By Pastor Greg
I have no clever stories this morning or funny illustrations to help you understand what the Lord is saying in His word. I don't believe I have to say too much to help you get the point Paul is trying to make in Romans 13. I doubt you need much help making a personal application to these words. I am sure some of you will be deeply offended by what Paul says, and will even question whether it applies to us today. It will make some of you angry this morning. Yet this is the Word of God. And as believers we are to be people living under the authority of God's Word. So our obedience to what is said today becomes a test of our commitment to God and His Word.
Here are Paul’s words from Romans 13:1-7. Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Did you get that? Read it again and see if it doesn’t smack you up alongside the head. Read it a second time and see if it doesn’t convict you about what you recently posted on Facebook. Read it a third time and tell me that you have no twinge of guilt; no feelings of shame. Read it a fourth time then confess your sin. I know I had to. In my heart there was clear disobedience to this command.
These verses from Romans 13 confront our habits. They challenge our behaviors. They cut to the very core of who we are as people; as Americans. After all, we have a constitutional right, don’t we? We have the Freedom of Speech! Yet here is Paul trying to take that away from us; telling us that we are not to be acting in this way; telling us that we should not be critical nor criticize those in authority over us, even going so far as to say we should submit to those in authority, pray for those in authority, and that when we do disobey those in authority we are rebelling against God.
Isn’t there some way we can just skip over this or discredit these words? Can’t we reason them away? Unfortunately we can’t. There are no loopholes here. Oh I know we would be tempted to make excuses. We might be tempted to say that Paul had no idea how corrupt and ungodly our government is today. Yet if you study the history of the Roman Empire at the time Paul wrote these words we will find not one single king or emperor professing Christianity. The Roman authorities at this time were all theoretical or practical atheists. Many abused their positions of leadership. They exercised corrupt power. The world government at that time was even worse than our government is at this time. And at least we have the freedom of election. The common person in Paul’s time had no say in who would rule. So to say things are worse today is not an accurate excuse. It’s an argument that just will not stick.
Students of the Bible will obviously want to point out what Peter and John told the Jewish religious authorities. When told to stop speaking in Jesus name Peter replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). So doesn’t this negate what Paul said here in Romans? Doesn’t that throw Paul’s command out the window? This argument does not stick as well, for Peter, years after this event with the Jewish authorities, will write, “For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-14).
So, how is a Christian to respond when government authorities demand we compromise our Christian beliefs? What is a believer to do when laws are passed that take away the freedom to practice the Christian faith? What do we do when the government demands we stop speaking in the name of Jesus? These verses in Romans 13 point back to what Paul said at the beginning of chapter 12 - to be a living sacrifice. We are to be transformed in the way we respond to God and in the way we respond to others. And that includes those in authority over us. We need not agree with what the authorities think or feel, but as Christians we must be respectful, treating one another with dignity and love. And Paul is simply reminding us that that same degree of respect and dignity we show to others extends to those in authority as well.
Is this hard? You bet it's hard! All around us people are criticizing those in authority. We hear it every single day - on television, on the radio, at work, at school, and in the market place - people criticizing people. And it is so tempting to get caught up in their leadership bashing. But although this might be the way of the world, it is not to be the way of a Christian. As a matter of fact, Christians are called to pray for those in leadership (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
There is no contrast between what Paul says here and what the Apostles said to the Jewish authorities. Peter and John were respectful in their response. They didn't call the Sanhedrin a bunch of idiots. They didn't start criticizing the authorities once they were out of jail. They didn't go back home and start a political smear campaign. They went back home after being arrested and beaten for healing a lame man in Jesus name, and prayed. They prayed for more courage. They prayed for boldness. The issue was not that the government was against them, but that God was using the present government to strengthen the church; to test the level of their commitment. And when they prayed this way, the house in which they were staying was shaken.
Christian, you have the same duty. By calling yourself a Christian you have forfeited your rights and privileges. You have become the Lord's servant. We no longer have the right to treat others any way we choose. And that extends toward those in government authority. We can disagree with their decisions. We can choose to disobey their commands if they demand we compromise our Christian beliefs. But we cannot spew poisonous venom. We cannot be disrespectful. We cannot instigate a riot of hate. We are to be instruments of God's love and peace. We are called to make a difference in this world; to not be conformed to this world but transformed by God. We are not to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Of course the Bible is not silent about those who are in leadership. Christ Himself told the Apostles to lead not as the Gentiles do, but in following the example He had given them (Luke 22:25). Even husbands and wives are to submit to God's instructions in the roles He has ordained. So let's not make this passage in Romans the only viewpoint on the subject. Christians who find themselves in positions of leadership have a responsibility to lead according to God's standard. Likewise, Christians beneath those in authority have a responsibility to follow according to God's standards. Our responsibility to live as a Christian should be greater than any rights or privileges granted us by humanity.
What does all of this mean? It means that we are still people in need of a Savior. It means we are still a people needing to be transformed. It means we need His grace new each and every day. For this attitude of criticism and scorn and abuse directed toward others, whether they deserve it or not, is an indication of our fallen human nature overcoming the Spirit nature birthed in us by our faith in Jesus Christ. Forgive us Father for our hateful, disobedient attitudes directed this day toward those in authority over us. Instead, Father, guide us to live as you desire - showing respect and treating everyone with the same dignity we desire they show to us.
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