Topic: God’s Plan For Governments [Tony Evans Ministry 30 December 2019]
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God’s Plan For Governments
Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.” – (Isaiah 46:9–10)
You were created in the image of God. All humanity was created in the image of God. The governments of men, then, which have been established by God, are to mirror (image) themselves after God. They are to reflect God and His nature.
God is Trinitarian in essence. He is One (unity of being and purpose) composed of three distinct persons (diversity of function in history).Therefore, human governments are to be united by the one purpose of living under and reflecting the rule of God, while simultaneously manifesting and modeling that rule through the diversity of the three governmental institutions He has established to reflect Him.
God’s kingdom agenda is accomplished through decentralized institutions on earth. Not in a partisan, political way, but rather through multiple governing authorities with distinct spheres of responsibility, jurisdictions, and sanctions. All these governing authorities are to rule under His divine authority.
This means that God doesn’t want all of the power concentrated in any one governing authority. It is His intention that there be only one centralized Governor and one centralized Power in the universe: Him. God is the only One who can claim absolute power in the universe. All other authorities must have checks and balances. Satan’s kingdom, on the other hand, is always organized top-down and centralized. He is the consummate cosmic empire builder, which is why his kingdom only enslaves.
Governments patterned after God’s decentralized institutions will promote freedom and expansion for their citizens and members. It is in the productivity of its members that the government itself will likewise flourish.
Reflection: Why is it important that God didn’t put all power in any one place? Who are the authorities in your life, in your various spheres? How are you to respond to these authority figures? How do you respond to them? What do you need to change in your response to them?
Only You, Lord, can claim absolute authority over Your creation. And yet You have also established governing bodies beneath You. Bless these that they may reflect Your goodness in what they do.
