A Constitutional Dictatorship

As American citizens, we live in a Constitutional Republic.  That is, we live under a written code that is universal, logical, clear, concise, enforceable, stable (year after year the same) and known.  We are also a “republic.”  That is, we are a government of self-rule – of “we the people” rule – who elect and select people to represent us in various governmental bodies to make, enforce and clarify laws (a legislative body, an executive body (commander-in-chief) and a judicial body).  A republic is the means a free people work together in order to maintain their “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.”  It has been a most marvelous “experiment.”

Christians also live under a constitution and a Ruler.

The Constitution is “universal, logical/rational, clear, concise, enforceable, stable and known” – the Bible.  The Christian’s “Constitution” was given to them by their God.  “All Scripture is given by God and profitable for…complete, fully equipped for every good work,” II Timothy 3:16-17.

However, the second aspect of their (the Christian’s) government is not an exercise of self-rule – “we the people”, but of God’s rule.  It is not a republic, nor a democracy, nor an oligarchy – it is the rule of God.  And God is not a figurehead, nor subject to a vote influenced by lobbyists or polls, nor or needy of anything outside of Himself.  In fact, He is an absolute sovereign, meaning that He does whatever is pleasing to Him whenever.  He is a Dictator (in a good way).

Consider:

Psalm 115:3, But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

Psalm 135:6, Whatever the Lord pleases He does in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places.

Job 42:2, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.”

Isaiah 48:11, “For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another!”

Revelation 19:15-16, He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS.

Daniel 2:21, And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings;

Proverbs 21:1, The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Daniel 4:34-35, “[Nebuchadnezzar] lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation.  All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.  No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”

Proverbs 21:30-31, There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.  The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord.

Thus, God is a Dictator!  Not in the ways of nearly all human dictators as God is always kind, loving, benevolent and very patient.  Nevertheless, He is a Dictator.

And God the Dictator abides under the dictates of the “Constitution” He gave.  He keeps every jot and tittle of the Constitution and He asks His people to do the same.

Thus, Christians are citizens of His kingdom living under a Constitutional Dictatorship which  gives them hope, help, peace, joy, love, purpose and fellowship – a great life!  What a citizenship!