AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE FOR AN INAPPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT
Romans 13:1-7
“We believe the Holy Scriptures . . .
to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the FINAL AUTHORITY FOR FAITH AND LIFE, ...”
“The Bible is our FINAL authority!” Is it REALLY?
We don’t always follow that affirmation consistently!
Comment on panel: “I don’t like to say that God creates evil/disaster!”
Next few weeks I’m going to put you to the test. Do we REALLY think the Bible is our FINAL authority?
Next few weeks we’re going to get pretty uncomfortable with what Paul says!
I’m going to hear a lot of “But!”’s – a lot of “but you can’t live that way!”’s
The gospel produces change that AFFECTS EVERY AREA OF OUR LIFE.
It changes our relationship with God; transforms our attitudes and our lifestyle.
-The Gospel gives us a different attitude toward God
-It gives us a different attitude toward ourselves
-It gives us a different attitude toward one another
-It gives us a different attitude toward those outside the church
it even gives us a different attitude toward our government.
Daniel Webster: “Whatever makes people good Christians makes them good citizens.”
God's children recognize that He establishes world governments.
Dan. 4:17-- "the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to whom He wishes."
God sets up kings; and He removes them, according to His plan.
Since we acknowledge God's control of government, we who belong to His family willingly submit to His authority, and to authority He’s established.
Submission to government is one way of demonstrating our submission to the God who established that authority.
It’s easy to submit to authority of a just government.
But what about when government is corrupt?
Has God established that kind of government?
Am I supposed to submit to an unjust pagan government?
Notorious Nero was emperor of Rome from A.D. 54 to 68.
–one of vilest of tyrants.
–persecuted Christians after great fire of Rome which consumed 3/4 of city.
He accused them of starting the fire, to divert attention from himself.
–Paul and Peter were martyred under his rule.
He’s ruling when Paul recorded these words!
If ever government gave Christian citizens an excuse for not submitting, it was Nero’s!
If unjust govt. gives us an excuse to rebel, Paul’s argument is absurd!
Tico believer at front of rebellious mob, with a rock in his hand!
What does Rom 13:1-7 require of us in relationship to our government?
Paul doesn’t provide easy answers, but he does provide God’s expectation for His family!
SUBMISSION COMMANDED 13:1a
Response to all God has done for us: submit to authorities He has set up.
Command suggests two questions:
1. TO WHOM SHOULD WE SUBMIT?
General description–anyone in place of authority–all who have authority over us
Peter presents 4 spheres of authority God has established:
1 Peter Sphere Authority Subject Command
2:13-14 Government King, governor Everyone SUBMIT
2:18-20 Work Employer Employees SUBMIT
3:1-6 Home Husband Wife SUBMIT
5:5 Church Elders Young people SUBMIT
We might add school authorities to list
In each sphere, God has given authority to someone.
People who recognize God's right to rule submit to authority He has established.Word used is same; means “submit”.
2. WHAT DOES IT MEAN "TO SUBMIT"? Notice he doesn't use “obey.”
Many think it’s the same thing; but each has a different meaning.
Not a synonym for “obey”!
"But I'm still standing up on the inside!" –Child obeyed, but didn’t submit!
Submission is an attitude.
Recognizes authority and voluntarily places us under orders.
Paul didn’t ALWAYS obey orders of leaders.
We sometimes obey without submitting; possible to submit without obeying everything
Difference is in our attitude
In Acts 4:18-31 and 5:24-42, leaders prohibited apostles from teaching in name of Jesus.
Apostles acknowledged priority of obeying God before men–continued preaching!
When confronted by leaders, they didn't protest/fight back; weren’t in rebellion.
They submitted to authority and accepted consequences of disobedience, without fighting
Praise God for being counted worthy to suffer for His name.
Biblical disobedience is never rebellion, nor a personal attack.
Recognizes authority; obeys Someone greater–when 2 conflict.
Biblical disobedience, rather than produce rebellion, results in praise for God.
Submission is voluntary response to authority God has established.
It’s an attitude of the heart! – No one can force us into submission!
SUBMISSION EXPLAINED 13:1b-6
6 times tells us main reason we submit:
We don’t submit because governments are good or just;
We submit because of Source of their authority.
SOURCE OF AUTHORITY 13:1b Where does governmental authority come from?
God has established them; their authority comes from God.
Those who recognize that God has right to rule, show that by submitting to authorities He established.
To avoid confusion, Paul defines source of authority 2 ways:
1st –No authority exists apart from that which comes from God.
2nd –Those which do exist have been established by God.
Every govt., however corrupt, exists because God established it.
When they no longer accomplish His purpose, God removes them.
Paul understood problem of corrupt govt.!
O.T. examples abound
John the Baptist beheaded by Herod.
Jesus crucified by Pilate’s guard
James slain by later Herod’s sword.
Paul locked up by Roman guards; martyred by Nero
Yet, he affirmed that the governments that exist are established by God!
God is able to send catastrophic events, wars, or rebellion to eliminate leaders who no longer do what He wants.
Principle apparent throughout biblical history.
In Paul's day God used Roman empire, with its brute force, cruelty and pagan customs.
NOT ideal, just govt.– They mistreated God's people
Even under their power, Paul affirms: there’s no government except that God established.
In O.T., God set up kings, and removed them–at will!
Dan 4 God reveals how He humbles Nebuchadnezzar, king of great Babylonian empire.
