Knock Out The Tooth

6. Civic Government as an Extension of God’s Justice (Romans 13:1-7)

• Romans 13:1-2: Submission to governing authorities.
• Governments are established by God to maintain order and justice.1 Peter 2:13-14 – “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.”
• There is a role of civic authorities and we have responsibility to obey the laws that coincide with God’s laws. This is why we rejected the law during covid. God’s laws supersede man’s law
• But God allows and institutes civic law to rule society (Civic, ecclesiastical, family, individual)
• Romans 13:3-4: Rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil. This says The purpose of government is to punish evil and reward good. When they don’t do this, they are lost. 
• Hear me on this- and this is why its important to understand this principled description of God’s justice- God demands retribution upon evil doers. In OT was Israel, in NT times, it’s civic gov
• Paul recognized Rome as an instrument of God’s justice. Modern gov is still used by God. 
• Civic punishment either through theocratic Israel or democratic US takes the honus of responsibility off the hands of the individual and provides them Justice and closure. 
• As Christians, you cannot separate your politics from Christianity. God still judges nations
• You want to support leaders and laws that uphold God’s laws- Punishment of evildoers, protection of the vulnerable, protection of the unborn. Civic law should mirror God’s law
• Vote in line w God’s moral laws. Necessity to mirror bible is connected to preaching Gospel. 
• When evil doers are allowed to run free, we cease to be a safe just society and it ceases to reflec the nature and character of God that punishes evildoers. Everyone can have forgiveness

7. Divine Retribution and Personal Grace (Romans 12:17-21)

• Romans 12:17-19: “Repay no one evil for evil… Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath.
• This means that God commands us to leave vengeance to Him and not take matters into our own hands (we’ll talk about personal defense in future). Civic is God’s hands- we don’t avenge
• Proverbs 20:22 – “Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil’; wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”
• Jesus talks about not taking matters into our hands, and leaving justice to God
• Civic government is the means of God’s punishment, we are supposed to have civic gov that does that for us, so for us, we trust that God’s justice will prevail and not take it on us
• This is why you can bring a legal grievance to a court and ask them to hand out justice
• But our PERSONAL application is to love and pray for those who hurt us. Not hold Grudge
• You should apply personal forgiveness and leave justice to God. Heart forgiveness doesn’t equal release from the punishment of the wicked- you can forgive a murderer and still have him die
• Romans 12:20-21: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.”
• When we Overcome evil with good we reflect Christ’s teaching. (most of what you will do will not be having to deal with a murderer, it will be interpersonal relationships)
• This doesn’t negate punishment though its our heart condition on those who hurt us
• I can love you, give you a drink of water and still know that you can be punished for wrong. 
• Luke 6:27-28 – “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
• We need to Practice grace and mercy in our personal relationships. Forgive more. Love more. 

8. God is a God of Justice and Mercy

• Exodus 21:12-27 emphasizes just consequences for actions towards individual lawbreakers
• Justice is Righteousness it Reflects God’s holy and righteous nature. He makes things right
• Psalm 89:14 – “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.”
• Mercy is Compassion: forgiveness and leniency. God doesn’t give everyone what they deserve
• Lam 3:22-23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.”
• Mercy as Grace: Unmerited favor and kindness toward those who deserve punishment.
• God’s Character is in Ephesians 2:4-5 – even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.”

10. The Wrath of God and the Breaking of God’s Law

• We talk about the justice and mercy of God, but God’s character being what it is, whoever breaks God’s law must be dealt with. It must be atoned for. No one escapes God’s demands. 
• Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”
• God’s nature is holy and just. His wrath is a righteous response to sin and rebellion against His laws.
• Justice Demands Punishment: Ensures that wrongdoing is addressed and that there are consequences. If there is no punishment, you can’t understand mercy- what forgiven from?
• We cannot break God’s laws and not be punished. And everyone has broken God’s laws
• Romans 3:23  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
• Humanity’s universal condition is sinfulness, violating God’s holy standards. MUST BE DEALT W
• 1 John 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
• God’s Requirement is to Punish Sin Romans 6:23a  “For the wages of sin is death…”
• Sin incurs a penalty of death, both physical and spiritual, as a just consequence of breaking God’s law. Ezekiel 18:4 The soul who sins shall die.”
• Romans 2:5-6 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds.'”
• But PRAISE GOD there is A WAY to escape God’s wrath- there is a way to be SET FREE
• The Provision of Grace through Jesus Christ Romans 3:24-26 READ- …being justified freely  
• Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate example of balancing justice and mercy.
• Justice was Satisfied: Romans 3:25-26 – Jesus’ death satisfies the demands of justice for sin.
• Mercy was Extended: John 3:16 – Through Jesus, God’s mercy is extended to humanity.
• Jesus’ death on the cross is the atoning sacrifice that satisfies God’s wrath and reconciles humanity to God. We must accept this mercy and grace through FAITH in CHRIST. 
• Ro 5:1 having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 2 Co 5:17  if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” When you Come to JESUS- EVERYTHING IS FORGIVEN> 
• The believer’s life is transformed by God’s grace, leading to a new way of living.
• Now we live Out Grace and Mercy in all of our relationships. We are saved, we forgive others because we ourselves have been forgiven. We do not live to punish others. Not our job
• There are many people out there that are not born again because they were never saved. 
• SAVED-from Sin BORN AGAIN– From dead works NEW CREATION-Old man gone
• If you’ve never acknowledged your sin before God and asked to be forgiven- you are not saved- 
• Our exodus scripture sets out wrath for wrongdoing- today, there is wrath for those who reject the free grace of Jesus Christ that wants to forgive sin and give new life to everyone
• We experience that in our lives- and now Jesus teaches us to respond to wrongdoing with grace and mercy, reflecting God’s own character. 
• Matt 5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Does not mean we take abuse, but it does mean we don’t live in retaliation
• We don’t live eye for an eye or tooth for a tooth- we don’t respond in same way- grace. 
• Again, this doesn’t negate the necessity of punishment for wrongdoers- personal v civic
• We must Practice forgiveness, patience, and love in daily interactions.
• Don’t be the person who is out there keeping score and extracting a tooth for a tooth

If you haven’t been saved, come. If you’re holding a grudge, release. Live in grace.