Give Obedience to God’s Delegated Authority
Romans 13:1-14
God wants only what's best for us as His children. Our lives will only be full and complete as we fulfill the will of God for our lives. Romans 13 is a continuation of Paul’s teaching on How Christians ought to behave. Remember in chapter 12, Paul teaches us to: Give your body to God; Give your mind to God; Give Your Gift to God’s Church; and Give your love to all men. Here in chapter 13, Paul teaches us to give obedience to God’s delegated authority.
Christians generally understand this chapter in different ways. All seem to agree that we are to live at peace with the state as long as the state allows us to live by our religious convictions. There are generally three ideas adopted by Christian family. First there are some Christians who believe the government is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with the state as possible. So they chose not to work for the government, vote in elections nor serve in the military. Secondly, there are others who believe that the government is given by God for the benefit of all. They believe the government has authority in some areas, while the church has authority in other areas. The state is generally concerned with the physical world while the church is concern with the spiritual world. The authority of the state and the church complement each other but they do not work together. Finally there are other Christians who tend to believe that the Church has a responsibility to make the state better by electing moral, godly leaders or by serving as an elected official. They believe the church is call to work with the state for the betterment of all.
Neither of the three groups supports the idea of rebelling against God’s delegated authority or refusing to obey the laws of the land unless those laws clearly violate the laws of God. Wherever we find ourselves, we must be responsible citizens, as well as responsible Christians. If we love God, we will keep His commandments.
God does not want obedience out of compulsion, but out of a heart of gratitude. Responding to God out of gratitude is what the Bible calls Spiritual Worship. In chapter 12, it is referred to as “your reasonable service.” It translates “your spiritual worship.” Every child of God is called upon to give God spiritual worship because of what God has already done. There is a new teaching that calls on believers to worship God to get Him to do something new. The common expression is “when the praises go up, the blessing come down.” Paul calls spiritual worship the reasonable act of a grateful heart. Worship has at least two distinct aspects (1) adoration or praise and (2) obedience or service. Worship must include those times when we celebrate God with praise and adoration. We should lift our voices, clap our hand and humbly bow before our God. Our worship must also include obedience to God and service to others. To worship God is to "serve as a slave" (Hebrew 'abad), that is to do the work of a slave (Hebrew 'ebed). Such worship and service is done in reverential fear and adoring awe, not grudgingly in face of threatened punishment. Service to others grows out of our love and devotion to God. Worship includes both outward actions and inner devotion. Spiritual worship includes both obedience to God and service to God’s world. We are to be living sacrifices to God. One theologian cautions, “Living sacrifices have a tendency to keep slipping off the altar.”
I believe God uses delegated authority to guide our lives. Some believers struggle in the area of submission to authority. This is not a truth to struggle against it is a truth to be embraced by the body of Christ. The apostle Paul urged us to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God. In other words, we are to submit our whole selves to God’s control. Give God your body, give God your mind, give God’s Church your gift, give your love to all men and give your obedience to God’s delegated authority. What does obedience to God’s delegated authority look like? How can we be a good example for the world to see? How can we live peaceable with all men especially those in authority?
Paul devotes an entire chapter to the subject. Believers are faced with delegated authority in every arena of life. For an example, their job may require them to train the supervisor who will serve over them. In the church, they may have to serve under a leader who they feel are less qualified than them. There may be thousands of ways this is played out in life. It is always an area of great struggle for the believer. If we love God and trust his judgment, we must submit to the authority God has set over us. How can we submit to authority figures who have less experience, less education, and seniority than we have? How can we submit to authority figures that have apparent character faults and shortcoming? How can we submit to those with a questionable reputation? First, we must realize that authority is given by God. God alone appoints those in authority. It is not our choice or preference, it is God’s choice. The bishop may give the appointment, but God always give the assignment. We can submit to God’s delegated authority by remembering that authority is God given. Secondly, we must accept God’s choice. Finally, we should choose to live in obedience to God’s delegated authority for wrath’s sake, for conscience, for love sake, and for Jesus’ sake.
