The Benefits of Submission
Romans 13:1-7 1 Everyone must submit himself 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, he who 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 he will commend you. 4 For he 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. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because 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 everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Intro: Throughout history there have been numerous leaders and rulers in the various nations, regions, and communities. Some of those leaders were good and kind and brought good to the people under their care. Others have been wicked, selfish, cruel people who seemed to have contributed nothing admirable or worthwhile. We think of some of the infamous leaders like Emperor Nero or Hitler and find it very hard to believe that God had anything to do with them being in authority for any good purpose.
-However, Paul essentially makes that claim in the verses we are looking at today. Emperor Nero was in power when Paul wrote the book of Romans. His reign began peaceably, but was later marked with such atrocities as the murder of his own mother, possibly a wife or two, and many Jews and Christians (some set aflame as human torches to light his gardens). Paul himself and perhaps Peter are thought to have been martyred under the order of Nero. So Paul knew all about wicked rulers, but still wrote what he wrote in this 13th chapter of Romans. Most of the Emperors were involved in homosexuality and their lives were laden with every conceivable sin. Still, Paul writes that God has established the authorities that exist and that Christians should submit themselves to their authority. Paul gives several reasons why we should submit to the governing authorities, some of them practical, some of them moral or spiritually driven.
-Let’s go ahead and take a look at them today.
Why Submit to the governing authorities?
1. Because God has established them
Romans 13:1-2 1 Everyone must submit himself 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, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted….
-Paul shows that this submission is something we each should take action on ourselves. Everyone must submit himself…. The failure to do so is the equivalent of rebellion against God, since God Himself has established those who are in authority. To refuse to submit to the established authority is really a refusal to submit to God and the plan that He has instituted.
-To whom was Paul referring when he wrote this? Caesar, Herod, other governing authorities- Paul showed respect and deference to all rulers he faced. One exception was the poser high priest who was so corrupt, yet posed as a spiritual leader. Yet Paul still respected the office of high priest, but took issue with the unlawful actions of one who was supposed to be an exemplary spiritual leader in Israel (see Acts 23:1-5).
-Peter weighs in with similar words regarding our response to govt. 1 Peter 2:13-17 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
-Part of the setting of Romans we need to be aware of was the propensity for Jews to get caught up in revolution against the Roman govt. Part of Paul’s approach here may be to discourage believers from getting pulled into a futile rebellion or a war that cannot be won. The Jewish Revolt failed miserably, resulting in the fall of Jerusalem. Yet, Paul does not qualify the strong words he uses in our text.
-If we are to take Paul’s words at face value, then we must believe that God has established the leaders who are in authority on every level (city, county, state, federal, and so on). However, God has given us the opportunity to be involved in the process. So we should vote, and attempt to influence the system for good in any way we can. In our system of govt. we are able to hold our leaders accountable, and I believe that is possible without sacrificing respect or submission to their authority.
-Most of us have been guilty of hateful and disrespectful attitudes toward govt. leaders with whom we disagree. In the name of righteousness we have spewed out some very harsh words of criticism. It is easy for us to justify such an attitude when those leaders take a stance that is contrary to God’s word and what is right. However, I’m not sure our attitudes would gain the applause of Paul, nor would they please the Lord. We should stand up for what is right, but do it respectfully, honoring the authority that God has established.
2. To avoid punishment
Romans 13:2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
-Their job is to uphold justice. If you set yourself against the governing authorities, the result will often be judgment or punishment for breaking the established laws of order.
3. So we don’t have to fear them
Romans 13:3 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 he will commend you.
4. To receive fair treatment and protection
Romans 13:4 For he 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.
5. For conscience sake
Romans 13:5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
-Rejecting govt. authority can show distrust of God’s plan. What happens when we don’t trust God? We take matters into our own hands, much like the Jewish people did when they revolted against Rome, and we try to force our will onto the situation.
-While there certainly is a time for action, and I thank God that our forefathers took action to break off from the religious tyranny of England, we need to remember where our battle really is.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
-We submit to the govt. authorities because it is the right thing to do. We will wage war against the unseen enemy and his lies through prayer and by putting on the full armor of God so we can stand strong against the enemy and his influence. Do the right thing and do it right!
6. Because we owe it to them
Romans 13:6-7 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
-It might be hard to call someone a servant of God if they seem to stand for everything that is contrary to what is right. However, the governing authorities are servants of God. Therefore, it is our duty and obligation to give them what is due. Pay your taxes and fees. Show respect and honor to those in authority.
-Our battle is not a political one. God may call us to get involved in that arena, but nothing good will come from it if we do it disrespectfully or dishonorably.
-It always serves us well to jump back a chapter to 12:1-2: Offer yourselves completely to God and don’t be like the world. Rather, be transformed by renewing your mind. This will help you know for certain what God’s will for your life is.
Close: What is God’s will for you? Micah 6:8 – Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. Are you walking with Him today? Do you know Him? You can! If you submit your life to Him, you’ll find it a whole lot easier to submit to the earthly powers that be. Why? Because when you are trusting God with your life and future, you begin to realize that nothing in this world will separate you from His love for you. And nothing can hinder His plan for you except for the lack of submission on your part. Bend yourself before God and give yourself completely to Him. Then ask Him to use you to influence the world around you.
