Civil Obedience
'It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have
charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on
the earth. Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels
against the order He established, and people like that can expect to
face certain judgment. You see, if you do the right thing, you have
nothing to be worried about from the rulers; but if you do what you know
is wrong, the rulers will make sure you pay a price. Would you not
rather live with a clear conscience than always have to be looking over
your shoulder? Then keep doing what you know to be good and right, and
they will publicly honor you.
Look at it this way: The ruler is a servant of God called to serve and benefit you. But he is also a servant of God executing wrath upon those who practice evil. If you do what is wrong, then you’d better be afraid because he wields the power of the sword and doesn’t make empty threats.
So submission is not optional; it’s required. But don’t just submit for the sake of avoiding punishment; submit and abide by the laws because your conscience leads you to do the right thing. Pay your taxes for the same reason because the authorities are servants of God, giving their full attention to take care of these things. Pay all of them what you owe. If you owe taxes, then pay. If you owe fees, then pay. In the same way, give honor and respect to those who deserve it.' Romans 13:1-7 (VOICE)
We live in a fallen world. The order to submit is a curious one. Even when God says we are all equal in His eyes, yet, to the Christian, we are told to submit to government officials. Why? God's society is orderly and Christians should not add to the disorder and problems of the day by becoming lawbreakers and rebels. Rather, aren't we instead to show the proper respect for officials in power and to avoid money schemes and pay our taxes? Obedience helps us to progress toward right living, by being more Christ-like and living a life with a clear conscience, where civil disobedience often only adds to the darkness, chaos and pain.
In Paul's day, he wrote this letter to the Romans while knowing that there was one, a certain leader of Rome called Nero, who's mission in life appeared to be the destruction of Christians. Destroy them he did, and in a most horrible and horrific way. Even then, though concerned for his brothers and sister, Paul was suggesting that we must submit. It is always harder to follow the Lord's teachings when things appear difficult and those in authority are corrupt or insane and acting badly. Even still, submission is not optional, it is a requirement. Civil obedience. Just as Christ's example was to us, and so we must follow. Even though He was God, he submitted to the religious and civil leaders of His day and was crucified, yet guilty of no crime.
Being able to submit is a powerful requirement of the faithful. It is how we see ourselves. Peacekeepers. Slaves. Obedient citizens. Servants really. Serving one another through love, using the tools we are given to fight against those that are opposed to our beliefs and convictions through prayer. Fighting our battles on our knees. Using our words to speak truth. Carrying our Bibles as our swords and using our faith as our shield.
When we submit to those in authority, we are trusting that our God has everything under control. He cares for us. If we cannot submit to the government officials that we can see, to whom God has allowed to reign over us, how can we ever submit to a God that we cannot see? That is the rub. Then there is the gospel which teaches us often the exact opposite of what we learn from the world. When the world says 'hate your enemies' God tells us we are to love them. We are to humbly submit to authority and love one another, even when it appears that that those of this world seek to build up through pride and tear down through complaining and discontent. To those that do evil, the government is there to protect the innocent, to protect us, to keep law and order and to punish the lawbreakers. That imperfect government, even at it's worst, is better than anarchy and thus is the main vehicle that God uses to keep us in His will.
Look at it this way: The ruler is a servant of God called to serve and benefit you. But he is also a servant of God executing wrath upon those who practice evil. If you do what is wrong, then you’d better be afraid because he wields the power of the sword and doesn’t make empty threats.
So submission is not optional; it’s required. But don’t just submit for the sake of avoiding punishment; submit and abide by the laws because your conscience leads you to do the right thing. Pay your taxes for the same reason because the authorities are servants of God, giving their full attention to take care of these things. Pay all of them what you owe. If you owe taxes, then pay. If you owe fees, then pay. In the same way, give honor and respect to those who deserve it.' Romans 13:1-7 (VOICE)
We live in a fallen world. The order to submit is a curious one. Even when God says we are all equal in His eyes, yet, to the Christian, we are told to submit to government officials. Why? God's society is orderly and Christians should not add to the disorder and problems of the day by becoming lawbreakers and rebels. Rather, aren't we instead to show the proper respect for officials in power and to avoid money schemes and pay our taxes? Obedience helps us to progress toward right living, by being more Christ-like and living a life with a clear conscience, where civil disobedience often only adds to the darkness, chaos and pain.
In Paul's day, he wrote this letter to the Romans while knowing that there was one, a certain leader of Rome called Nero, who's mission in life appeared to be the destruction of Christians. Destroy them he did, and in a most horrible and horrific way. Even then, though concerned for his brothers and sister, Paul was suggesting that we must submit. It is always harder to follow the Lord's teachings when things appear difficult and those in authority are corrupt or insane and acting badly. Even still, submission is not optional, it is a requirement. Civil obedience. Just as Christ's example was to us, and so we must follow. Even though He was God, he submitted to the religious and civil leaders of His day and was crucified, yet guilty of no crime.
Being able to submit is a powerful requirement of the faithful. It is how we see ourselves. Peacekeepers. Slaves. Obedient citizens. Servants really. Serving one another through love, using the tools we are given to fight against those that are opposed to our beliefs and convictions through prayer. Fighting our battles on our knees. Using our words to speak truth. Carrying our Bibles as our swords and using our faith as our shield.
When we submit to those in authority, we are trusting that our God has everything under control. He cares for us. If we cannot submit to the government officials that we can see, to whom God has allowed to reign over us, how can we ever submit to a God that we cannot see? That is the rub. Then there is the gospel which teaches us often the exact opposite of what we learn from the world. When the world says 'hate your enemies' God tells us we are to love them. We are to humbly submit to authority and love one another, even when it appears that that those of this world seek to build up through pride and tear down through complaining and discontent. To those that do evil, the government is there to protect the innocent, to protect us, to keep law and order and to punish the lawbreakers. That imperfect government, even at it's worst, is better than anarchy and thus is the main vehicle that God uses to keep us in His will.
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