“Christian Citizens” (Romans 13:1–7)

“Christian Citizens” (Romans 13:1–7)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, November 25, 2018

Romans 13:1–7 (NIV)
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
       ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Main Idea: As redeemed children of God being transformed by the Holy Spirit, we have an obligation to submit ourselves to earthly, governing authorities (v. 1a).

1. Why?

a. Because all earthly governing authorities are ordained by God (vv. 1b–2).

i. Generally, in that human government is an earthly institution ordained by God to restrain human depravity.
ii. Specifically, in that individual human rulers only hold their positions by the sovereign, providence of God.

b. Because governing authorities are an agent of good, not evil, and we have an obligation in Christ to pursue good (vv. 3–4).
c. Summary: Submit to authorities (v. 5, see v. 1a).

i. Because they are agents of good who punish evil (see vv. 3–4).
ii. Because they are agents of God to whom our consciences are bound (see vv. 1b–2).

2. When? (Or, under what circumstances?)

a. The default answer is “always in all things.”
b. However, Paul is certainly aware of the teachings and examples in Scripture that provide a just and righteous basis for disobeying specific, immoral laws and rulings.

i. The Hebrew midwives who refused to comply with Pharaoh’s order to kill Hebrew baby boys at birth (Exod. 1:16–17).
ii. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in defiance of King Nebuchadnezzar’s command to bow before an idol (Daniel 3).
iii. Daniel’s refusal to comply with an immoral law prohibiting him from praying to God (Daniel 6).
iv. Peter and John’s refusal to keep silent and no longer preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18–20).
v. Revelation: the commendation of those who refuse to take the mark of the beast and bow in worship to him (Revelation 13).

c. How do we reconcile Paul’s absolute exhortation to submit to all governmental authorities with the examples in Scripture of those who did not obey governmental authorities?

i. Perhaps, the best way is to see a distinction between “submit” and “obey”: We can see ourselves as generally submissive to and subject to governing authorities, while recognizing that there may be individual laws or commands that we cannot obey because of our ultimate allegiance to God.

3. What?

a. In what things should we obey governing authorities?

i. Taxes – direct payments to government
ii. Revenue – indirect governmental assessments, e.g. customs duties.
iii. “All things” that do not specifically cause us to disobey our ultimate allegiance to God.

4. How?

a. In what way should we submit ourselves to governing authorities?

i. With “respect” and “honor”
ii. Not begrudgingly
iii. Not with mere external conformity