“All power is from God or Power is not power if not from God” - sermon 07/26/2020

“All power is from God or Power is not power if not from God” - sermon 07/26/2020

Senior Pastor of the New Life Church Vyacheslav Goncharenko.

Let every soul be submissive to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God; But the existing authorities are established by God (Romans 13:1).

In modern translation from Greek it sounds like this:

Power is not power if it is not from God. The existing authorities under God are established (Romans 13:1).

This verse raises many questions. “The power that we have, is it God’s or not?” “The power that does injustice, is it really God’s?” “Hitler, Stalin and other dictators are also God’s power?”

Today we will look at different extremes. The first is when people say that all authority is from God and must be completely obeyed. People in power love to quote this verse, even those who have never read the Bible. There are also believers who are not an interested party, but quote this passage of Scripture, understanding it this way: “If the government is from God and the government that is in our country is from God, then complete obedience and obedience to it are necessary.” But upon deep study, this position does not stand up to criticism of Scripture and logic itself. We see how many people in the world occupy positions of power, but suffer ruin, misfortune, and bloodshed. How many of those who are in power are very ambitious - as a result, young boys and soldiers become hostages of their ambitions - and lay down their lives for nothing. Therefore, we cannot agree that all authority is from God and must be submitted to. Because in this case, we will need to consider everything that Hitler and Stalin did as something from God, that God taught or punished the people in this way. But that's not true. Blind obedience is more like a lack of reason.

The next position is when people say that if the power is not from God, then this means that the pagans rule. Therefore, this power is not from God. But Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, who was the representative of the Roman government (at that time the Roman Empire occupied their country). Jesus said to Pilate: “You would have no power over me unless it had been given to you from above.” The Roman authorities were very cruel, but Jesus said that this was given to them from above. They also wanted to catch Christ by asking whether it was necessary to pay taxes to the Roman emperor? To this Jesus asked to be given a Roman denarius and asked: “Whose image is there?” They told him it was a Caesarean section. Then He said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Therefore, the position that if the government does not know God, then it is not from God is untrue.

Third, people often quote the words: “Every soul must be subject to the highest authorities,” and believe that only the highest authority should be obeyed. By supreme authority they mean the authority of God. And therefore human power is not considered power. But such a position distorts Scripture, because in Romans chapter 13, verse 1, it speaks of human authority, but established by God.

There is another version, the fourth, when people say that God has withdrawn today, that He does not rule, but Satan rules, the spirit of this world, the pagans, rules. People who hold this opinion say that if God ruled, there would not be so much evil on earth. This means that God does not rule, but will only rule in the thousand-year kingdom. I think this is incorrect. God still rules today! It is written that “the universe is solid.” If you study this issue, you will see that there is much more good on earth than evil. There are manifestations of evil, this is obvious. Sometimes people focus on manifestations of evil because they are bright, provocative, they make a person’s heart beat faster, and it seems that everything around is evil. This is wrong.

Today people have different political views. Even in the same family, husband and wife argue about politics. Some are for the Reds, some are for the Whites - otherwise they are united, but here disagreements begin.

Even in our church, people have different political preferences. There are groups of people who are supporters of the current government. There is a group of people who would like change and prefer a new government. Also, those who don’t care what kind of power there will be, the main thing is that the sausage is in the store. There are people who do not submit to any authority and believe that any authority is evil. They don't go to elections. Everyone has the constitutional right to choose the government they like - and in this regard, each of us is absolutely free. Election time is coming - and every citizen has the right to make this choice. Presidents are not kings or anointed ones. Of course, they partly inherited the traits of kings - and they behave like kings, and they raise armies and impose taxes. But the president in a democratic society is not a king or an anointed one. No one poured anointing oil on the president. Most presidents, when taking office, swear an oath on the Constitution, not the Bible. Therefore, to consider them anointed, as in the days of the Israelite people and the Kingdoms, is incorrect.

A president is a person to whom the people have given the power to be president for a certain period of time. The people have a constitutional right to choose a president. Because the main power of the country is the people. Be citizens of your country and participate in the political process. Because it's your constitutional right.

The very structure of power was conceived by God - and this is good compared to when there is no institution of power, compared to chaos and anarchy when power is not established. During the time of the Judges (this is described in chapter 17, verse 6), everyone did what seemed fair to him. Human nature strives to do what it wants. But if you look at history, it always led to extremes, it was not good.

Thus, the institution of power is established by God. What was the reason for the establishment of the institution of power and why did God do it?

Whoever sheds the blood of man, his blood will be shed by the hand of man: for man is created in the image of God (Genesis 9:6).

