This morning we are going to talk about wisdom and obeying the law and the government. In vs. 1 Solomon continues to talk about wisdom. Notice what he says. Godly wisdom has the right view of life. It understands the proper relation of circumstances, and sees into human affairs and God’s dispensation in the case of nations and individuals. It makes a man’s face to shine. It makes him to be regarded and taken notice of, and gains him respect. It beautifies him in the eyes of his friends. His countenance, if it is severe, will be changed into one that is sweet and obliging. It will add to his courage in maintaining his integrity, not not only when he has an honest cause to plead, but by his wisdom knows how to manage it.  Before we get into a discussion of wisdom in our relationship to government, there are some things we need to consider. A few weeks ago in Sunday School we studied from Romans 13. That chapter is about being good citizens – obeying the law, paying our taxes, and even praying for our elected officials. A question was asked about our Founding Fathers and the American Revolution. Did they, or did they not violate these verses in the Word of God, especially Romans 13:1-7? I have been asked that question a few times before. Since God is the Judge and I am not, I cannot accurately answer that question. So, I have examined and studied this issue, and here are some things I found. During the years before the Revolutionary War the issue of justified rebellion was widely debated. Most of the English preachers (John Wesley among them) urged restraint and pacifism. Most of the Colonial preachers (like John Witherspoon and Jonathan Mayhew) fanned the flames of the Revolution with their preaching. Those who supported the Revolution were deeply religious men who felt they were biblically justified in rebelling against England. I believe the Declaration of Independence clearly states what these men believed. I do believe that the American patriots who fought against the British forces were fully convinced that they had a biblical basis and scriptural justification for their actions. Whether their interpretation of various passages of Scripture were accurate or not, I hesitate to say. However, these acted in good faith and in the name of religious freedom, and God has brought about much good from the freedom that was won. Now, to our text, which itself encourages loyalty to one’s government. We see:

   I. GOVERNMENT AND GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY

 II. GOVERNMENT AND OUR OBLIGATION.

III. GOVERNMENT AND OUR LIVES – VV. 6-8.