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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than any of the other people of his
Read more

1 Timothy 2:11-15

Let a woman learn quietly   with all submissiveness.    I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.    For Adam was formed first,   then Eve;   and Adam was not deceived, but   the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.    Yet she will be saved through   childbearing—if they continue in   faith and love and holiness, with self-control. There is certainly controversy and confusion about this passage in many churches today.  The idea of a distinction between men and women and their roles in the family and church certainly goes against the flow of many cultures around the world.  Some would argue that the literal and plain teaching of this passage is no longer applicable to today’s culture.  However, it is always dangerous to discard biblical teaching or try to interpret Scripture based on the cultures in which we live.  Certainly, the Spirit who inspired this text was aware of the many changes that would occur in future cul
Read more

1 Timothy 2:1-7

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and   dignified in every way.    This is good, and   it is pleasing in the sight of   God our Savior,   who desires   all people to be saved and   to come to   the knowledge of the truth.    For   there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,   who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is   the testimony given   at the proper time.    For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying),   a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.   Prayer is one of the greatest privileges believers have and it should be one of our greatest priorities.  Too often our lives are more often marked by complaining about our circumstances and our political leaders than by prayers for them.  The government in Paul’s day
Read more