This establishment came as a consequence of the fact that sin entered the world and the corrupt nature of man became uncontrollable by God’s principles, so a regulator was needed - power - the police, the militia, the army - this is a deterrent to the sinful nature of people through punishment. That nature that is capable of lying, robbing, killing and committing other lawlessness. This is a necessary measure to protect life, justice and the human race.

Therefore, he who resists authority resists God's institution. But those who resist will bring condemnation upon themselves (Romans 1:2).

The Apostle Peter explains why power is needed:

Be subject therefore to every human authority for the Lord's sake: whether to a king, as the supreme authority, or to rulers, as those sent by him to punish transgressors and to reward those who do good (1 Peter 2:13-14).

Power is punishment for those who do evil and encouragement for those who do good.

Many empires and civilizations collapsed due to the fact that the authorities stopped judging the wrong actions of people. The government is called upon to restrain evil, but it cannot cope with the problem of evil, because this problem lies in the sinful heart of man - and only the Holy Spirit can solve it. When a person comes to the Lord, the blood of Christ frees and washes his heart. A person who is internally free through the blood of Christ and through the Holy Spirit does not need police.

Yesterday a man came to me to check the seals installed on the gas meter. We got to talking, and he said that over the past six months he had discovered 15 violations. This means 15 people tried to change the measuring device in order to pay less. Large fines are issued for this - the last violator was ordered to pay 4,000 rubles. Such people, with a sinful nature, need police and power.

If power resists evil, then peaceful people live in safety - and that’s good. Power is a blessing for those who do not break the law.

For rulers are not a terror to good deeds, but to evil deeds. Do you want to not be afraid of power? Do good, and you will receive praise from her, for [the boss] is God’s servant, for your good. If you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain: he is God’s servant, an avenger to punish those who do evil. And therefore one must obey not only out of [fear of] punishment, but also out of conscience. For this reason you pay taxes, for they are God’s servants, constantly occupied with this (Romans 1:3-6).

The authorities are called upon to encourage those who do good, to support any positive initiative in society, to advocate for good deeds, to notice them, to praise and reward them, and also to cooperate with those who are bearers and champions of goodness. By acting in this way, the government creates conditions for a good life for people, for the development of abilities, so that every person can benefit society and prosper.

The authorities are called upon to take care of their people.

The excellence of the country as a whole is a king who cares for the country (Ecclesiastes 5:8).

This is superiority when the president, king, emperor takes care of his country.

People from our church went to Africa, and they said that their first impression of this country was small children walking along the roads unattended in thousands. They have no school, no education, no food. In that country, the authorities do not care about their people. Social security is at such a low level that it is practically non-existent. When they returned to Belarus, they said: “Wow! This is America!

Power is responsibility. And management is a complex matter. Building a society is painstaking work.

To establish all the necessary ministries in the country, health, education, employment, security, transport, financing, order, legislation, sports, nutrition, water supply, agriculture, production, to organize the work of various spheres and even timely removal of snow and garbage - all this requires a lot of effort. They must be valued and respected.

I met with the powers that be in our city and once delved into their work. I decided to read up on what, for example, the deputy mayor, whom I was going to meet, was doing. His to-do list was huge! He is a very busy man. Usually we don't understand this.

We had a brother in our church who worked in the police. I once asked him: “How do you like your work? I’m probably glad that you’ll retire soon, young and strong.” He began to talk about the stress he experiences when he arrives on a call, for example, when he needs to get a person out of a noose. I think each of us would prefer to stay at home and sleep peacefully.

The President is a heavy burden, and we must respect his work and pray, because a lot depends on him.

So give everyone their due: give to whom, give; to whom quitrent, quitrent; to whom fear, fear; to whom is honor, honor (Romans 1:7).

Honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king (1 Peter 2:17).

Ruling a country is difficult. Try to at least manage yourself, your family, your subordinates, if you have them or if you dream of opening your own business. Church management and leadership of any kind is a lot of work.

What if people in power break the law and do evil? People often ask the question: “Why does God allow people who do evil to come to power?” Let me explain a little. It often happens that when people come to power, they have pure motives and fear of the Lord, but afterwards power corrupts them. This is what happened to King Saul.

And Samuel said, Were you not little in your own eyes when you became the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed you king over Israel? (1 Samuel 15:17)

Why did you not listen to the voice of the Lord and rushed at the prey and did evil in the sight of the Lord? (1 Samuel 15:19)

Saul, when his coronation was scheduled, hid in the baggage train until he was found - he was so embarrassed by this position. But then he got the hang of it and started to get weird. People who have received power can commit lawlessness, like Saul.

