In these challenging times, as a massive revolutionary overturn of American government, religion, economics, and education unfolds before our eyes, we must discipline ourselves to exemplify God's way despite the evil at the core of these changes. It is difficult not to be swept into the disobedient spirit of the age, but we are called to direct, regulate, control, and restrain our conduct toward holiness, conforming to the image of the Father and the Son, not the lust-driven world. God's governmental structure places a large measure of individual responsibility on us, combined with a personal relationship with Him. When the ancient Israelites rejected self-government under God, choosing instead a human king, they broke that relationship by refusing to submit, ultimately surrendering their liberties. Similarly, mankind after the Flood rejected dispersion and self-governance under God's hand, congregating under the despot Nimrod, seeking a power to force obedience rather than governing themselves. Today, in the United States, we see a parallel as people give up their liberties to a government, mirroring the historical pattern of rejecting self-government. The Constitution of this nation, though imperfect, grants unparalleled liberties, but it is based on the premise of a self-governing citizenry. The framers understood that without individual self-government and a God-fearing nature, this republican form of government risks descending into anarchy, a direction we are now witnessing as the nation moves toward a godless state and socialism, where the government is seen as provider and god. We must hold fast to our personal responsibility to govern ourselves under God's authority, recognizing that salvation lies in our relationship with Him, not in any human government.

Self-government, as understood in the context of God's plan, is not about individuals asserting their own sovereignty or refusing to be ruled by others. It is the self-government of those who acknowledge God as Sovereign and voluntarily submit to His laws through the righteous character they have developed in imitation of Jesus Christ. These individuals govern themselves, not needing external oversight because they have ingrained the mind of Christ. They live in harmony with God, doing what is right without requiring a taskmaster, as their actions align with His will. In the envisioned future, particularly during the Great White Throne judgment period, this form of self-government will be pivotal. Despite the vast population of resurrected individuals, God will not require a massive bureaucracy or rigid control. Without satan's interference and with ready access to the Holy Spirit, most will readily submit to God, recognizing the stark contrast between their past carnal lives and God's government. They will strive to build righteous character with His help, learning to govern themselves. Those who fail to do so will face dire consequences, while those who succeed will live in accordance with God's ways. Ultimately, God's government incorporates a significant element of self-government. As His children develop the mind of Christ in its fullness, they will govern themselves under His law and goodness, eliminating the need for external coercion. In the New Heavens and New Earth, perfect righteousness will prevail, and all will be united with God, following His way without even considering wrongdoing, as it will be written on their hearts and minds. Self-control is a consistent biblical principle, essential for God's people to master their carnality and replace it with the character of Jesus Christ. A Christian must rule their own nature and flesh, directing their mind by the Holy Spirit to avoid sin. This rigorous self-mastery, often developed through years of trials and diligence, is the path to true control, mirroring the example of Jesus Christ, who achieved rulership through humility and submission. God grants self-control through His Spirit, but it requires persistent effort to bear fruit, overcoming human nature's resistance to restraint. As the world spins out of control, God's elect must stand firm in self-control, witnessing that they are children of the light, not of darkness. They must diligently govern themselves, restraining human nature to produce godly fruit, preparing for full salvation in the resurrection, and standing with Christ as the Standard of self-governance.

