The rule of law is the basis of order and civilisation. Authorities are established by God and the Bible plainly teaches that it is the duty of every Christian to submit to authority.
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God as established" (Rom 13:1)
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right" (1 Pet 2:13-14)
It is the duty of those in authority to punish those who do wrong. The punishment envisaged in the Bible clearly includes physical force. The Apostle Paul notes that a ruler "does not bear the sword for nothing. He is an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer" (Rom 13: 4)
It is right and proper for the state when deciding on appropriate punishments to consider deterrence and reformation. But desirable though these aims may be, punishment cannot be separated from the concept of just desert or retribution. It is the demands of justice that the guilty are punished as their deeds deserve.
For this reason it is detestable in God's sight for the guilty to be acquitted or the innocent condemned. (Prov 17:15) The New Testament teaching on submission to authorities was given to the Church in the context of corrupt authorities. There may be circumstances where the Christian cannot obey the state: if the state should command what God forbids or forbid what God commands then the duty of the Christian must be to obey God rather than man. (Acts 4:19; 5:29). The supreme example of Jesus Christ teaches that Christians will experience persecution and injustice in this life.
All judgment dispensed on earth is provisional. One day God will dispense perfect justice "so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God" (Rom 3:19). The Bible teaches that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Heb 9:27).
Judgment will be on the basis of works in this life, but justification is solely obtained through the merits of Jesus Christ's atoning death on the cross.
