Government and Morality

Government and Morality
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

“A king who sits on the throne of righteousness winnows away all evil with his eyes” (Proverbs 20:8).

The greatest failing of any people is to underestimate the importance of God’s standards in their lives and in their institutions. This includes their government. Our nation once knew and benefited from a biblical worldview, but it has steadily strayed from that path. The cry for “separation of church and state” has resulted in the separation of state and morality. Incidentally, Jefferson and others were not afraid of citizens being influenced by divine principles of thought and conduct: they were afraid of a mechanism that might allow government to impose its religious will upon its citizens! This was precisely what had happened with the Church of England!

No government can survive that rejects the biblical model of society and human interaction. Let us consider some of the more basic tenets:

1. Respect for the sanctity of human life is vital to the survival of any nation. This begins with a genuine respect for the life of the unborn and it extends to the elderly. It includes church members (Ephesians 4:1-16), family members (Eph. 5:22-6:4) and neighbors (Matt. 22:39).

2. Respect for the rights and choices of others. We should respect the lives and property of others, but we should also respect their right to make their own choices. Some fear that a biblical worldview forces all people to subscribe to biblical ethics and morality. No, the Bible itself teaches that people are free agents, which means that people are free to make their own decisions about service to God (“whoever WILL, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). This principle has served this nation well for over 200 years. There is no reason why it cannot continue to work.

3. Respect for the role of government. Paul told the saints at Rome that God had “appointed” civil government for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of well doers (Romans 13:1-4). When government ceases to follow this model it ceases to be approved by God. Sadly, many human governments act contrary to God’s will today. Let us do what we can to encourage rulers to respect God’s ways.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.