No Blank Slates

Paul lays down very clear instructions as to what the state is meant to do and how limited its God ordained functions are. This passage is the foundation for any thinking about the role of the state and about the believer's relationship with the state. We need to bow to and stand firmly upon God's revelation alone--the sole sure foundation. Paul says that the state is to give itself to the administration of justice alone and the areas where they are allowed to enforce justice are also determined by God's law-word. No blank slates are given to any authority sphere, whereby they can define their responsibilities on their own--each authority sphere, whether family, church or state, has its responsibilities and boundaries strictly delineated by God.