Our founding fathers believed it was time for them to switch allegiances because they understood that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed. Great Britain disregarded its own laws in its attempt to force the colonies to pay harsh taxes in order to rebuild its treasury following what is known as the French and Indian War, whereby Great Britain expanded its power in North America and worldwide. The colonies believed they were being denied the rights of ordinary Englishmen because they had no representation in Parliament and no voice in what taxes they had to pay. Great Britain resorted to what had always worked before, demanding obedience to the authority of the Crown. When the colonies refused, things gradually escalated into war, one that launched a nation and a great experiment in representative government.
The US Constitution set up a republic in which people could vote into office those who would represent them in the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government.
From a biblical perspective, did God intend for government to derive its just powers from the consent of the governed, or is that a purely humanistic concept?
We can start with a well-known passage from Romans.
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Romans 13:1-5 (NLT)
At one level, government is not derived from the consent of the governed but from God. All authority originates and emanates from God. The reason is simple. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who by virtue of his identity has all authority. Even we humans own what we create.
Therefore, any governmental authority that exists among created beings is derived from the Creator, since none existed before he created us nor does any exist outside of what he created.
The Creator delegated great responsibility and commensurate authority over his creation to his first humans, Adam and Eve.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)
The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. Genesis 2:15 (NLT)
Adam was made the governor of the earth to care for it and guard it. This is the purpose of government from the beginning.
The passage quoted from Romans above shows that when government properly represents God, it will care for and protect its people against those who would bring harm. Anything that deviates from this purpose improperly represents God’s purpose for government. Any government that becomes oppressive is operating according to the principles of the kingdom of darkness and should be considered illegitimate. Certainly any government that violates its own laws must be considered as such.
Surely God never intended for us to willingly submit to oppression.
Our founding fathers certainly believed this about the government of Great Britain, when it failed to uphold its own laws or protect the rights of its people.
Satan, who is a created being, has no inherent authority, only that which has been given by God or usurped sinfully. Anyone who aligns himself with Satan in the governmental realm is operating under usurped authority.
Satan uses authority in a completely different way from God. Whereas the Creator imparts life and blessings, the devil only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)
Satan told Jesus that he had the ability to place anyone he wished in authority, if only they would bow down to him. (Matthew 4:8-9) History is replete with examples of men and women who took him up on the offer. Thankfully, our Lord did not!
Jesus was determined to obtain governmental authority legitimately by doing things God’s way. As a result, our Lord how holds all authority in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18)
The Bible gives us a clear example of operating with usurped authority when Queen Jezebel used King Ahab’s authority to orchestrate the murder of Naboth and the theft of his vineyard. (1 Kings 21) We also see this in Genesis when Satan conspired to steal Adam’s authority by inciting him to rebel against the Creator. By deceiving him and Eve into disobedience against God, the first couple chose allegiance to Satan over God, ceding their authority to the devil.
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 (ESV)
Satan has used his usurped authority malevolently. Jesus refused to submit to it and made a way forus to escape, too.
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, Colossians 1:13 (NASB95)
We understand that we come under whatever authority we consent to rule over us.
Adam and Eve chose to serve Satan and relinquish authority to him which resulted in their becoming his slave. God operates through truth, but the devil must always resort to lies, since no one would ever choose to serve him otherwise.
Jesus made a way for us to switch sides. The gospel offers us the choice to once again come under God’s authority by surrendering our lives to the Lord Jesus.
“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (NASB95) Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21 (NASB95) And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. Acts 2:40–41 (NASB95)
Those who consent to be governed by Jesus escape the dominion of darkness. Those who refuse the gospel give consent for Satan to rule over and destroy them.
Satan lies to manipulate people to gain their consent to be governed malevolently by him. No one would agree to be robbed, murdered, and generally destroyed; yet, through skillful deception, Satan actually gets people to choose those things. Likewise, corrupt governments skillfully manipulate propaganda to fool people into trading their freedom for slavery. The devil promises to be our benefactor and friend, while actually destroying his subjects. He must laugh at us continually.
Lying or, to use the modern term, propaganda, is the key to Satan’s ongoing usurpation of God’s authority. Jesus taught that the truth will set us free. (John 8:31-32)
Isn’t it time to join the Jesus revolution and switch to the winning side, God’s side?
Prayer
Lord, I repent for serving the kingdom of darkness. I am ready to switch allegiances. Jesus, I declare my faith in you. You are my Lord and King. Help me to serve you faithfully for the rest of my life. Holy Spirit, come into my life and transform me from within. Help me to live for Jesus. Father God, thank you for receiving me into your family. Help me to know and love you more fully. Amen.
