Man exists for God. Government exists for man, and this includes the government of God. Government is the servant, not the master. Because fallen man is basically selfish and self-centered, stronger government is needed to keep order and provide justice in this fallen world. No earthly government has been perfect at this, or will be. Most governments degenerate into using people for their own interests rather than serving the interests of their people, and this includes church governments. This is when governments fall and begin to fail in their basic purpose.
As mankind is restored to the image of God like we were originally created, the framework of rules and regulations within government will be needed less and less. The highest law is love. When we have been fully restored, we will be ruled by love, and not selfish interests. However, until that work has been accomplished, the rule of government is necessary. Even so, we must always keep in mind that the government is a means to an end and not the ultimate goal itself.
In Philippians 2:12, we are told to "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling," and one of the primary ways that we do this is by learning to submit to authority. The first thing said about the serpent, the devil, is that he was "crafty" (see Genesis 3:1). To be crafty is to have a nature that is constantly trying to bend the rules and get away with something. The Lord gave all of the extraordinary promises in Deuteronomy 28 to those who would "diligently obey" (see Deuteronomy 28:1) Him and His commandments. Those who will enter into the Promised Land and enjoy all of its benefits are those who have the opposite nature of the serpent, who instead of seeking ways to bend the rules, are diligently seeking how they can better obey.
This is a basic character issue. When salvation has been fully worked into our nature, the rebellious nature will have been replaced with one of "diligence" to obey. Many consider that they will be perfect in obedience when they have a perfect government to submit to, but that is a mentality that will cause us to miss the greatest and easiest working out of our salvation, which is crucifying our fallen nature. This is why the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13:1-7:
Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same;
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.
Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
When Paul wrote this, Nero was the emperor, the most cruel and anti-Christian of all the Roman emperors, and the one who would even order Paul's own execution. King David was required to serve King Saul, and remained faithful to Saul and his house, even when Saul had killed the priests of the Lord and was trying to kill David. David knew God had anointed Saul and placed him in authority, and David had such respect for God's authority that his heart smote him for just cutting off the edge of Saul's robe. It was this profound respect for authority that enabled David to establish a seat of authority that would last for eternity. Jesus Himself is said to be seated upon the throne of David, and one of His most honored titles was "Son of David."
As has been prophesied at the end of this age, lawlessness will increase, and will be a primary contributing factor in what will be the greatest time of trouble the world has ever known. Even so, as lawlessness is increasing in the world, God's people, who will be preparing the way for His kingdom, will be growing in obedience and respect for authority. This will be a main point of conflict at the end of this age and the struggle between the darkness of this age and the light of the age to come. Which side will we be on?
