control

Rulers are to protect, provide leadership and allocate resources for the benefit of those under authority.

Righteousness & Justice vs. Tyranny & Perversion

• Sovereignty and protection
• Laws of the land – Rewarding good & punishing evil
• Permission for change

• Moral standards
• Corruption and bribery
• Economic behavior through tax structure

• Providence – Worship God as ruler and protector
• Obey God’s Laws
• Appeal to God for change

• Moral standards – Establish evil as good
• Expand corruption and bribery
• Intimidate and silence truth
• Protect predators and thwart justice.
• Encourage pride and rebellion

• Do not participate in darkness, but rather expose it. (Ephesians 5:11)
• Train and prepare leaders for government.
• Teach the fear of God.  God holds us accountable for how we lead.

• ¹ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.  (Romans 13:1-7)