What is the purpose of government? Regardless of whatever political group you belong to or whatever you believe about government, the Bible can help clear up any questions about how you should vote or how government should work.

First, the Bible never says what type of government to have. Some even believe government did not even exist until after the Flood, as that was when the first formal law was given out by God.

Genesis 9:6 - Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

So, the responsibility of punishing men for their crimes was given to us. That is why God is not technically responsible for things like murder, rape, theft, and other bad things that happen to people. The responsibility of preventing and punishing wrongdoers as of now is not given to God, but to the people on earth.

After this, God gave the law to Moses, which was the legal system for living in Israel. It is not a worldwide law, but it is a permanent covenant (or promise) between God and Israel about how the people of that country will behave. While we do not have to make their laws our laws, Christians can learn important principles about government from them.

Deuteronomy 29:1 - These are the words of the covenant, which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.

It was a covenant with Israel specifically, not with the entire world.

The ultimate idea of government can be summed up in these two verses.

Romans 13:3 - For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? For he is the 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.

Why does government exist? To allow the good to live peaceful lives and to punish those that would hurt us. That is the purpose of government. Every law that is created should be for this purpose, and anything outside of that could easily become an abuse of power.

Because of this, God says we should pay taxes and honor those in the government, even if we disagree with them.

Romans 13:1-2 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. 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 to themselves damnation.

Romans 13:5-7 - Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

1 Timothy 2:2 - For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Damnation is condemnation, and those that resist the government will be condemned by the same government they are resisting.

Despite this though, there is a limit to government. If the government says Christians should do something wrong, such as kill our children, commit adultery or fornication, or marry a non-Christian, it is our duty to gently disobey them. Our spirit should never be one of rebellion, but we should quietly obey the Lord rather than them.

Exodus 1:16-21 -And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

Acts 5:29 - Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

1 Samuel 15:23 - For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.