November 2016. It is amazing how many people think that separation of church and state means keeping God out of government and the public discourse. That is far from the truth when we look at Scripture.

LET EVERY person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment. 2 Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them]. 3 For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation. 4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer. -Romans 13:1-4 Amplified Version

How should we act toward the State Authorities – those higher powers here in the earth realm?

Paul moves directly to the matter of the specific responsibility of the Christian toward government authorities. What is spoken in Paul's time, applies to us even now in the twenty first century.

Paul’s viewpoint in Romans 13:1-4 expresses the normal Jewish attitude toward government. The King James Version states that every soul should be subject to the higher powers. These are those State authorities also know as “civil authorities,” “government authorities,” “the authorities that are over mankind,” “supreme authorities”. Historically, this phrase have been understood as a reference to the state authorities of Paul’s day (specifically, the Roman government), and there is no valid reason for departing from this view-point.

It is vital that we understand, being not ignorant to the affairs of our country. Believers are to walk in wisdom and knowledge in every area of live, including government. And because of this great need, I am going to list some facts as to why we as a people should vote.

The government of the United States of America is the federal government of the republic of fifty states that constitute the United States, as well as one capital district, and several other territories. The Constitution of the United States divides the federal government into three branches to ensure a central government in which no individual or group gains too much control:

1. Legislative – Makes laws (Congress)

2. Executive – Carries out laws (President, Vice President, Cabinet)

3. Judicial – Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and Other Courts)

Each branch of government can change acts of the other branches as follows:

* The president can veto laws passed by Congress.

* Congress confirms or rejects the president's appointments and can remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances.

* The justices of the Supreme Court, who can overturn unconstitutional laws, are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

The U.S. federal government seeks to act in the best interests of its citizens through this system of checks and balances.

Legislative Branch

The legislative branch enacts legislation, confirms or rejects presidential appointments, and has the authority to declare war.

This branch includes Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives) and several agencies that provide support services to Congress.

American citizens have the right to vote for senators and representatives through free, confidential ballots.

* Senate - There are two elected senators per state, totaling 100 senators. A senate term is six years and there's no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve.

* House of Representatives - There are 435 elected representatives, which are divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. There are additional non-voting delegates who represent the District of Columbia and the territories. A representative serves a two-year term, and there's no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve.

Executive Branch

The executive branch carries out and enforces laws. It includes the president, vice president, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees.

American citizens have the right to vote for the president and vice president through free, confidential ballots.

Key roles of the executive branch include:

* President - The president leads the country. He/she is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. The president serves a four-year term and can be elected no more than two times.

* Vice President - The vice president supports the president. If the president is unable to serve, the vice president becomes president. He/she can serve an unlimited number of four-year terms.

* The Cabinet - Cabinet members serve as advisors to the president. They include the vice president and the heads of executive departments. Cabinet members are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (with at least 51 votes).

Judicial Branch

The judicial branch interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases, and decides if laws violate the Constitution.

The judicial branch is comprised of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.

* Supreme Court - The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. The justices of the Supreme Court are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (with at least 51 votes). Congress decides the number of justices. Currently, there are nine.

There is no fixed term for justices. They serve until their death, retirement, or removal in exceptional circumstances.

* Other Federal Courts - The Constitution grants Congress the authority to establish other federal courts.

There is an obligation expressed that everyone must obey the governing rules. This is why we MUST vote for rulers who will make right and Godly decisions. State authorities are simply “the rulers,” “those that have the power,” or shall I say, "those who have their hands on the button.”

The second part of verse 1 of Romans chapter 13 says "the powers that be are ordained of God." This is stated in the amplifed as "for there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment. In other words, no one has power to rule unless God permits him to have it or even more simple, only if God permits a person to rule does he have such power.

We are preparing for our 2016 elections and the two running are in their final hours. People must know and understand that if there is a ruler, then God is the one who has made him such, and only God has given power to those who rule, or let me put it another way, those who have power rule because God has made it so.

What God has ordered, arranged, or established must be adhered to. Anyone who resist will bring judgment on himself.

For those who do good have no need to be afraid of rulers or him who have authority; only those who do evil must be afraid of rulers. Bottom line, if you would like to be unafraid of those in authority, then do what is good. When you do, you will have their approval.

For he is God’s servant working for your own good. Those who walk in authority are supposedly God’s agents working for your good. The state is there to serve God for your benefit. His power to punish is real. The sword is a symbol of the government official’s power to punish, and the words “in vain” is saying to us that it is not for nothing that he has that power. The person such as that high ranking officer called "President" "Vice-President" "Governor" Senator, etc., is able to punish and he does if he or she deems it necessary. The power he or she is given by the people is real.

God gave man government to establish freedoms and boundaries. May we reflect His loving-kindness and righteous judgments in our government.