THE CHRISTIAN AND GOVERNMENT
READ Romans 13:1-7
Romans 13 continues the greater process of being transformed. The Apostle Paul continues to set forth imperatives for practical, day-to-day Christian living. He gets down to the everyday affairs of paying taxes, paying debts, and living an honorable Christian life.
There is a simple outline to follow in today's reading.
1. Be subject to civil authorities (v.1).
2. Government is ordained by God (v.1-2).
3. Government is ordained to promote good and restrain evil (v.3-5).
4. Government is ordained to provide benefits through taxes (v.6-7).
I want to take a moment to focus upon verse 1, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."
In the very first sentence of this chapter, Paul makes it clear that every one of us is to be subject to civil authorities. Authorities come to power in a myriad of ways. It may have been by a senate, an army, or the people. The authority, whether just or unjust, whether legitimate or illegitimate, is to be obeyed.
However, the sphere of authority is to be noted. The government has authority only within the civil realm. The authority of the government does not extend beyond its position. For example, when Paul commands wives to obey their husbands, they are required to obey them as husbands, not as masters or as kings. Children are to obey their parents as parents, not as sovereigns. So it is in the case of government leaders.
When the laws of civil government conflict with the explicit commandments of God, then Christians must say, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). When a ruler claims divine rights, Christian believers must answer "no," for the ruler is going beyond the civil authority delegated to him by God. The ruler is trespassing on territory which is not his. But the Christian believer is to say "yes" to all civil matters not conflicting with the commandments of God.
You may want to also study: 1 Timothy 2:2, Titus 3:1, and 1 Peter 2:13-17.
Have a great day as you serve the King of kings!
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. How do you think the government is doing in our current society? Is it promoting good and restraining evil?
2. Why is it more difficult to subject yourself to rulers with whom you disagree?
3. What are some of the differences between the civil realm of authority and the spiritual realm?
4. Can you think of some specific examples when it is permissible to not obey civil rulers?