He knows not how to rule a kingdome, that cannot manage a Province; nor can he wield a Province, that cannot order a City; nor he order a City, that knows not how to regulate a Village; nor he a Village, that cannot guide a Family; nor can that man govern well a Family that knows not how to Govern himselfe; neither can any Govern himselfe unless his reason be Lord, Will and Appetite her Vassals; nor can Reason rule unlesse herself be ruled by God; and (wholy) obedient to Him. –Hugo Grotius, 1654
This sums up nicely this principle. We are governed from within. It is our internal thoughts that determine our external actions. If we cannot well govern ourselves then how can we govern any other sphere? This is based on individuality because we are responsible for our own thoughts and actions. It is individual accountability.
God must be at the center or my will and appetite will be immoral (contrary to God’s laws). When He is placed front and center and we reason from His Word, that life and governmental philosophy will flow out to all spheres.
Educationally we apply this principle in that “God’s law is the requirement of the heart.” It is up to God to bring the changes needed for a child to grow into a proper citizen of His Kingdom. Ways we can manifest this principle:
- accountaibility for property, thoughts and actions
- requiring reasonable behavior
- classroom (and home) environment control
- all of the things that form the basis for a Christian Republic
To some Christians the idea of “self-government” may have pagan undertones. We are to be governed by Christ. And self-government is “me-centered”. But Christian self-government acknowledges the lordship of Christ and that He is the one aiding us in governing ourselves. He has given us dominion and over and over in His Word He instructs us on how to govern ourselves. He dedicated the entire book of Provebs alone to instruction on self-government. We are responsible for our own thought and actions (principle 1), so we must take an active role and be self-governed.