The fact that power corrupts and corrupts is relevant. Like in the film “The Lord of the Rings” - everyone who has a ring in their hands begins to “do tricks”. To have power, you need to be a very meek, humble person. It turns out that power is such a heavy burden! You have so much - and you can take over the world. This happens to people who gain power - they begin to behave completely differently. Therefore, we see how in different countries the rulers do not do what they are called to do, and thus discredit or dishonor the institution of government established by God.

People corrupted by power turn God's institution of power into a worldly system of domination.

Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are considered princes of the nations rule over them, and their nobles rule over them. But let it not be like this among you: but whoever wants to be great among you, let us be your servant; and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:42-45).

God's government serves the people, protects and guarantees rights. Worldly power dominates the people and oppresses the people.

When the wicked rules, the people groan (Proverbs 29:2)

Here is what they write on the Internet on this topic: “Power is the ability to impose one’s will on other people, even against their resistance,” “Political power is the ability of a certain social group or class to exercise its will, to influence the activities of other social groups or classes . Unlike other types of power (family, public, etc.), political power exerts its influence on large groups of people and uses a specially created apparatus for these purposes. The most powerful element of political power is the state and the system of state bodies that exercise state power.”

Thus God's model became a worldly system of domination. But authority must represent God's authority.

The God of Israel has said, the rock of Israel has spoken of me: He who rules over men will be righteous, ruling in the fear of God (2 Samuel 23:3).

This is what power should be like! But most people in power do not know God and do not have the fear of God. And as a result, people in power disgrace the institution of power by not behaving like the servants of God described in Scripture. Instead, corruption, deception, injustice are visible, the rights of the poor are infringed, the government does not hear the voice of its people, and people who have received power commit lawlessness. This is not about everyone, of course: there are people who live according to their conscience, but you rarely meet such people.

If you see in any area the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and justice, then do not be surprised at this: because the high one is watching over the high one, and the higher one is watching over them (Ecclesiastes 5:7).

This is so common that Solomon says not to be surprised. Power has always been corrupt.

The publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Master! what should we do? He answered them: do not demand anything more specific to you. The soldiers also asked him: what should we do? And he said to them, Do not offend anyone, do not slander, and be content with your wages (Luke 3:12).

This word resonates very much in my heart: don’t offend anyone! Unfortunately, there are those who are offended, there is oppression, there is violence where the authorities exceed their powers. In our country, we see how peaceful people are grabbed on the street and tried using false witnesses. The courts are unfair and manipulated. For what?

One day a believer from our church was captured on the street. Two false witnesses immediately appeared in court and began to claim that he swore at the government. He replied that he did not swear, since ten years since he repented, the Lord had completely freed him from obscene language. He has a pure mind! In principle, he could not swear, but false witnesses said the opposite.

I want you and I to understand God. The Bible says, “Unfaithful scales are an abomination to the Lord.” There is a man at the checkout, weighing your sausage, he tilted the scales a little in his favor, you overpaid. God says: “This is an abomination to Me. I don’t even want to look in that direction.” Therefore, when you believers sometimes see iniquity and “swallow it up,” there is something wrong with you. If you “swallow” this, you will experience spiritual poisoning of the body. After all, when you are physically poisoned by something, your body returns it. He cannot live with this, it is an anomaly for his health. Only a pure soul, enlightened by God, and a pure mind, which lives in God's presence, will always react to iniquity as the Lord reacts. Believers have a heightened sense of justice.

If you are a believer, you will worry about everything and everyone who has been offended. It's like a wound in your heart. So don't offend! Love is in you.

This is a shock for me: false witnesses, unjust trials, manipulation. Because people simply want fair elections. How can you judge a person who wants to live honestly and fairly? Therefore, people's distrust of the government is growing. And this is the result of the fact that the authorities do not behave honestly.

I see a way out. To restore trust, you need to ask for forgiveness. Among the offended and oppressed. If there is no apology, then mistrust will develop into something else. We see this everywhere in history.

Is there a limit to obedience to authorities? We recognize and support authority where the laws of authority do not contradict the requirements of God. And it doesn’t matter whether it comes from the president, the minister, or some petty boss at your job.

My brother told me how he served in the army - and he had a boss who told him to go and steal a bag of potatoes from the soldier's canteen. The brother replied that he could not. The commander first got angry, and then said: “Well done, I tested you.”

