24 Romans 13:1-14
For the Audio Version on YouTube, click here - Romans 13:1-14
For the Audio Version on SoundCloud, click here - Romans 13:1-14
Romans 13:1-3
1Let every soul be subject to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities
that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore
whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who
resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For
rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid
of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the
same.
After talking about the way
we use our bodies, the way we relate with one another as believers, and the way
we relate with those, outside who might even persecute us for our faith, Paul
then turns his attention to another important area of our lives – the
governments in the cities and countries in which we live. God is concerned
about the way we relate with those in government authority – our faith is not
disconnected with our everyday lives, but rather, impacts every area of our
being, and every area of our lives as well.
The first thing he does is,
refers to every believer as a soul. That’s such a wonderful description of us
as believers. In fact that’s exactly how Genesis
2:7 refers to the first man and woman, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Our souls exist in our bodies and that’s also
why we should take care of our bodies as Paul just reminded us. Though our
bodies fade and perish, our souls will live on for eternity, with a new body,
in one of two places – heaven or hell.
Every believer is to be
submissive to every governing authority. As believers, though we are children
of God, saints, members of the body of Christ, living stones, a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, and
more, it does not negate the fact that as long as we live on the earth, we are
to be subject to earthly governing authorities, and their rules and
regulations.
Paul goes on to say that
every earthly authority that is above us, has been placed there by God Himself.
No matter how hard this may seem to accept, this is the fact and we need to
submit to these authorities.
Paul goes one step further
to say that whoever resists the governing earthly authorities is actually
resisting the ordinance, or law of God Himself, since He has placed these
authorities above us. So any laws that govern us are ordained by God and
therefore need to be adhered to. In other words, he’s saying that as believers
we should not think or feel, that since God is our ultimate authority, we don’t
need to submit to earthly authorities.
He goes on to warn the
believers that those who resist the governing authorities will bring judgment
on themselves. This means that when we resist the laws that are placed above
us, we are bringing judgment upon ourselves. When a law is passed, it comes
with consequences for breaking it, and so if we choose to break the law, then
we are choosing it’s consequences as well, which means we are bringing judgment
of the law of the land upon ourselves.
Paul then reminds us that
those in authority above us do not strike fear in us for doing good, but rather,
for when we disobey the law and do evil. So if we don’t want to be afraid of
the authorities, we need to do what is good, and not evil. In fact, we may even
be praised by the government for doing good. Sometimes the authorities are on
the look-out for those doing extraordinary acts of kindness, and recognise
these acts publicly, so as to encourage others to do the same.
Romans 13:4-7
4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if
you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s
minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices
evil. 5 Therefore you must be
subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For
because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending
continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore
to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom
customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.
Paul once again reiterates
that the governing authority is in position for the good of the people. He then
tells us that if we do evil, then we need to be afraid and prepared to bear the
consequences for our actions as per the law of the land. He seems to say that
the authority to judge misconduct has been given them by God Himself and ‘the sword,’ in their hand, is not for
no reason – it’s to be used against those who do evil.
He then adds that the
governing authorities are actually God’s ministers, meaning that God is the
ultimate King, and these are merely His ministers. Their job is that of an
avenger, to punish those who do evil. After reading all of the above, it’s
crystal clear that we as believers have a very clear mandate from the Lord
Himself, to submit to all earthly authority, even as we submit to God’s
ultimate authority over our lives.
Paul goes on to say that we
must submit to the governing authorities, not only out of fear for them but for
our own conscience’ sake, meaning that we are to do good and not evil, so we
maintain a clear, clean conscience. It’s one thing to do good out of fear of
consequences, but it’s quite a different thing to do good because we want to
maintain a good conscience. However good evil-doing might seem, eventually it leaves
one with a bad taste (feeling bad for our actions).
Paul goes on to talk about a
very important aspect – paying taxes. Paul says that since the governing
authorities are placed there by God Himself, since they are ministers of God,
since they are there as avengers to exercise wrath on those who do evil, we are
also to pay the taxes levied by them. It’s this tax money that the government
uses to run itself and maintain the country in which we live. Paul goes on to
give a reason for this – they are God’s ministers, and it’s their duty to
collect taxes.
Paul then tells the believers to give to
everyone what is due them, and he goes on to explain what he means. He tells us
to give the government what is due. If taxes are levied, they are to be paid,
if customs duty is levied, it is to be paid. Officials are to be feared when
evil is done. Those in position need to be treated with honour and not
disrespected. Sometimes, we as believers feel that since God is our ultimate
authority, we don’t need to respect those in earthly authority, but that’s not
how it’s supposed to be, and that’s in total contrast to what Paul is
suggesting here. In fact, we need to respect earthly authority, as an
expression of our submission to God’s authority, since He is the One who has
placed them over us.
Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another,
for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For
the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not
murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not
covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed
up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 10 Love
does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the
fulfillment of the law.
Paul takes this thought of giving people
what’s due them, to another level. He says that we are to owe no one anything.
This means that we are not to borrow from people. This might seem like an
impossibility for some, but it is possible, once a decision is taken to never
borrow. It’s a very relieving lifestyle when we don’t live in debt. One of the
world’s biggest problems at present is debt. There’s debt at every level, individual,
corporate, national and global. Given the fact that people get into debt for
almost any and every reason these days, the suggestion to live debt-free seems
impossible.
The only thing that Paul says we owe one another
is to love one another, and he goes on to say that the one who loves, has
fulfilled the law of God. He seems to be saying that it is our responsibility
as believers, to love one another and not to live in disharmony with one
another. He then goes on to mention the last five of the Ten Commandments, and
says that if we truly love one another, we will fulfil these 5 commandments, all
of which have to do with loving one another. If we love people, we won’t take
their life, we won’t take their wife, we won’t take their belongings, we won’t covet
their belongings, we won’t speak lies against them – that’s the last 5
commandments, put differently.
Romans 13:11-12
11 And do this, knowing the time,
that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now
our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The
night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the
works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Paul then reminds us to do
something - but before he tells us what to do, he reminds us to be aware of the
times in which we live. He reminds those of us who take life too easy and live
careless, selfish and worldly lives that it is high time to awake out of our
sleep. It’s a wake-up call for us – in fact that’s what this global pandemic is
for the global church. He then adds that we are closer to the Lord’s return
(when our Salvation will be complete) today, than when we first came to faith
in Christ.
He says that the times of
darkness and evil-living are over, and the time of the Lord’s return is close
at hand (which he refers to as The Day). We are to therefore repent, stop
sinning, and get back to God, and to our purpose for living, to be clothed with
the armour of light, meaning that we are to love God, and our neighbour, and to
fulfil all that our Lord would have us be and do. We are to live as children of
light and not children of darkness. We used to live as children of darkness
before we came to know Christ, but we are now to live as children of light.
Romans 13:13-14
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not
in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife
and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
He reminds them to live
properly, as one would live in the day, living lives that are pleasing to God,
and not indulging in wild parties and drunkenness. We are to not think about,
talk about, joke about obscene things, and not live lustful lives, where we
crave any and every thing, and person we desire. We are to not live in strife
with one another, envying one another. But instead, we are to clothe ourselves
with the nature/character of Christ, and not give room for the fulfilment of
any of our fleshly (sinful nature) desires.
If you were blessed by this study, please share it with others
God bless you and have a good day or night.
Michael Collins
Comments
Post a Comment