Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When it comes to your righteousness before God, it does NOT come by works. You are righteous by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11) Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”. (Galatians 3)
The Scriptures teach the doctrine of the TWO KINGDOMS. The Lord is at work in both for your GOOD.
God’s Right and Left Hand Kingdoms
With the left hand, God uses temporal authority which He establishes for the sake of restraining evil in society. This temporal authority is given the tool of the sword to restrain evil. Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.... He is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. (Romans 13)
This authority is exercised in rulers, public servants, judges, law enforcement, and the military. God’s left hand is used for punishment against law-breakers and evil-doers.
Government is NOT to oppose God on – Life, Marriage, Gender, & Children. The church is to call public servants to repentance for those who oppose God. Therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. (Psalm 2)
The Lord commands us to pray for those who serve in government to provide a peaceful place for us to conduct our lives. We ask that the Lord would bless our country with wise and noble rulers. That they would not be given to bribes or corruption. I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2)
God's Right Hand Kingdom He rules by the power of the Gospel. Jesus Christ Crucified, Risen, and Ascended. The Lord is reigning and ruling by the power of His WORD, Law and Gospel, serving you with the Means of Grace.
God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. He put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1)
The church’s God-given job is to rebuke sin and forgive it where there is repentance. The government’s Godgiven job is to keep the temporal peace by establishing civic laws and punishing those who do not obey.
Rejoice that the Lord is at work in both His Right and Left Hand Kingdom for your GOOD. Of these Kingdoms only one is eternal – the Lord's Right Hand Kingdom – in which the Lord serves you with the riches of forgiveness through the WORD OF GOD.
We trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20)
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.