Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 2 Chronicles 19:6–7
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2 Chronicles 19:6–7
From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
Concerning Political Order
Our opponents received the Sixteenth Article without challenge. We confessed therein that it is lawful for a Christian to hold public office, be a judge, resolve matters by the imperial laws, and other laws in present force, impose just punishments, engage in just wars, be a soldier, make legal contracts, hold property, take an oath when magistrates require it, and contract marriage. Legitimate public ordinances are good creations of God and divine ordinances in which a Christian may safely participate.
Pulling It Together: God is the final authority; all authority comes from him. Every governing power exists because of God (Rom 13:1). This is why Christians may serve in public office or be otherwise employed by governments. These necessary vocations are callings in which people are to act for the Lord. Faithful people may serve well in these various public positions, knowing that they serve the Lord by doing so.
This does not mean that every government is just, nor is any one government perfect. If Christians serve the public, let those servants know that they function within a human organization. All political orders will be wanting in one degree or another. So, let that man and woman understand that they do not merely serve the public; ultimately, they serve the Lord in their offices and duties. May they do so with reverence and fear of the Lord.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, move our leaders to serve in the fear of God. Amen.
The Spiritual Realms is a nine-session Bible Study series on Heaven and Hell and places beyond this world. Specifically, the study looks at the many “place names” that are found throughout Scripture, referring to spiritual realms of existence that underlie and comprise the universe God created. This Bible Study series is a challenging one, in that it explores realities of existence beyond what we know and experience everyday.
Author
Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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