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Yesterday, I argued that submission—which I defined as deference to authority and obedience to law—should be the Christian’s fundamental attitude toward government. I also noted that Acts 5.29 qualifies the extent of that submission when the state makes and enforces fundamentally unjust laws. But submission describes only the responsibility of the Christian citizen. What is the responsibility of the state? What is government for? 

Once again, let’s read Romans 13.1-5: 

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 

Paul makes four statements about government in these verses: 

First, in relationship to God, government is a servant. God “established” and “instituted” it to serve certain purposes. When it acts within the boundaries of those purposes, it is a good servant. But when it oversteps the boundaries of those purposes, it becomes a bad master. The totalitarian governments of the Twentieth Century—both Nazi and Communist—are excellent illustrations of governments that overstepped their boundaries. 

Second, in relationship to us, government is an authority. God delegates government both the authority and the power to make and enforce laws. Obviously, that authority can be abused. But try to imagine a world in which there are neither laws nor law enforcement. Such a world is a hell on earth in which only the law of the jungle prevails. Governmental authority, properly exercised, creates peace. 

Third, the most obvious characteristic of government is the sword. Government exercises its authority and power by means of force. When a crime is committed, the police force swings into action against the criminal. When another country commits an atrocity against our nation, the armed forces retaliate with self-defensive moves. Again, the sword can be misused and abused. (Always remember, after all, that Pontius Pilate used his God-given power of the sword to kill God’s Beloved Son.) But sometimes, criminal force must be matched by legal counterforce. 

Finally, the purpose of government is justice. Government exists to commend what is right and punish what is wrong. Many in our day and age say that we should not legislate morality. And I agree to a certain extent. Not every sin is or should be a crime. But at the end of the day, what else is there to legislate but morality? Government exists to make and enforce laws that protect the weak from the strong, the innocent from the guilty, the gullible from the shrewd, and the victim from the victimizer. That is its fundamental responsibility, what it’s for.