Relating to Authority – Romans 13:1-7
Relating to Authority – Romans 13:1-7
By Pastor Lee Hemen
March 25, 2007 AM
Almost every young person goes through a time of rebellion to authority in some form or another. Whether it is deliberately ignoring a parent when they are speaking, getting a weird haircut, or dressing is some fashion that is supposed to be against society’s norm. However the one act of Christianity that is taught over and over throughout the pages of the New Testament is the fact that the believer is to be submissive. This does not mean an acquiescence of our faith, but rather our willingness to set aside our own needs for the needs of others. In this the Christian is following the example of Jesus. This attitude is to continue into the are of authority as well.
While the Christian’s “citizenship is in heaven,” (Philippians 3:20) and we are now citizens of the kingdom of God, we are to be first and foremost living our faith out here on earth. Being citizens of God’s kingdom does not give us a “pass” on ignoring our responsibilities to the governing authorities. Yet, what is the believer to do when the government is ungodly or asks us to do something that would be against our faith? These are great questions and Paul helps us to be able to answer them in teaching us how to relate to authority.
READ: Romans 13:1-7
In writing on our willingness to surrender ourselves to the Lord, Hannah Whithall Smith wrote about a young man who decided to explore a dark well by sliding down a long rope. He guessed that the rope was more then long enough to reach the bottom of the dark hole, but to his dismay he reached the end of it without touching the well’s bottom with his feet! Dangling in the dark, he tried in vain to climb back out of the well. Due to his fear of being killed if he let go of the rope, he hung there in the dark. Minute after minute went by as he held on as long as he could. Utterly exhausted he finally let go of the rope and fell… three inches! We soon discover if we let go, then we can relate to authority in our lives. Paul teaches us that…
I. Christians relate to authority through their submission to God! (vv. 1-3)
1. Paul’s readers would understand the relationship a person was to have with their government! After all, they were citizens of Rome, the imperial capital, the seat of the empire’s civil government! Paul therefore knew then that “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities.” Why? Because “there is no authority except that which God has established.” In fact, “the authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” The issue here is not with what kind of government the Christian is to obey, but rather is the believer willing to be submissive and obedient to God first and foremost? If so, Paul realized that “rulers,” who are truly ordained by God, “hold no terror for those who do right, but [only] for those who do wrong.” However, when Christians are asked to do that which would go against the commands to love God and others, then we are encouraged to understand there are times when it is better to follow God rather than men! (Acts 4:19) Paul knew that if Christians wanted “to be free from fear of the one in authority,” then [they had better] do what is right” and they would be commended for it! The simple truth is Christians relate to authority through their submission to God!
EXAMPLE: After Madalyn Murray O'Hair, perhaps the most notorious atheist of the 1900s, mysteriously disappeared in 1995, her diaries were auctioned to pay back taxes she owed the federal government. They reveal an unhappy human being who didn't trust even the members of the American Atheists Association. She passed this harsh judgment on herself: "I have failed in marriage, motherhood, and as a politician." Yet she yearned for acceptance and friendship. In her diary she wrote six times, "Somebody, somewhere, love me." By the way, her dismembered remains were later found in 2001, buried in a barrel. Her entire life was one of disobedience not only to God, but towards any authority. Even her children were taught to be disobedient. And those she once trust, she learned to fear and she was later murdered by! She never submitted to anyone, especially God. Paul teaches us that Christians relate to authority through their submission to God!
Paul continues by telling us that…
II. Christians relate to authority because of our Godly conscience! (vv. 4-5)
1. The foundation for government is ordained by God! “For he,” the government employee, “is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Sadly, too many politicians and government workers have forgotten the concept of where government originally comes from -- God! Many think that they are “above” those whom they are to serve and are careless about how they administer their God-given office. Government is to be the earthly protector of the people. Nothing more. Hebrew reminds us that Christians are to “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17) Account to God! Far too often governments end up abusing the authority given to them by God. Governments exist to protect and defend the populace. They are to enforce God’s law here on earth. A Christian, Paul relates, has two reasons to be submissive to civil authorities -- to avoid “possible punishment” and to listen to his “conscience,” which prods him to obey God’s law. That is to be our entire motivation in life anyway. Therefore, the basis for Paul’s teaching is the fact that we as Christians are to relate to authority because of our Godly conscience!
