"God, Government, and the Gospel: What the Bible Says About Government"
- Heather Erdmann
- Jun 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 4
Maybe you’re like me and were aware that both Canada and the United States celebrate “Independence Day” each July.
But did you know that there are actually 25 countries that celebrate independence in July?! August has even more, with 27, and September follows closely with 23!
(If you want to read more and see a map, check it out here.)
The sheer numbers above show us that seeking freedom and peace from oppressive governments and authorities is a result of living in this sinful, fallen world.
Yet, as Christians, we want to know what the Bible says about government, how God uses it for our protection and prosperity, and how we can honor God and the authorities He has established.
God and What the Bible Says About Government
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)
One of the best places to start in understanding what the Bible says about government and the Christian’s role and responsibility towards it is Romans 13:1-6. It reassures us that this is God’s design for our protection and prosperity. In a sinful world, we need order and authority to restrain evil and promote good. Without it, our world would be in chaos, as happened during the time of the Judges in the Old Testament:
In those days, Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. (Judges 21:25)
Even bad government is better than none at all. Otherwise, we would be at the mercy of the consequences of evil committed by others:
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:4)
Because God is ultimately in control, He is not surprised by the outcome of an election. Anyone who rules or governs only has power because God—the one who holds all the power—has permitted it.
Governments exist to promote order and peace and to prevent lawlessness. Of course, authority can be abused and evil rulers exist—but when rightly applied, government is one of God’s gifts to us.
Justice and Morality
The government creates laws for us to obey, to help keep law and order in society.
God has also established His law for us in Scripture, but God’s law is not something we can keep perfectly. The Bible is not primarily a rulebook for us to follow—although its principles, rightly applied, are for our good.
God’s law was designed to show us that we are sinners in need of a Savior because we have all broken His law.
The Bible’s main message is to tell us to believe in the only One who has kept the law perfectly on our behalf and took our punishment for breaking it.
The Bible also tells us that God has written His law on our hearts:
For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, (Romans 2:14-15)
This is why we all share a common morality or “moral compass”. We inherently know what is good and bad, right and wrong. No one needs to be told that murder, rape, adultery, lying, and theft are evil, because that internal sense of morality is hard-wired into each of us whether people acknowledge God or not. That is why we call those things “immoral.” Without God’s plumbline of truth, which defines what is “good” and what is “evil,” everything would be just a matter of personal preference, and chaos would ensue.
And because we inherently know good from evil, we also have an internal sense of justice. There is something inside each of us that cries out for wrongdoing to be punished and virtue to be rewarded.
Yet, without God’s standard of moral absolutes, how could we demand justice without a supreme Judge? That is where God’s gift of government helps us uphold justice and peace.
What the Bible Says About the Government, Justice & Mercy
The government was established to uphold the law and justice, to promote good and punish evil.
God’s law was established to do the same. When we break the laws of our country, we will be held accountable. We will also be held accountable for breaking God’s laws. Justice will ensure that evil is punished and peace upheld.
Our problem is that we have all broken God’s laws and have incurred a debt we cannot repay. Our sin is against the eternal, infinite God and therefore deserves eternal punishment.
The difference between the two is that if we break our government’s laws, WE will suffer the punishment, but if we break God’s laws, Jesus has already taken our punishment for us on the cross.
Justice has been upheld because the crimes were punished. God showed us mercy by sending Jesus to pay the sin debt we could not afford.
True Freedom in Christ
As we celebrate political independence and freedom, wherever we are in this world, we can thank God for His design of the order and authority that help protect and prosper us. Independence Day is a wonderful reminder of being set free from oppression or injustice.
But more importantly, we have been set free from the oppression of sin because of the finished work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because He kept God’s law perfectly and took the punishment we deserved for breaking that law, we are now free from sin, death, the devil, and our flesh when we trust in Jesus alone—the only One who kept the law perfectly for us—for our salvation.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
This is true freedom and something to celebrate today and every day!
“The justice we demand and the freedom we crave are both fulfilled in Jesus.”
How We Can Honor God with Our Freedom
We must always obey God over government, whenever the government orders us to do anything that contradicts God’s Word. But, there are ways we can honor Him through prayer and submission to the authorities He has established.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Pray for our leaders – 1 Timothy 2:1–3
Honor rightful authority – 1 Peter 2:13–17
Use your freedom to serve others – Galatians 5:13
For more insight on what the Bible says about government, check out the recommended reading below!
And, if you enjoyed this article, please join me monthly to grow in your understanding of “What the Bible Says About…” Christian living topics with helpful life application tips, book recommendations, free resources, and more to live out what you learn, right here:
Recommended Reading for God and Government: What the Bible Says About Government
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