Self-government is a vital step in aligning with God's purpose of transforming us into His image, which is not a mere physical form but a character and nature reflective of His own. God grants us free moral agency, allowing us to make choices without external control, as seen with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He does not intervene to stop sin or enforce obedience, for such interference would hinder His goal of creating beings who freely choose His way of life. God's approach to government differs sharply from human methods of control. He does not exert direct power over individual decisions, as external force would reduce us to mere automatons, lacking the freedom necessary to develop His character. Instead, God expects His people to govern themselves, to consciously submit to His truth and arrange themselves under His authority, as the term "hupotasso" implies—a voluntary act of ordering oneself under another. The carnal mind, driven by pride, fear, and covetousness, resists submission to God and seeks to control both self and others according to its own desires. This was evident when Adam and Eve, influenced by satan, chose to decide for themselves what was right, rejecting God's instruction. Overcoming these drives requires humility, living faith in the Creator, and a willingness to surrender personal control to God's way. Self-government is essential for developing godly character, which is the ability to discern right from wrong, truth from error, and to choose the right path even against personal desire or temptation. It involves using the knowledge and power provided by God's Spirit to discipline and control oneself. Without self-government, carnal impulses dominate, preventing the formation of the character necessary to be in God's Kingdom. Thus, every individual bears the responsibility to govern themselves as a fundamental step toward becoming like Him.

Self-government is a critical aspect of the Christian life, reflecting the necessity to steer and control oneself in alignment with God's purpose. It involves the deliberate choice to submit to God's will, utilizing the gift of free moral agency to make decisions that conform to His image. This self-steering and self-control are essential, as God exerts little overt control over individual lives to preserve this freedom, allowing each person to choose their path and demonstrate their loyalty through difficult decisions. The challenge of self-government arises from the lingering human nature that resists submission, often driven by pride, fear, and covetousness. These influences tempt individuals to go beyond the authority God has granted, seeking control for personal gain rather than aligning with His counsel. The solution lies in humility, faith in God's provision, and a willingness to sacrifice personal desires for the sake of His objective. Through conversion and God's continuing education, individuals are empowered to make themselves subject to Him, choosing to govern themselves in every area where submission is required. This voluntary submission, as exemplified by Jesus Christ who always did what pleased the Father, is the model for self-government. It involves putting on characteristics such as mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering, making deliberate choices to control oneself and follow the direction toward God's goal. Ultimately, self-government is about discerning right from wrong, resisting temptation, and exercising the will and self-discipline to do what is right, even against personal impulse. It is through these choices that God's character is written into the heart, transforming the individual into His image. Letting the peace of God rule in the heart serves as the guide, ensuring that self-government progresses in the right direction within His creation.

Brethren, the essence of true government under God lies in the principle of self-government, a vital aspect of our spiritual journey. No government, not even God's, will function effectively among beings of free moral agency unless each individual chooses to submit to His governance. This choice is the foundation of our relationship with Him, as it requires us to consciously and intelligently use our free will to align with His law and purpose in every situation. The successful operation of God's government depends absolutely on our faith in Him, on our conversion, and on our loving decision to submit to His rule. This is not merely about external structures or authority within the church, but about each one of us proving to Him that we can be governed by voluntarily restraining ourselves and making choices that honor His way. The strength of the body does not rest on numbers, but on the true spirituality that emerges when we use our faith to submit to His governance. It is not the responsibility of any leader to force submission; rather, it is the duty of every one of us, regardless of position—whether old, young, man, woman, minister, deacon, or lay member—to voluntarily govern ourselves. This self-government is a reflection of our direct relationship with God, where nothing and no one stands between us and His direct guidance. By choosing to submit in this way, we demonstrate our readiness to be led by the Father and Jesus Christ, trusting that He will guide the Family according to His will.