EXAMPLE: Dave Branon writes in Our Daily Bread, “Nearly every day we face questions of conscience. We must choose between doing what pleases God and what appeals to our own selfish desires. Government officials may be tempted to accept bribes and to make unethical decisions. Employees are sometimes asked to rearrange numbers or file false reports. Students often face temptations such as cheating and plagiarism. As Christians, we face situations in our daily lives that are conscience-testers. They help us to see whether we are serious about the integrity God expects of us. We know our choices will have good or bad consequences, but the real test comes when we must decide what to do. What is the greatest protection against making the wrong decision? It is trusting God to take care of us as we choose to do what's right, regardless of the outcome.” A Christian’s godly conscience is to guide them in how they relate to authority.
Paul would teach us that...
III. Christians relate to authority through their willing support! (vv. 6-7)
1. However, a Christian’s responsibility to civil authorities involves more than obedience! It also includes their support by paying the taxes they owe! Remember, Jesus taught that we are to “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21) This is because government leaders, as God’s servants, are supposed to give their full time to governing and need support through taxes from even, and especially, its Christian citizens! So, quite frankly, a Christian ought to give everyone what he owes him (literally, “repay everyone his dues”), whether in monetary substance (taxes and revenue) or in “respect and honor!” The Christian does not have the “right” to pick and choose which part of a godly government he will follow or obey. We are called to obedience and part of that obedience is paying our taxes, whether we like it or not. Does this mean we as believers, in a democratic republic, can work toward and make changes on how much tax is paid or by changing the laws of the land? Absolutely! Christians should be involved in changing their government to a more godly one! It is another way of showing their support of the political process and the God-given government they are part of! Christians relate to authority through their willing support!
EXAMPLE: In India Christians have discovered a unique but simple way to give to the work of the Lord. As the women prepare meals, that consist primarily of rice, they measure out just enough rice to feed their family. Then, before the rice is cooked, they reach into the dish, grab a handful, and take it out. This is set aside until Sunday, when it is combined at church with the rice brought by other women who have done the same thing. The church then sells the accumulated rice and uses the proceeds to support missionary projects. They willingly “tax” themselves in order to see ministry done. One of the items purchased was a computer that is being used to help complete a translation of the Bible in their language. It is often easy for people without much money to look at the little they have and decide it's not worth giving. Yet, these women teach us a whole new truth to follow: Christians relate to authority through their willing support!
Conclusion:
Christians relate to authority through their submission! Christians relate to authority because of our Godly conscience! Christians relate to through their willing support of it!
By Pastor Lee Hemen
March 25, 2007 AM
Almost every young person goes through a time of rebellion to authority in some form or another. Whether it is deliberately ignoring a parent when they are speaking, getting a weird haircut, or dressing is some fashion that is supposed to be against society’s norm. However the one act of Christianity that is taught over and over throughout the pages of the New Testament is the fact that the believer is to be submissive. This does not mean an acquiescence of our faith, but rather our willingness to set aside our own needs for the needs of others. In this the Christian is following the example of Jesus. This attitude is to continue into the are of authority as well.
While the Christian’s “citizenship is in heaven,” (Philippians 3:20) and we are now citizens of the kingdom of God, we are to be first and foremost living our faith out here on earth. Being citizens of God’s kingdom does not give us a “pass” on ignoring our responsibilities to the governing authorities. Yet, what is the believer to do when the government is ungodly or asks us to do something that would be against our faith? These are great questions and Paul helps us to be able to answer them in teaching us how to relate to authority.
READ: Romans 13:1-7
In writing on our willingness to surrender ourselves to the Lord, Hannah Whithall Smith wrote about a young man who decided to explore a dark well by sliding down a long rope. He guessed that the rope was more then long enough to reach the bottom of the dark hole, but to his dismay he reached the end of it without touching the well’s bottom with his feet! Dangling in the dark, he tried in vain to climb back out of the well. Due to his fear of being killed if he let go of the rope, he hung there in the dark. Minute after minute went by as he held on as long as he could. Utterly exhausted he finally let go of the rope and fell… three inches! We soon discover if we let go, then we can relate to authority in our lives. Paul teaches us that…
I. Christians relate to authority through their submission to God! (vv. 1-3)
1. Paul’s readers would understand the relationship a person was to have with their government! After all, they were citizens of Rome, the imperial capital, the seat of the empire’s civil government! Paul therefore knew then that “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities.” Why? Because “there is no authority except that which God has established.” In fact, “the authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” The issue here is not with what kind of government the Christian is to obey, but rather is the believer willing to be submissive and obedient to God first and foremost? If so, Paul realized that “rulers,” who are truly ordained by God, “hold no terror for those who do right, but [only] for those who do wrong.” However, when Christians are asked to do that which would go against the commands to love God and others, then we are encouraged to understand there are times when it is better to follow God rather than men! (Acts 4:19) Paul knew that if Christians wanted “to be free from fear of the one in authority,” then [they had better] do what is right” and they would be commended for it! The simple truth is Christians relate to authority through their submission to God!
