1/ Government. I know there are those who are suspicious of government. Men are fallible, sinful, liable to corruption, therefore there's nothing wrong in having a healthy skepticism about politicians. But that's not what I'm talking about. Government in principle is from God.

2/ If you are a Christian and disagree with this then look at it again - take Christianity itself - we were saved by grace alone through faith alone (Amen!) but in order that the Spirit may rule our lives, that we may bring forth fruit unto holiness, that Christ may "reign" in

3/ our lives (if you doubt me, read Romans). Back to government. Before the days of Noah as far as we read in the biblical account there were no nations, and no national government as such. The antediluvian world descended into moral corruption and violence. Following the Flood

4/ God told Noah that He would introduce government. When a life was taken through violence then the purpitrator must forfeit his life in turn (Gen 9:6) capital punishment. This is what Paul is referring to in Rom 13:4 "he does not bear the sword in vain." This is not conditional

5/ upon whether the government is made up of good men, or wicked men, or even the form of government: monarchical, autocratic, democratic, republican etc. In fact the wicked ruler Nero was the government when Paul wrote this (and he executed Paul). Did he bear the sword in vain?

6/ So if a society descends to such a level that everyone is doing what is right in his own eyes, and some men call this liberty, then you no longer have government but anarchy. Anarchy is not of God - He has given us government for our own good and for His glory. It is God's

7/ ordinance just as the institution of marriage is - despite bad marriages, abusive men, all the things corrupt men do to twist the institution, it is still God's despite that. And he who despises government despises the one who gave it. #Government