Principle: God sets up and takes down kings
Just as true for presidents and kings today as in Paul's day.
Our prayer for Africa
"In Zambia 3 missionaries were thrown into prison for distributing Bibles and literature–beaten with rifle butts, prodded with bayonets, stripped naked, thrown into cells filled with human filth. Among those in jail were others in trouble with govt. Godly missionaries prayed and witnessed. The people observed their witness and hope that’s ours in Christ
"Then captives were released. They never suspected they were speaking to future Pres. and V.P. of Zambia. Eventually Frederick Chiluba was elected president. In Dec. 1991, new president publicly confessed sins of the nation, testified to saving power of Christ, and called for a national day of prayer.
There’s no question corrupt government exists today as it did in Paul’s day!
History professor: “America is in hands of people who don’t understand our spiritual heritage.”
Do you want to know if our president has been named as God's servant?
It’s not because he’s a republican–or even because he professes faith in Christ!
Paul gives answer: If he’s in authority over our country, he’s been placed there by God.
People who recognize God's authority and His right to rule in their life, demonstrate that commitment by submitting to govt. He sets up.
This principle has never been easy to accept, especially faced with unjust conditions!
Wasn't easy in Paul's day under pagan Rome!
Biblical principle always goes against flow!
God never asked us to vote on it! He asks us to trust Him and obey Him.
EVERY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY GOD
(even bad ones!)
[ Recognition that God establishes govt. authority forces us to other logical conclusions]
TRUE NATURE OF REBELLION 13:2
If govt. authority is from God, we’re forced to 2 other conclusions:
1. Those who rebel against authority God established
end up fighting against God Himself.
2. Those who rebel against authority God established
will be judged by God
Ps 2 –people always fighting authority God established. God judges those who resist His authority
God’s people shouldn’t ally ourselves with world's rebellion.
What does example of apostles, or Paul, teach us about participation in such activities?
Our experience isn’t identical to apostles’.
Circumstances may arise when we have to disobey govt., while subject to authority God placed in it.
How should we conduct ourselves in such a case?
Satan loves to divert God’s children–get us to join his rebellion
God’s people ought to acknowledge God's sovereignty and trust Him to accomplish what’s best
Doesn’t mean we never do anything–about injustice or corrupt govt.
We can use tools God has provided to accomplish His purposes:
prayer good works personal testimony deeds of justice and of mercy.
We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be accused of indifference to social conditions
We ought to do try to change circumstances which keep people oppressed, without losing sight of cause of affliction, and of people’s need to be transformed from inside out.
REASON FOR GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY 13:3-6
3 Xs: Authorities are established to serve God; they’re HIS servants.
Government authority exists to serve God
Government authority exists to reward people who do good
Governments exist to ensure the welfare of the people.
God hasn't established them to create fear among those who obey God!
Since people don’t volunteer to obey God’s standards, He designates authorities to obligate people to live by them.
Those who live by His standards shouldn't fear authorities
Only those who refuse to obey have to worry about what government will do
Government authority exists to punish people who do wrong
That’s why they carry the sword!
If they exist for these reasons, how should we respond to them? 13:5
We submit to them to avoid punishment
More important reason to be subject to them:
We submit to authority to keep our conscience clear.
Our conscience tells us to obey the law and submit to government.
If we don’t submit to authorities God established, we won’t be at peace with Him either.
God’s children, should live to please Him!
Paying taxes affirms this truth 13:6
We pay taxes because rulers are God's servants
Christians in Paul’s day questioned that! –idealistic dream–bit removed from reality!
Paul didn’t use argument as pretext against submission, but as basis for demanding it.
SUBMISSION PRACTICED 13:7 What should our response to govt. be?
God's children ought to demonstrate our submission to authorities He has established by fulfilling our obligations faithfully.
Concerning all our obligations, we should fulfill them faithfully!
Concerning taxes, we should report honestly, and pay all we owe.
Two kinds mentioned: “taxes/revenues” “tax/custom”
We don't honor God by giving Him funds we cheated to get!
Concerning people who deserve respect, we give them respect
Concerning people who deserve honor, we give them honor
Not praise God deserves (Dan. 3 & 6); but we recognize authority God vested in them.
To make light of one God has given authority to is same as making light of God!
To be disrespectful of them is to be disrespectful of God who put them there!
Have we faithfully fulfilled our responsibilities to those God has placed over us?
Have we paid all we owe?
What more should I give to authorities God has placed over me?
Can your tax consultant tell you’re a Christian? Your police? Your husband orwife?
Question isn't "What does God require of my government?"
But rather, "What does God require of ME?"
WHAT DIFFERENCE SHOULD THIS TRUTH MAKE IN OUR LIFE THIS WEEK?
How should our attitude concerning authority be different from our neighbors'?
We may have to give fresh thought to this issue in coming years.
God’s Word speaks clearly in the context of pagan Rome.
In light of “paganization of America,” we may have to face “Nero’s Rome” all over again.
If Robert Bork is right, that society is “Slouching towards Gomorrah,” do we slouch along with the crowd, or do we take a stand for godliness.
Rom 12 insists we aren’t to “slouch along with the crowd.”
We’re to submit to govt. authority, recognizing HE still sets up and removes leaders!
GOOD CHRISTIANS STILL MAKE GOOD CITIZENS!
We ought to be the best!
Ultimately, our godliness will attract people to God, NOT our protest marches!