This blog is written to answer a question that you have probably not even asked. But you should have.
Recall when Jesus was asked about paying the poll tax. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all describe the affair. It was a trick to see if He would give Caesar divine right of authority.
Here is Mark’s account. Jesus was asked, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?" But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." And they brought one. And he said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Mark 12: 14-17 ESV)
Most of us have at least one thing in common with these first century citizens. We don’t like it. But we pay taxes. And Jesus says that is appropriate. But the question we in America need to ask is this. To whom do we render the taxes? In other words, who is our Caesar? Seeking this answer is not an exercise in futility. Think about it.
Although many presidents thought they should have been (starting with Andrew Jackson) we never had an American King. No human Caesar for us. So why do we pay taxes? Or obey any other laws for that matter? If the king doesn’t require it, why do we do it? Because we live under another kind of authority. We have a Congress that enacts laws, a President that executes laws, and a Court that examines laws. And the basis for that system is a Constitution.
In the same way that Caesar applied authority under Roman rule the Constitution governs the conduct of US residents. This point becomes central when we look at the key passage on a Christian’s response to government, Romans 13:1-7. Particularly significant are verses 1-2.
“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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”(ESV)
“Since the term (governing authorities) lacks the article and is plural, it probably refers to anyone in a governing position acting on behalf of and with the authority of the Roman government (cf. 1 Pet 2:14).” Greg Herrick
What does that mean for American Christians? Our governing authority by its own declaration and endorsement is the Constitution. At the Federal level of government we are bound to obedience to that remarkable document. (States, counties, towns, municipalities, etc. are not part of this discussion.) The Constitution is the authority that God has ordained to govern America.
Here is one way that works itself out. Verse 2 says that whoever resists authority, or opposes the Constitution in our case, even an elected official, has stood himself up against God. That’s serious business. Think about this when you vote or are asked to support a candidate. The spiritual condition of a candidate is eternally relevant but he or she does not have to be a Christian to govern well. According to these verses the primary need is that the candidate has and will continue to comply with God’s established government for Americans, the Constitution.
When we are faithful to the Constitution we are in obedience to God. You try to obey the law and respect God’s authority. Don’t contradict your principles by supporting a candidate who denies that authority through noncompliance to the Constitution.