Self-government is a vital responsibility that God places upon us, requiring us to discipline ourselves to align with His will. It is essential to govern ourselves to obey the commands given in Romans 13:1-7, submitting to human government as a form of work that demonstrates God's way of life before the world and prepares us for living eternally in His Kingdom. This act of self-control is not for salvation but to reflect His purpose in our lives. The necessity of self-government is evident in the face of a culture driven by progressive ideologies that reject historical values and push toward hedonism, leading many to lose the ability to control themselves. Unlike the world, which often disregards responsibility to God, Christians must focus on Him, exercising self-control to resist societal pressures and maintain loyalty to His standards. Living in the end times, as described in Daniel 12:4, with increased knowledge and constant movement, we face an overwhelming deluge of information that can weary us and tempt us to conform. Yet, we must govern ourselves to focus on God's business, ensuring that we hold to His eternal laws rather than drifting with the world's current. Our calling from God provides a tremendous advantage, granting us a vision and motivation to discipline ourselves according to His pure standards. This vision is formed as He reveals Himself, removing spiritual blindness and replacing worldly lies with truth, enabling us to make right choices and govern our conduct in harmony with His purpose. The gospel of the Kingdom of God serves as the foundation for this vision, offering the framework within which we understand our divine destiny and the multitude of truths necessary to motivate self-government. It requires serious thought and sacrifice to seek Him, ensuring that our choices reflect a desire to please Him and align with His will. Ultimately, self-government is driven by the intimate relationship we develop with God, a love that mirrors the affection and desire to please a spouse. This love compels us to make choices that honor Him, ensuring we do not disappoint or displease Him, and it is this motivation that underpins our discipline. Free moral agency, a great gift from God, allows us to choose freely between right and wrong without compulsion, distinguishing us from other created beings. This liberty necessitates self-government, as we are not bound by instinct but are free to align our behavior with His established standards, choosing the right out of love for our Creator and the future He promises. God is breaking the bondage of human nature within us, enabling us to voluntarily choose His way, governing ourselves to reflect the image of Jesus Christ through the life we live.

In the face of mounting pressures and a world spiraling out of control, the concept of self-government emerges as a critical responsibility. We must govern ourselves within the framework of God's desires, controlling and disciplining our actions to align with His will. Despite the influences of our past, including the actions of our parents or the environment we grew up in, we are not bound to repeat their mistakes. God expects us to change for the better, to rise above these influences, because our duty to Him surpasses even our duty to ourselves. God judges each of us based on our personal conduct, not on the sins or circumstances of others. We cannot blame our failures on external forces or claim to be mere victims of circumstance. The responsibility for our actions lies with us as individuals. Even when we suffer due to the irresponsibility of others or the collective curse upon a society, we must remain faithful to our personal duties. God's judgment is fair and individual, ensuring that we are evaluated on our own choices and behaviors. There are clear principles guiding this personal accountability. When we live righteously, we align with God's will, though we may still endure societal curses. Conversely, unrighteous behavior leads to personal consequences, regardless of external blessings. We do not bear penalties for others' sins, nor do we inherit righteousness or unrighteousness; each decision is ours to make. God encourages us to remain steadfast, never granting license to sin, even amidst a prospering, sinful society. Repentance offers a path to life, while the end result of our lives, not momentary actions, is what God evaluates. Challenges to meeting our responsibilities often stem from ignorance of what is required, a wrong mindset about our relationship with God, laziness, or fear of discomfort. Human nature resists the work needed to fulfill duties like prayer, study, and application of truth, often seeking easier, irresponsible paths. We also tend to avoid blame when things go wrong, looking to external causes rather than addressing our own contributions to the problem. A lack of vision and faith can further hinder our motivation to govern ourselves toward a greater goal. Yet, God calls us to liberty through responsibility. Freedom and responsibility are inseparable, and maintaining liberty requires both individual and collective effort. We must learn our responsibilities and govern ourselves within them, ensuring our judgment aligns with God's desires. By taking personal accountability, starting with our own lives, we contribute to a broader harmony, free from the intense pressures of irresponsibility that plague society.

