A Good Question:

The recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document regarding "right wing extremism" was a topic of conversation. [Some contend that DHS is saying that people with conservative beliefs are being classified as "terrorists." I think there's more to the document than that and that we conservatives are deliberately blowing it out of context for political theater, which I don't like.] However...

In response I,(probably smugly,) trotted out my usual quote of Romans 13:1-8:

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities..."
"Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?
Then do what is right and he will commend you."

Shortly after, I received the following reply from a gentleman I had not yet met:

"Is it being suggested that 6 million Jews (not to mention the 5 million or so non-Jews) had nothing to fear from their govt (Rom 13:3)? How about the 20 million under Stalin / Lenin or the 30 million under Mao?

I am sure, based on the blanket application of this scripture, that these combined 60+ million folks had nothing to fear from their respective governments."

- R.F.

Now THAT is an excellent question! As a conservative from rural areas where right-wing militias are prevelant, this topic of "Christian Response to An Ungodly Government" has come up frequently and sometimes has resulted in tragic consequences. This topic really deserves a posting and I'm going to do one next, but first we have to get one thing straight.

Before we can address any particular policy, government position or Christian response, the first question you must have answered is the most important:

"Am I willing to do what God's Word tells me to do?"

I believe the correct and complete answer to this question is "Yes." If there are any qualifications or reservations or "Yes, buts..." you will stumble on this issue and be succeptible to Satan's influence.

Are you willing to do what God's Word tells you to do?

If the answer is "Yes!" then proceed to the next post. If the answer is anything else, you have much more important issues to resolve beyond those involving our government and I recommend you spend your time on that issue instead.