El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-27
49, Rom. rs. IL.


II THE 22d chapter Of st. Matthew
we are told that an attempt was
made on the part Of the Pharisees TO
entangle Jesus in his talk. The ques-
ton was put TO him: Tell US, what
thinkest thou? Is It lawful 20 give
tribute unto Caesar or not2" Although
this was a very delicate question, the
Master is not overcome. He at once
saw their wicked intentions and said;
.Why tempt ye me. ye hypocrites-
And when they had showed him the
pennv he had called for. he said;
whose is the image and subscrip-
fiong' and they said unto him 'Cae-
sar's." then said he unto them Ken
der unto Caesar the things wnlcn are
Caesars and unto the God the things
that are Gods"
Jesus did not choose between ale
glance TO the Roman government on
the one hand and the popularity Win
the Jewish masses on the other. 9lt
takes the chance to teach Taluao-e
lesson Of the twOfOld duty OF an true
children Of God. namely their duty 70
ward God and their duty toward me
civil authorities
The Christians Duty.
Let US. therefore. ask the question,
what is the Christians duty toward
his country. and answer this Dy
drawing the answer from our text
This subject is quite important AT
the present time. When we CONSIDER
the unsettled conditions IN so many
countries OF the world at this time,
the wars and revolutions which are
going on. we might be lnchned 10
think that the governments have Ut
terlv failed OF their purpose
When we remember that there IS
much dishonesty and corruption IN the
administration OF the affairs or the
state. we might come TO the CONCLUSION
that Christians ought TO have nothing
10 do whatever with them But thar
would be a grave mistake. JndouDt-
edly the Christians AZ Rome, 70 whom
the apostle addresses these words or
our text. also imagined they ought 70
have nothing 10 do with the atIalrs OF I
the Roman empire. They had the IN
descrfbable corruption in the admin
istration Of public affairs under
Nero and his like, constantly before
their eyes beyond a doubt they were
thoroughly disguised with the civic .
and moral debauchery OF the men IN Z
authority, and vet the apostle earn I
estly admonished them to remember I
that there is a certain relation be- I
tween the civil government 70 which J
they were subject and their Christian I
He tells them that they I
must LEE4E nE SUBJECT 10 ANAH pa aAEaA
powers for conscience sake" The I
same is true Of Us IN our day.
Is Ordained OF God.
What is civil governments When 4
Is Il properly constituted our text 1
answers this question by saying The !
powers that be, are ordained OF God"
Il is not necessary for rs TO enquire
how the government under which we I
i've got into power, whether all the I
steps that were taken to acquire this
power were regular and in accordance
with the ethical requirements OF the
avs OF God God makes no Specific
demands as to the FORM Of such gov
eminent The only question to settle
s this; Does the government exist,
has u authority and the power TO pre-
serve order in the land. and TO provide
Tor the safety and vel being OF the
5eople2 II so. then Il Is Of Cod and
entitled TO respect and conscientious
'DeratiOn and obedience OF every
Christian within its boundaries
What are the proper functions Of a
government. which has acquired the
lower 70 rule and which. therefore, IS
4 GOd2 Our text SAYS. Rulers are
lot a terror to good works but 70 the
vii Wilt thou then be afraid Of the
.ower2 DO that which is good and
hou shalt have praise Of the same.
Tor he is the minister OF God 70 thee
or good. BIT II thou 90 that which
s evil. be afraid for he beareth not