We always go through tests: will we remain true to our conscience and principles or will we sell our conscience and truth? Satan has always wanted us to sell our conscience. Hitler once said: “I am your conscience!” And therefore, the people who killed on the orders of the commanders-in-chief later, during the Nuremberg trials against them, looked very poor. All they could say was, “I followed orders.” Therefore, if a superior person tells you to bear false witness against your brother, do not do it. Even thinking: “There may be a conflict, I will lose my job!” You will be blessed, you will be honored. God will say, “This is My man. I will give him a new job, more successful and prosperous.”

Peter and the Apostles answered and said: We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

Pharaoh ordered midwives to kill newborn Jewish boys.

But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt told them, and left the children alive. For this reason God did good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, He built their houses (Exodus 1:17-21).

God will always stand on the side of truth. God will not support a person in authority if he deviates from the truth.

Can he who hates the truth rule? And can you blame the All-Righteous? (Job 34:17)

We support power where power acts fairly and for the benefit of the people. And we even cooperate for the good, with any government. God dealt with Pharaoh for the salvation and well-being of the people, He gave prophetic dreams to Pharaoh, and Joseph became the catalyst, the conductor of God for the blessing of Egypt. But God does not participate in evil deeds.

God cooperated with many pagan kings. King Cyrus is even called the anointed one. And other kings who did His will. And we must support the authorities in the fact that they support God, what stands in God’s value system.

I really support our president in the fact that thanks to his rules, there are no gay pride marches in our country. Thank God, well done! But at the same time, I will never support the alcohol industry, which is supported by the state, I will never support snuff boxes. I will not support the casino. This is how a believer should act. We support authority in that which is consistent with God's purposes and plans. But we do not accept what is inconsistent and can even resist it.

Whatever ruler comes, do not indulge too much in the illusion of justice under earthly power. Jesus lived during the occupation of his country by the Romans and during the reign of Herod.

And He commanded them, saying: Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod (Mark 8:15).

Herod's leaven represents political power. As soon as people feel power (leaven), they begin to behave differently.

That day some of the Pharisees came and said to Him: Come out and get away from here, for Herod wants to kill You. And he said to them: Go, tell this fox: Behold, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third [day] I will finish (Luke 13:31-32).

Jesus called Herod a sly fox. In other words, He says to Herod: “You cannot limit Me, I will do what the Father has called Me to do.” The same Herod cut off the head of John the Baptist because John denounced Herod for his brother’s wife, whom he took for himself.

The Church is outside of politics. I'm a pastor - and I want to plant the Word of God in their minds. No matter who comes to me, I am open to everyone. Jesus did this. He healed the Roman centurion's servant. I can and will cooperate in any good deed.

The Church should not give in to any government, because it is the conscience of the nation. And, of course, the church and each of us personally can suffer from our government.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10).

For this is pleasing to God, if anyone, being mindful of God, endures tribulations, suffering unjustly (1 Peter 2:19).

We should not support the government in its lawlessness, because God does not support it. Lawlessness in power is the beginning of its end; sooner or later the winds of change will come and a different order will be established.

He crushes the strong without examination and puts others in their place; because He makes their deeds known and overthrows them by night, and they are destroyed. He strikes them as wicked people in the sight of others, because they turned away from Him and did not understand all His ways, so that the cry of the poor came to Him, and He heard the groaning of the oppressed (Job 34:24).

There is unrest all around. Therefore, you need to pray! People are very worried. They are even ready to give their lives to change something in this ever-changing world. Of course, the reason is that they are for the good life. But that's all they know. The Lord gives us and wants to give us not just a good life, but eternal life and abundant life.

Therefore, the prophet Daniel saw the following picture: an idol that symbolized all the kingdoms of the world, it contains gold, silver, copper, clay - what greatness! And suddenly he saw the stone come off the mountain. He flew with great speed, hit the idol on the legs - and it crumbled. He saw the stone growing and filling the whole earth. The stone is Jesus Christ and His birth. Light has come to this world. The truth has appeared. And he struck the idol at the feet - and all the kingdoms that were proud of their greatness began to tremble. And the kingdom of Jesus Christ, which will endure forever, is gaining momentum. This kingdom will become a mountain. All the kingdoms of this world will pass away. And we, as believers, need to look forward to and thirst for this kingdom.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, teaching us that, having rejected ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live chastely, righteously and godly in this present age, awaiting the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14).

Breaking news! On February 17, the forced eviction of the New Life Church from the building took place.

Cause and history of the conflict:

Is all power from God?

– The Bible says: “There is no authority except from God.” The existing powers were created by God.” How to correctly understand this phrase in the context of our time?

- Literally. The very principle of power is a Divine institution, it is necessary. Otherwise people will destroy each other.

- Government?

