Government of God

From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:

This term is not found in Scripture, but the truth that it conveys certainly is. It is used by Bible teachers to denote the providential dealings of God with men, either positively or negatively, as a consequence of the way in which they live their lives. It works in the lives of those who are saved as well as those who are lost. Galatians 6:7-87Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7‑8) gives the general principle on which God’s government works. It says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” This shows us that there are consequences to our actions, both for good and for bad—though we may not feel the results immediately.
As mentioned, there are two sides to the government of God—what is positive and what is negative—as far as what we experience in our lives. These could be called:
•  Governmental judgment.
•  Governmental blessing.
Since “all power” has been given to the Lord to exercise “in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:1818And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)), He can cause good things, as well as allow bad things, to occur in the lives of men according to their works. He can “hedge up” the way of the transgressor with governmental judgments in the way of troubles, problems, sorrows, sicknesses, etc., with a view to arresting his wayward course and producing repentance (Hos. 2:6-76Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. 7And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now. (Hosea 2:6‑7)). The Apostle Peter warned that if we are careless and walk in unholiness, we will “invoke” (or “call”) God “the Father” into action in our lives in a judgmental sense. He will, “without respect of persons, judge according to every man’s work” (1 Peter 1:16-1716Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: (1 Peter 1:16‑17)). See also 1 Corinthians 11:29-3229For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:29‑32); 1 Peter 3:1212For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)b; James 5:2020Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)b; 1 John 5:1616If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (1 John 5:16)b. God can also use His power to order happy and blessed circumstances in the lives of men who do right, and thus, they “inherit blessing” in their lives (practically) and “see good days” (1 Peter 3:10-1210For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:10‑12)a; Eph. 6:1-31Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (Ephesians 6:1‑3)). The Proverbs emphasize the ways of God in government with men, either for good or for bad—depending on a person’s actions. It is an underlying theme that runs throughout that book.
It is interesting to note that the extent of God’s governmental dealings with men in judgment pertains only to their time in this world; it does not affect their eternal destiny. However, God’s governmental actions of blessing in connection with believers can be enjoyed now in this life, and in many cases it will also be carried on into eternity (Gal. 6:88For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8)). Such is the goodness of God. Moreover, if we bring upon ourselves the governmental judgment of God, there is such a thing as God’s governmental forgiveness (Matt. 18:26-2726The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (Matthew 18:26‑27); Luke 7:4848And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. (Luke 7:48); John 5:1414Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. (John 5:14); James 5:1515And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15); Psa. 103:10-1110He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (Psalm 103:10‑11)). This has to do with God’s lifting the governmental judgment, in whatever way we have been made to feel it, because there has been repentance with us. Then again, the Lord may choose to leave us to continue under the effects of His governmental judgment, even when there has been real repentance, because He knows the tendencies of our hearts, and thus it keeps us in dependence and ultimately from going off track again. Communion will be restored, but the effects of our actions may continue to be felt (2 Sam. 12:1010Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. (2 Samuel 12:10)). Whatever may be the case, God makes no mistakes in what He does with us, for His ways are perfect (Psa. 18:3030As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. (Psalm 18:30)). (See Forgiveness, Governmental.)
Many Christians have an imbalanced view of the subject of the government of God. They see it purely from its judgmental side, but this is imbalanced. In referring to someone who has rebelled against God, they might say, “So and so is under the government of God”—not realizing that God’s government has to do with His good hand of blessing in a person’s life too. The truth is, all Christians are under the government of God—and we should be thankful that we are!
The men of the world would call the government of God “karma” (a term from “eastern” religion), but they are not the same. Karma views God’s ways with men from a perspective that is filled with superstition. It does not take God’s governmental forgiveness into consideration. He may not always work negatively with those who do wrong, when He sees repentance with them.