Romans 13:1-7

                                                             Romans 13:1-7

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

 

It is easy for us to complain about and criticize the government and elected officials.  This is not the attitude that Christians should have towards the government.  God is in control of the rules of this world, and He is using them to accomplish His purposes whether they know it or not.  We may not agree with certain policies or even by persecuted because of our faith, but this is not a reason to be rebellious or disrespectful.  Paul calls us to demonstrate at least these three attitudes toward those He has placed over us.

 

OBEY AUTHORITIES AS ESTABLISHED BY GOD: When we look at the world leaders throughout history it is hard for us to imagine that each and every one was established by God.  Paul writes this during the Roman Empire that repeatedly imprisoned him and would eventually kill him.  We are simply unable to see how God is working through so many wicked men to accomplish His will.  At times He uses an evil leader to create situations where men recognize that their only hope is in the Gospel or to motivate His children into action.  What Paul is calling for in this situation is obedience on the part of believers.  Unless the government prohibits something that God’s Word requires or requires something that God’s Word prohibits, we are called to be obedient to our authorities because they are established by God.

 

FEAR AUTHORITIES AS INSTRUMENTS OF GOD: God has established government to punish evil and reward good.  Typically, governments are more focused on punishing evil than they are rewarding good, but our responsibilities remain the same.  If we choose to disobey the laws of the land, we should fear the authorities because they are authorized by God enforce their laws to the most extreme measures.  Paul’s reference to the sword the government wields indicates that it can go so far as to ending one’s life.  If one wants to avoid living in fear, the solution is to simply obey the government to avoid this confrontation.  However, there are times when the government rewards evil and punishes good.  God still used this to accomplish His purposes, but the result is that the people under this rule will end up living in fear.

 

SUPPORT AUTHORITIES AS MINISTERS FOR GOD: No matter how much we may disagree with the authorities God has established; believers are required to support their authorities.  We do this by paying our taxes and by showing them honor.  Just because we don’t agree with the policies of a government does not mean that believers are exempt from paying their taxes or have the right to be disrespectful to the government.  As a rule, I think we do a better job o paying our taxes than of showing honor.  When our preferred candidate does not win, we are still required to honor that position because God is using that individual as His minister is some way.  Just because we don’t understand it does not mean that it is not happening.  

 

APPLICATION: We must strive to be the best citizens possible.  We are to obey the laws of our land to the best of our ability.  When we must disobey because of our priority of obeying God, we need to be prepared to face the consequences with grace.  Faithfully pay our taxes and don’t be critical or disrespectful of the government or its officials.  Show honor the position even if you do not agree with the person.

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