Q: What governments have been established directly by God?
A: God has established the responsibility of self-government in every individual, and family government, church government, and civil government in society.
— Toby Sumpter, A Catechism on the Governments: 50 Questions & Answers
Every form of human governance given to us by God has a corresponding symbol associated with it. For the civil magistrate, it is the sword (Romans 13:4). For the church, it is the keys (Matt 26:19). For the family, it is the rod (Pr. 13:24, 22:15). The State can wield the sword to execute, the church can withhold access to the table to excommunicate, and the family can discipline or disinherit according to the age of the member and the extent of the offense.
However, none of these agencies are independent of God. None of them are free to set their own standards. Their jurisdictions and administrations have been prescribed to them by God.
So, the sword must be swung by a particular standard, not just willy-nilly at whomever happens to irritate the one wielding it. The State does not set the standard for what offenses deserve the sword, God has already determined that. He has merely handed the sword to the State and given them authority to execute His will. The State must also not refuse to swing the sword where God has said. It is not within their authority to applaud violence or condemn peace.It cannot be in good faith by beheading the righteous and protecting the wretched. God sees and judges the judges who do so.
Likewise, the doors to the kingdom of Christ must not be locked according to the moods of the doorkeepers. Doors must have locks, but they must not lock anyone out arbitrarily. The standard for discipline and excommunication is not according to the preferences of the elders, but according to the Word of God.
Lastly, wills should not be written or edited by mere favoritism. Children should not be excluded from inheritances unless they break covenant. Children should not be disciplined according to the whims of their parents, but according to the Word of the Lord. Likewise, they should not be disinherited according to the peculiar tastes of the parent, but only according to the commandments of God.
Spanks must only be administered according to sins defined by Scripture and last wills and testaments must only written and enforced according to the Word of God contained in the Old and New testaments.
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