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Leaders -- Are All World Leaders
Ordained Of God?
Romans Chapter 13
It is widely accepted
that Romans chapter 13 is saying every person who has ever been
in what we call "power," was put there by God. This is even the
wicked people, like Hitler. This belief is simply not the truth. God
allows the wicked to get into high places, but does not actually place
them there.
Scripture says, (2 Samuel) He
that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
Scripture also says, (Hosea)
They
have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it
not.
These excerpts from scripture show that a person who
rules over men must be just and ruling in the fear of God, and that some
kings are not put there by God.
Scripture will never
contradict scripture. So with this in mind let's read through the first
four verses in Romans chapter 13. Let's also keep something else in mind.
Let's remember that sometimes scripture speaks in a matter-a-fact manner.
Sometimes the Lord's word is simply telling it like it
is.
Romans 13
1Let
every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of
God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Yes, we are
to be subject unto the higher powers. But just who are those "higher
powers?" Verse one says that there is no power but of God, the
powers-that-be are ordained of God. Do you see it?
Any real
power-that-be is of God and ordained of God. What does this say about all
others who hold office? It says that they are not true powers because
true powers are of and ordained by
God.
2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth
the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves
damnation.
Those who resist the true powers-that-be are
not of God. They resist the ordinance of God, and as a result, resist the
true powers-that-be. They receive to themselves damnation because they are
not of God. Hence these are the people who seek to put into leadership, a
man of the world. Remember the world receives and loves its
own.
3For
rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not
be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise
of the same:
True powers-that-be, true rulers, are not a
terror to good works. Instead true rulers who are of God are terrors to
the evil in this world. True rulers will seek to put an end to evil works,
not to good works.
4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But
if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in
vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him
that doeth evil.
There are men. Then there are REAL men.
There are rulers. Then there are REAL rulers! And a REAL ruler is a
minister of God to those under him (the ruler).
A real ruler will
seek to teach people to do good, not evil. And while we are under such a
true ruler, we should be afraid to do evil. This is because a leader has
the ability to punish. (Note: This is not saying that a leader can take
his own vengeance on criminals and kill them. Scripture says that
vengeance belongs to the Lord.)
However a wicked leader
punishes good and rewards evil. A wicked leader actually teaches,
ministers wickedness instead of godliness. So, no. God does not put the
wicked into places of
leadership. |