Ps 75:6-7 “¶ For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
God may use any given system for His promotions, the election, the episcopacy, casting lots, but the ultimate decision is made by God. God alone puts one up and set another down. God is not a democrat or a republican. He does not ride donkeys or elephants. He does dispense authority as He wills. No president can be elected without God’s help. No bishop can be elevated without God’s help. Whoever God chooses to exalt to leadership, must be recognized as God’s delegated authority. They will not be perfect, they will make mistakes and error in judgment, but they are God’s choice. Some believers are selective in their obedience to God’s delegated authority. They will only submit to those they like or approve of. Paul gives us several reasons for consistent obedience to God’s delegated authority. Romans 13:1 “¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Paul gives the assurance that all the powers that be are ordained of God. God created the position and filled each slot with full knowledge according to His purpose and will. God knew all of our qualifications, experiences, and abilities. “As smart as I am, God choose them!” God knows your name, address and contact information, but you might not be His choice. God chooses and we must submit to His choice. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” Why does Paul ask us to be subject to God’s delegated authority? Why is this so important? First, we should live obedient to God’s delegated authority for wrath’s sake.
We Should Live Obedient to God’s Delegated Authority for Wrath’s Sake
Romans 13:1-4, “¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
Those persons with authority are given that authority by God to be a blessing to all. Yes, they may sometimes miss use their authority and over step their boundaries, but the authority is given to prevent lawlessness. They have been given both power and authority. And they are not afraid to use their power if we fail to obey their authority. The authority gives them to right to make demands and the sword gives them the power to enforce the authority. When we realize that policemen do not carry guns in vain, we should respect the authority for wrath’s sake. In the same, we should respect for supervisors, pastors and other authority figures placed in our lives. How can an employee disrespect his employer without receiving any repercussions? The employer has authority to terminate the employee. How can a trustee or steward refuse to submit to the pastor’s authority when they were nominated by the pastor? God’s delegated authority is a part of God’s plan to simplify our lives.
Ro 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
When we live in humble obedience, harmony is experienced in the land. We should praise God for good law enforcement. We should thank God that we live in a well ordered society. Paul encourages us to live in obedience to God’s delegated authority for wrath’s sake. Those in authority have both the position and the power to maintain order. We should subject ourselves to them for wrath’s sake.
We Live Obedient to Authority for Conscience Sake
Romans 13:5-7, “Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
Notice verse 5, “Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. There is a necessity that ye should be subject, not only for wrath, that is, on account of the punishment which may be inflicted on evil doers, but also for conscience' sake; not only to avoid punishment, but also to preserve a clear conscience as children of God. For, as civil government is established in the order of God for the support, defense, and happiness of society, they who transgress its laws, not only exposes themselves to the penalties assigned by the statutes, but also to guilt of their own consciences, because they sin against God. There are two powerful motives to prevent breaking the laws and to enforce obedience: The dread of punishment and the keeping of a good conscience for every person who fears God. These two motives should move all to obedience instead of rebellion. Paul is careful to explain what he means by living in subjection to the powers that be that is give tribute: paying the required taxes by your city, state and country; paying custom required for goods exported or imported; giving proper obedience to lawful demands on the Church and society; and finally, honor which is reverence, respect and high regard to all in authority. All these things are due to God’s delegated authority for wrath’s sake and for conscience sake. The believer must walk worthy of the vocation to which we have been called. Believers live in subjection for conscience sake. Their love relationship which God requires a mutual love for mankind. To rebel against God’s delegated authority is to rebel against God and disturb his own peace of mind. So for conscience sake, every believer ought to live in humble subjection. Paul adds that we should live in subjection to God’s authority for love sake.