The operation of God's government hinges on each individual governing himself to stay within the authority granted by God. Human nature, however, often pushes beyond these boundaries, seeking more than what is given, as seen with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when they overstepped God's command. This tendency to exceed limits creates chaos on earth, evident in families where neither husband nor wife adheres to their God-designed roles, in businesses where employers and employees overreach their responsibilities, and in religion where individuals abandon their place due to dissatisfaction. Such actions result in bondage, manifesting as marital conflicts, childrearing issues, economic instability, and environmental damage, pushing the earth to a point where it can no longer sustain life. Once called, our primary duty becomes studying God's Word to discern the boundaries of our authority and our proper attitude toward it, whether in family, civil, or church contexts. This study is not merely for knowledge but to understand our responsibilities to God, fellow man, and the environment, thereby freeing us from self-imposed bondage through obedient response to truth. Godly character is built through the Holy Spirit by combining belief with obedient action within these parameters, a challenging task as human nature resists responsibility, often leading to denial and blame-shifting to others or circumstances. Christianity is difficult due to inherent character disorders, making it hard to live up to the ideals envisioned in God's Word. This struggle persists throughout life, requiring constant assessment and reassessment of responsibilities amid ever-changing circumstances. Making proper judgments about our duties is a skill to grow into, given the nuances of God's law, and we must persevere despite failures, as abandoning this path hinders God's purpose. Responsibility involves careful attention to even small matters within our realm, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, Who, even after His resurrection, neatly folded the cloth in the tomb before leaving. This reflects a mind inclined toward order and precision, a quality God expects in us, not as nitpicking, but as a sober, careful approach to all aspects of life. God has given everyone authority to act, especially His people to act in His name, and understanding our responsibilities clarifies where this authority lies. A responsible person is answerable for carrying out duties and obligations, akin to being faithful in a spiritual sense. We must judge situations to make choices but refrain from passing judgment on others, as that is God's role. True responsibility begins with honest acknowledgment of our actions without rationalizing or blaming others, as David did in his confession. Everyone, converted or unconverted, bears the responsibility to keep God's commandments, with greater accountability for those given more understanding. God does not view keeping His commands as an unreasonable burden; it is our duty, externally imposed by Him as Creator. We should not expect God to be indebted to us for fulfilling this duty, nor should we succumb to self-pity over life's repetitive challenges and setbacks. As servants of God, bought with the price of Christ's life, our time and life are not our own, and we must accept this reality, taking challenges in stride to perform what our Master requires—carrying out our responsibilities. God expects us to meet these responsibilities, as He is not obligated to us for our performance but has appointed us to this position, obligating us instead. Resisting this duty is futile, as we cannot win against God; thus, we should bend our will to submit and fulfill our responsibilities. Sin is an individual's responsibility and will cease when one takes it upon oneself to stop sinning through self-government, which means controlling and disciplining oneself within the framework of God's law to avoid sin and keep His commands. God has granted us the a

Self-government is essential for justice and peace, even in the most ideal structures of governance. A leader must govern himself, for without control over his own appetites, passions, and desires, he holds little value to the people or the government. God holds each individual responsible for their own actions, emphasizing the importance of self-control as an integral part of Christian life, especially for those entrusted with the care of others. Self-control, or self-mastery, is the power over oneself, the virtue that checks appetites and regulates conduct without being swayed by sensuous desires. Moderation is a key element in this mastery. A lack of self-control is evident in sins such as lust, greed, gluttony, alcoholism, conceit, sexual sins, gossiping, violent quarreling, and reckless speech, which satan can tempt us to commit if we allow him. Self-control is not solely for personal benefit but also for the sake of others. It involves self-restraint and obedience to God's law, showing outgoing concern that exceeds self-interest, and resisting actions that may cause pain or weakness to others. Producing self-control requires discipline, as its absence reveals short-sightedness with long-lasting physical and spiritual damage. If self-control seems impossible, circumstances must be changed to avoid temptation. Jesus Christ set an example of self-control, mastering human tendencies, resisting temptation, and submitting to God's law. Self-control is a manifestation of God's work through the Holy Spirit, strengthening the Spirit-controlled mind to resist rebellious desires and tempting pleasures. Self-control is required for entrance into the Kingdom of God. Knowledge of God without practical self-responsibility is insufficient, but with God's divine power, self-mastery is produced. It is not merely about suppressing desires but controlling the lusts of the flesh, attained by those led by the Spirit, living and walking in the Spirit, on their way to fruitful growth in God's character.