- Any. Even the power of an usher in a movie theater, an assistant teacher in a kindergarten, or a school principal. He can “pout”, but in reality he has no power, he is the most downtrodden creature in the world, who is afraid of losing his place, so he is ready to do any nasty things to the children, if only the authorities are happy, because from their hands he receives food. But if you leave small children alone for a week, then after this time you will collect a pile of corpses: they will scream, not eat, not sleep, and throw anything. The principle of authority keeps children from doing this. All people are equal in their capabilities before God, but the vesting of power gives a person authority, and thanks to this, order exists.

Revolution is anarchy. Some say: “He’s sucking up to Putin.” Not to Putin, but to the principle of state power. We come to France and may not even notice the president point-blank and not go to him for breakfast if he invites us, there is nothing valuable for us there. But he is endowed with power, he can give orders to the police and gendarmerie. In Paris there is a chic gendarmerie, they ride huge horses. The horses of the French gendarmes are one of the strongest impressions of my life. But it’s a paradox: our officer wears his uniform with pride, but in France he is forbidden to appear on the street in his uniform.

– It turns out that the government is destroying statehood and terrorizing the people. And this power is from God?

– All power is from God, but each individual person may not be from God, for example Adolf Hitler. He came to power in an absolutely democratic way, he was chosen by the German people. Then, however, there were several acts of usurpation. He, the legally elected chancellor, brought all the troubles for Germany and Europe. There must be mechanisms that, in the event of a mistake by the people, would allow re-elections to be carried out. There is an impeachment procedure for this. Of course, the fastest way is monarchical: the country chooses a king, he rules as long as he wants, and then prepares an heir for himself. The people can elect a successor or choose another king - there is no need to hold elections every time and cheat. There is an appropriate procedure in case the king is out of his mind, ill or out of date. Although we can see from our veterans, who are 90 years old: their heads are in place, in perfect order, they work like clockwork, and Zeldin still dances and sings for the whole people, God grant him good health. This is the only such artist in the whole world, people like him, no one is going to fire him and send him into retirement. Many people shout: “I’m tired of Putin!” Aren't you tired of Zeldin? It is not schoolchildren and housewives that should participate in elections (this should be completely excluded), but the smartest and most educated people among the people.

Archpriest Dimitry Smirnov

Priest Afanasy Gumerov answers:

Both supreme apostles, in full agreement with each other, say clearly and definitely: “Let every soul be submissive to the highest authorities, for there is no authority except from God; the existing authorities have been established by God. Therefore, he who resists authority resists God's institution. But those who resist will bring upon themselves condemnation” (Rom. 13:1-2). St. also speaks about this. Apostle Peter: “Be subject therefore to every human authority, for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to rulers, as those sent by him” (1 Pet. 2:13-14).

Let us remember that this was written under the emperor Nero, the first persecutor of Christians. These thoughts from Holy Scripture are sometimes a stumbling block for secular people who are accustomed to approaching events with political standards. Some believers, who do not understand the true nature of the Christian life, are trying to interpret these passages of the apostolic epistles in their own way. They mix their social and political likes and dislikes with spiritual concepts.

A literal understanding of the above statements does not lead to the justification of evil. We are not talking about the invasion of foreigners, but about the subordination of the authorities existing in society. The Christian understanding of humility does not mean reconciliation with untruth, but presupposes spiritual victory over evil. Our Savior said to the Apostle Peter, who struck the servant of the high priest with his sword: “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will present to Me more than twelve legions of Angels?” (Matthew 26:53).

But He did not do this, but followed the path of suffering on the cross, offered Himself as a Sacrifice and defeated the devil.
The Lord calls us : “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
We are all called to create in the image of our Teacher.
The saints walked this path and conquered evil spiritually. Great Martyr Demetrius was the ruler of the Solunsk region. He had an army under his command. However, when Emperor Maximian found out that he was a Christian and invited him to his place, St. Demetrius did not raise the region against him, but took the path of martyrdom. Our holy princes Boris and Gleb could have fought Svyatopolk, and perhaps they could have defeated him, but they disbanded their squads and performed the feat of passion-bearing. Now they are praying for us and helping us. Many such examples can be given. The centuries-old experience of the Church shows that Christian humility not only does not imply spiritual and moral compromise, but requires confessional feat from a disciple of Christ. Likewise, during the reign of the Antichrist, a Christian must be ready to die for Christ .
“He who leads into captivity will himself go into captivity; whoever kills with the sword must himself be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and faith of the saints” (Rev. 13:10). The Word of God indicates which path the faithful should follow when the atheistic power is allowed to go: “
patience and faith of the saints
.”