1 Peter 2:13-14 “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, (14) or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.”
In the above quoted passage of scripture the apostle Peter teaches the church the same principle as the apostle Paul. He adds to it by telling us that the reason we submit ourselves to the authorities is for the Lord’s sake. Nevertheless he does reinforce the truth that the authorities are there to punish evildoers and reward those who do well.
Leviticus 24:17-22 “Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death. (18) Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, animal for animal. (19) 'If a man causes disfigurement of his neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him-- (20) fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him. (21) And whoever kills an animal shall restore it; but whoever kills a man shall be put to death. (22) You shall have the same law for the stranger and for one from your own country; for I am the Lord your God.'”
The above quoted passage of scripture gives us some insight into what God means when He tells the governments of the earth to use the sword. This passage very clearly teaches the principle that God expects the punishment incurred for a transgression to be in direct proportion to the offense committed. In other words, the punishment should not be lighter than the offence, but neither should it be more severe than the offense committed either, and in that way justice must be served. And so governments that are obedient to use the sword appropriately can expect to receive the blessing of God.
Michael E.B. Maher
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