July 4, will be our nation's birthday. There is much talk today about church and government.

It has been my observation that many Christians do not know what the Bible says about government, and when you tell them, they don't want to accept it.

According to the Bible, government did not originate with man, but with God. Because mankind has fallen to sin, government has been given to keep order in society and to keep the sinful nature of man from having total freedom by passing laws that conform to the laws of God and by punishing those who break laws.

The Apostle Paul gives a discourse on this in the book of Romans. Romans 13:1-4 reads: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers (government). For there is no power but of God: The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive of themselves damnation (judgment). For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.

"Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have the praise of the same. For he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

There are many truths that can be gleaned from these simple verses about government.

Government is ordained of God. Therefore, government officials are ministers of God and should pass laws that conform to the highest law - God's law. This is seen in the fact that those who resist, "resisteth the ordinance of God." When lawbreakers are punished, lawmakers are carrying out the wrath or judgment of God.

However, for those who do good and obey the law, they should be praised or rewarded by the government. In our country, freedom is the greatest reward.

Today, politicians would laugh at the idea that they are ministers of God. They would say, "We have been elected to obey the voice of the people without any regard to the voice of God. What is moral and right is not based upon the absolute Word of God but on consensus and what belief will get us the most votes."

In our courts, judgment is thrown out the window many times because we can't even decide on what is right and wrong. It is sad that issues are decided upon by whether we are Democrat or Republican or whether we are liberal or conservative.

Issues should be decided upon by whether they are right or wrong. It is sad that if a politician ran on the platform that he or she would do what is right, he or she would be condemned by the people. They would ask, "Who are you to tell me what is right and what is wrong.?"

Whether we like it or not God's word is the basis of right and wrong not just for the Christian, but for the world. And God is presently judging the nations by His law.

The saying in the book of Proverbs is still true today whether we agree with it or not. "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

James Kearns is pastor of Baldknob United Brethren Church, Kitts Hill.