Thoughts on the Nature of Government

Government is a very interesting topic these days. There is always talk of the federal government and what it is doing or not doing that is good or bad. We read of corruption, greed and ignorance on the part of those involved with our government on both federal and state levels, even down to our local governments. Scandals and shady dealings seem to be the norm of the day when speaking about government. But could it be that we are looking at government the wrong way as a nation? Could it be that we as individuals have never been taught what true government is, what its purpose is and what is the most powerful form of government? I know that I was taught in my school that there is no greater form of government than our federal government. But through the years I have discovered that teaching is simply not true. To refute that idea we must first understand what government is. According to Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary government is "control, direction, regulation and restraint." That seems pretty simple. But listen to a statement made by the Dutch jurist, statesman and theologian, Hugo Grotius as he describes the breadth of government. He said "He knows not how to rule a kingdom, that cannot manage a Province; nor can he wield a Province, that cannot order a city; nor he order a city, that knows not how to regulate a Village; nor he a Village, that cannot guide a Family; nor can that man govern well a Family that knows not how to govern himself; neither can he govern himself unless reason be Lord, will and appetite her vassals; nor can reason rule unless herself be ruled by God, and (wholly) be obedient to Him." What wisdom! It seems that we may have things backwards. According to Grotius, the most powerful form of government is Christian self-government, where our reason is ruled by God and is obedient to Him. We live in a world today where people's passions run almost totally unrestrained. We are in bondage to our own lusts and desires and do not know how to deny ourselves even though we know what we are involved in is bad for us. We need to rediscover the truth that the greatest form of govenrment that exists is when men, under the control of God's Spirit and in obedience to His Word, begin to act like men of reason and not men of impulse and passion. We need to learn to rule ourselves, so that we can rule our families properly, so that we can then rule in our towns with justice and equity. You see, control, direction, regulation and restraint must first take place internally before it can be properly expressed externally. We must learn to do right regardless of the consequences, to uphold the Word of God as the standard of truth and justice in our personal lives, in our families, in our schools, and churches before it can be effective in our cities, counties, states, and nation. That is called taking personal responsibility. Nothing will change until we take responsibility for governing ourselves. That, I believe, is God's plan. May He give us the grace to govern ourselves and do what is right according to His Word.