Romans 13:1-5 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (2) Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. (4) For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. (5) Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.”
Nevertheless the scriptures clearly teach us that God judges people that contravene a nation’s laws. So how does God do that? The above passage declares that God gives governments the authority to enforce their laws through the use of the sword. In other words God not only authorises, but also requires governments as His ministers, to punish their citizens when they transgress a nation’s laws. In this passage the Holy Spirit warns people to be fearful of breaking the law, because their governments are God’s avengers executing wrath on those who transgress. This implies that God expects societies to have effective law enforcement structures in place, i.e. police, judiciary and penal systems so that swift justice can be served in their communities. Consequently it is in societies where the rule of law is strictly enforced that people are fearful of breaking the law.
Michael E.B. Maher
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