God Speaks
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 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. 4 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. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 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.
8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: How should people, who have been made citizens of God’s kingdom by faith in Christ, live in regard to the government? We must remember that God is the one who sets up government. When we obey Him, we will obey the government. When we disobey the government, we disobey what God has put in place for our good. When we break the law, we can expect, even fear, punishment. So, we should obey the law to avoid punishment and because we want to do what is right. But what if the law or those enforcing it are wrong (even evil)? Then we have the right and responsibility to depend on God to help us do what we can to change the situation as peacefully and legally as possible. In the process we should: Pay our taxes and our debts. Obey the law of the land. “Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government.” (1 Peter 2:17 TLB) If we are striving to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves, we shouldn’t have trouble keeping any righteous laws. Because the time of Christ’s return is near, we should “[b]e decent and true in everything [we] do so that all can approve [our] behavior.” (Romans 13:13 TLB)
Consider the following questions regarding Romans 13
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God is the one who established government for our good and expects people to obey our government.
2. People are to wear Jesus Christ as they would wear clothing and to love others as they would love themselves.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Romans 13?
Dear Lord God, thank You for being sovereign over everything and the ultimate lawgiver. I thank You for the special place You have for the USA in this world. It was the first nation where the ultimate human authority rests on the people being governed. We are meant to (individually and collectively) turn to You for direction as to who will lead us and what laws are needed to preserve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. At this point in history, we need a restoring of truth and trust–in You, in each other, and in governing authorities at all levels (from families to the federal government). Father God, please show me specific ways I can show respect for everyone; love Christians everywhere; fear You and honor the government; and help me to carry it out. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Romans 13? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will volunteer to help someone become a citizen of God’s kingdom.
- I will volunteer to help someone become a citizen of the USA.
- I will volunteer to use my time, talents, and treasures to help correct some of the laws (local, state, or national) I believe are unscriptural.
- I will ask God to show me ways in which I am unconsciously breaking the law and ask Him to help me to change to consciously upholding the law.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.