In order to maintain a better way of life, rules and regulations have to be legislated, then carried out. To live in harmony and have productive lives, these laws must be obeyed. Without them, disorder and confusion is unavoidable. This is true whether it be within our nation, our home, and in our church.

God's Government Is Needed In a Nation

That God's government is necessary in a nation is seen as far back as the Mosaic Dispensation. "And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them" (Deut. 5:1). The nation of Israel was not exempt of a government upon their liberation from Egypt. Imagine, if you will, if they would have said, "Now that we are free, let us each be our own master and rule as we will." The result would have been division and strife within themselves. But God, full of mercy, made the Hebrews his people, setting forth His covenant, giving them a better way to live toward Him, toward each other, and toward oneself. This government gave them order and instruction. It also allowed them to work and worship together as a nation truly united under one God.

God's Government Is Needed In the Home

The home is not exempt from having government. We are living in an age where government in the home has just about been abandoned. We have single fathers and single mothers raising children. Some of them think they can do a better job raising their kids by themselves. Then, there are fathers and mothers surrendering their role as parents and letting the children rule. And then they wonder why their children are so rebellious and disrespectful toward them. There are also husbands handing over their authority to the wives, letting them be the sole decision makers. When things go astray in the home, which of them will be held responsible? But God, full of love, set forth His government in the home. God has set the husband over his own wife, not the wives of others or women in general. The Bible says, "For the husband is the head of the wife" (Eph. 5:23). And his wife is to be in subjection (submission) to him as unto the Lord (Eph. 5:22). The wife or mother is to guide the house. The Scripture says, "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house" (1 Tim. 5:14). And the children are to obey their parents. That is, one father (male) and one mother (female) (Eph. 6:1). How clear and visible is the government for the home in God's divine matrimony?

God's Government Is Needed In the Church

Neither is the church of Christ exempt from having government. Without a government in the church, chaos and confusion are sure to follow. It is of the utmost importance that the local church keep the New Testament pattern. The church that loves God keeps His commandments (I Jn. 5:2): whether it be the elders, who will not lord over God's heritage, but be an example to the flock (1 Pet. 5:3); whether it be the deacons, who will exercise their office well (1 Tim. 3:12); whether it be the preachers and teachers, who will put aside their thoughts, opinions, and personal beliefs, and think according to "that which is written" (1 Cor. 4:6); or whether it be the flock, who will learn, and keep, and do all of God's commandments (Jas. 1:22; 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 2:20; 4:11).