Romans 13 - How Should A Christian Relate to the Government?
Submission to Governing Authorities
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Paul transitions from chapter 12, where he talked about what it means to respond to God's grace by offering ourselves as a "living sacrifice", to how a Christian should relate to the government. The early church was subject to the Roman government, which often persecuted the church, so it would the early Christians might have wondered if they should rebel against the Roman government?
To this question Paul answers with a "no". Paul teaches that a Christian should submit themselves to the governing authorities out of submission to Christ. All authority is established by God and is accountable to God. In this way those who rebel against the existing authorities, rebel against God and deserve their due punishment.
The true role and the authority given to the government is God-given. The main purpose is to keep order in society and punish wrongdoers.
Wouldn't it be great if all government today realized this was their purpose?
In good conscience then we obey the laws of the country we live in.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Along this same line of thinking Paul teaches to pay taxes. This is similar to when Jesus says in to "give to Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's". Mark 12:17 Some Christian evade paying taxes, which is a criminal offense, reasoning they don't agree with the moral stance of the government. While understandable, Paul does not make allowances for this kind of reasoning.
We are also to respect our leaders even if we don't agree with them.
What would politics be like if people obeyed the bible's command here?
Love Fulfills the Law
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Spiritually this is all part of loving our neighbors as ourselves. Though there are Ten Commandments, and they are all summed up by loving your neighbor as yourselves. Jesus talked about this on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 - 7. The basis of lusting or committing adultery all is because of a lack of love for your neighbor.
If everybody obeyed the Spirit of the commandments, what would our society look like? What would our church look like? How does motivation to keep the Spirit of the commandments differ from legalism?
The Day Is Near
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
As we conduct ourselves as Christians in the world and in our church, we always need to remember Jesus' return could come at anytime. On the day of judgment we will not be judged on our sin. Jesus did that on the cross, so that salvation is a free gift for those who trust in Him. But we are still accountable for what we did with the grace we have been given in terms of how we loved others. I.e. Romans 12:1-2
Jesus mentions a few sins to avoid. Among his examples are drunkenness, sexual immorality, and debauchery, which is basically is "out of control partying". We all see this all the time, and may be a part of it from time to time. But as we clothe ourselves with Christ and live in the fruit of the Spirit, we can live a life worthy of our calling in Christ!
Where are you walking in the Spirit versus walking in the flesh? How does clothing yourselves with Christ through the Holy Spirit change your perspective on this? Are you clothed with Christ today? I.e. Living like Jesus would if he were you!
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