We Live Obedient to God’s Delegated Authority for Love Sake
Romans 13:8-10, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
We as believers owe a debt of love the others that can never be fully paid. We have received such great love from God the Father and we are called to share that same love with others. There should be supreme love to God that is reflected in genuine love toward men. Love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Love should spring from the believer’s heart, accompanying all their actions and interactions with others. Paul writes this passage for the benefit of the rulers and ruled over, the servants and the masters; they all must seek each other's highest good. This is the design and fulfillment of the law. The law was designed to cause men to act with love God and mankind. The Law commanded that we love God with all our heart, mind and soul; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Love should be the guiding principle in every station of life. Every believer should strive to do unto others as they desire others to do to them. We live in subjection to God’s delegated authority for wrath’s sake, for conscience sake, and for love sake. If love is the motivating principle, the believer will not commit adultery, or kill, or steal, or bear false witness, or covet what one else has. Love works no ill against a brother or sister. If love is the guiding principle, both the master and the slave will deal justly. We should live in subjection to God’s delegated authority for wrath’s sake, for conscience sake, and for love sake. Paul suggests that we should obey for wrath’s sake, but if not, then obey for conscience sake. If not for wrath’s sake or conscience sake, do it for love sake.
We Live Obedient to Authority for Jesus’ Sake
Romans 13:11-14, “¶ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
We are called to live obedient for wrath’s sake, for conscience sake, for love’s sake and finally, for Jesus’ sake. Paul says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Paul reminds us of who we are and to whom we belong. We are in intimate union with Jesus Christ; clothed with all of His graces and representing Him in the earth. The apostle does not say, put on purity, sobriety, peacefulness, benevolence and love; but he says, “Put on Christ.” To put on the Lord Jesus means to take him as a pattern and guide, to imitate his example, to obey His precepts, to become like Him in all aspect. The Lord Jesus Christ lived his life with an urgency to do God’s will. He was temperate, chaste, pure, peaceable, and meek; and to put Christ was to imitate him in every manner. When Jesus was reviled, he held his peace and refused to rebel. In 1 Peter 2:23, taking about Jesus, the text says, “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” Jesus submitted himself to God, believing that God who judges righteously would take care of him. Jesus refused to fight back or rebel against God’s delegated authority. The psalmist, David displayed that same attitude when he was being pursued by King Saul. David’s men urged him to kill Saul, but David said in 1 Chronicles 16:22, “Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” David refused to rebel against God’s delegated authority. King Saul was mean, ruthless and wrong, but he was God’s delegated authority. We should submit to God’s delegated authority for Jesus’ sake. Jesus was and is love. He walk in love. We are called to walk in love not lust. Lust desires to satisfy self at the expense of others. Love desires to satisfy others at the expense of self. Jesus is our pattern for selfless living. He demonstrated his love by his death, burial and resurrection on our behalf. He walked a path of love, humility, truth, and service. As we face situations in life, we should ask ourselves, what would Jesus do? Then respond appropriately. If we do not submit to God’s delegated authority for wrath’s sake, conscience sake, or love sake, we should do it for Jesus’ sake. We have put on Christ; He is the garment we wear. Although, the world around us may live to gratify the flesh, we must make no provision for the flesh, nor fulfill its lusts. We must avoid opening the door to fulfill any sinful lust. We belong to Christ. We have put on Christ. Because we have put on Christ, we ought to walk better, talk better and live a little better. We ought to walk in obedience to authority because we follow Christ’ example.
Have ever notice little children at Easter time? Put them on a new outfit and they will begin to walk different. They recognize what they have on. Everyone can see their pride shining through. In the same way, the believer has put on Christ. Christ is our new outfit. We should be careful about how we talk, where we walk and the way we live. We are called to live in obedience to authority for wrath’s sake, for conscience sake, for love’s sake and for Jesus’ sake. Jesus taught his disciples about how to respond to God’s delegated authority in several passages.
Luke 10:16 “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.”
John 13:20, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.”
Matthew 10:40-42 “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
Some may be tempted to offer God a spiritual worship that does not include obedience to authority, but spiritual worship that does not include obedience is half hearted service. Spiritual worship which is your reasonable service has at least two distinct aspects (1) adoration or praise, and (2) obedience or service. We should lift our voice in praise and adoration, but should also follow through with obedience and service. We are called to live in obedience to God’s delegated authority for wrath’s sake, for conscience sake, for love’s sake and finally, for Jesus’ sake.