EXAMPLE: After Madalyn Murray O'Hair, perhaps the most notorious atheist of the 1900s, mysteriously disappeared in 1995, her diaries were auctioned to pay back taxes she owed the federal government. They reveal an unhappy human being who didn't trust even the members of the American Atheists Association. She passed this harsh judgment on herself: "I have failed in marriage, motherhood, and as a politician." Yet she yearned for acceptance and friendship. In her diary she wrote six times, "Somebody, somewhere, love me." By the way, her dismembered remains were later found in 2001, buried in a barrel. Her entire life was one of disobedience not only to God, but towards any authority. Even her children were taught to be disobedient. And those she once trust, she learned to fear and she was later murdered by! She never submitted to anyone, especially God. Paul teaches us that Christians relate to authority through their submission to God!
Paul continues by telling us that…
II. Christians relate to authority because of our Godly conscience! (vv. 4-5)
1. The foundation for government is ordained by God! “For he,” the government employee, “is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Sadly, too many politicians and government workers have forgotten the concept of where government originally comes from -- God! Many think that they are “above” those whom they are to serve and are careless about how they administer their God-given office. Government is to be the earthly protector of the people. Nothing more. Hebrew reminds us that Christians are to “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17) Account to God! Far too often governments end up abusing the authority given to them by God. Governments exist to protect and defend the populace. They are to enforce God’s law here on earth. A Christian, Paul relates, has two reasons to be submissive to civil authorities -- to avoid “possible punishment” and to listen to his “conscience,” which prods him to obey God’s law. That is to be our entire motivation in life anyway. Therefore, the basis for Paul’s teaching is the fact that we as Christians are to relate to authority because of our Godly conscience!
EXAMPLE: Dave Branon writes in Our Daily Bread, “Nearly every day we face questions of conscience. We must choose between doing what pleases God and what appeals to our own selfish desires. Government officials may be tempted to accept bribes and to make unethical decisions. Employees are sometimes asked to rearrange numbers or file false reports. Students often face temptations such as cheating and plagiarism. As Christians, we face situations in our daily lives that are conscience-testers. They help us to see whether we are serious about the integrity God expects of us. We know our choices will have good or bad consequences, but the real test comes when we must decide what to do. What is the greatest protection against making the wrong decision? It is trusting God to take care of us as we choose to do what's right, regardless of the outcome.” A Christian’s godly conscience is to guide them in how they relate to authority.
Paul would teach us that...
III. Christians relate to authority through their willing support! (vv. 6-7)
1. However, a Christian’s responsibility to civil authorities involves more than obedience! It also includes their support by paying the taxes they owe! Remember, Jesus taught that we are to “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21) This is because government leaders, as God’s servants, are supposed to give their full time to governing and need support through taxes from even, and especially, its Christian citizens! So, quite frankly, a Christian ought to give everyone what he owes him (literally, “repay everyone his dues”), whether in monetary substance (taxes and revenue) or in “respect and honor!” The Christian does not have the “right” to pick and choose which part of a godly government he will follow or obey. We are called to obedience and part of that obedience is paying our taxes, whether we like it or not. Does this mean we as believers, in a democratic republic, can work toward and make changes on how much tax is paid or by changing the laws of the land? Absolutely! Christians should be involved in changing their government to a more godly one! It is another way of showing their support of the political process and the God-given government they are part of! Christians relate to authority through their willing support!
EXAMPLE: In India Christians have discovered a unique but simple way to give to the work of the Lord. As the women prepare meals, that consist primarily of rice, they measure out just enough rice to feed their family. Then, before the rice is cooked, they reach into the dish, grab a handful, and take it out. This is set aside until Sunday, when it is combined at church with the rice brought by other women who have done the same thing. The church then sells the accumulated rice and uses the proceeds to support missionary projects. They willingly “tax” themselves in order to see ministry done. One of the items purchased was a computer that is being used to help complete a translation of the Bible in their language. It is often easy for people without much money to look at the little they have and decide it's not worth giving. Yet, these women teach us a whole new truth to follow: Christians relate to authority through their willing support!
Conclusion:
Christians relate to authority through their submission! Christians relate to authority because of our Godly conscience! Christians relate to through their willing support of it!
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