“I Pledge Allegiance”
Text: Romans, Chapter 13
Introduction.
A man drives up to a large sheep ranch and locates the owner out in the pasture with his sheep. He approaches the owner and asks, “If I can tell you exactly how many sheep you own, can I have one?”
The owner scratched his head and replied, “Yeah, if you can tell me exactly how many.”
The man says, “You own exactly 1,746 sheep.”
The owner was amazed, because the man was exactly right. So, he said, “O.K.”
The man selected one of the sheep, threw him over his shoulder, and started to walk off.
The owner calls out to the man and says, “If I can tell you exactly who you work for, can I have the sheep back?”
The man looks back at him and says, “Yeah, if you can tell me exactly who I work for.”
The sheep owner says, “You work for the government.”
The man was amazed, because the sheep owner was exactly right! The man asks, “How did you know that?”
To which, the sheep owner replied, “I’ll tell you—IF you put my DOG down off your shoulder!”
Boy—we sure talk a lot about the government these days, don’t we? We talk about people who work for the government and we talk about the politicians. And, sometimes, we talk about taxes and how we don’t like paying taxes because the government misuses our money.
A man was walking down a dark street. All of a sudden, a robber jumped out with a gun and said, “Give me all your money!”
The man replies, “Hey! You can’t do this to me! I’m a United States Congressman!”
The robber then says, “O.K. Then give me all my money!”
Now, the politicians have their own way of looking at this. There’s a story about a reporter asking a politician how he felt after losing a big election. The politician replied, “I feel like the preacher who went out to convert the cannibals. They listened very intently to him—and then they ate him!”
As most of our regular members know, before the holidays, we had been roaming around the Book of Romans for about 13 weeks. So, this morning, let’s go back to Paul and his letter to the Church in Rome. If you have your Bible with you, turn with me to Romans, Chapter 13.
We find the apostle Paul talking about governments, and he gives the Christians in Rome some very specific statements and instructions regarding their relationship with earthly governments. Paul also gives us some very specific statements about our relationship with the government.
We might find ourselves not liking some people who work for the government—we might not like some of the old politicians or some of the laws they pass or taxes they impose. But, maybe we should take a step back this morning and consider what Paul tells us about what our relationship should be with our governing authorities.
Some might say, “My relationship with which government? What government am I under?” You know, my whole like, I always knew which government I was dealing with. If the city council passed a city ordinance stating that I could only water my yard on odd numbered days (and I was watering every day), then I knew I was breaking the law.
If I was driving 80 mph up Hwy. 110 toward Tyler, and a car with flashing lights (now Richard calls them “Mr. Do-Rights”) pulls up behind me, I know exactly what government I live under.
We all do, don’t we? If we want to question which government, the apostle Paul is going to make that quite simple for us in Romans, Chapter 13.
Paul addressed a number of issues in the first 12 chapters of Romans. They included the gospel as God’s power unto salvation—and everybody needs the gospel. Paul talked about being held in the bondage of sin and that who we were physically would not save us! He talked about the fact that we could not earn salvation by works, no matter how hard we work—and we can never be good enough to deserve it.
Paul told us that salvation came only though accepting Christ and being obedient to the gospel. Then Paul talked about the way Christians should be living—and that was by being a living sacrifice that was not conformed to this world. Rather, it is by being transformed by the renewing of our minds. Now, in Chapter 13, Paul talks about the Christian’s relationship with the governing authorities.
Read Romans 13:1-7
Does it seem strange that the person writing these verses has suffered greatly at the hands of the government authorities? Paul had been beaten with whips, thrown into prison and chained, and eventually he will be imprisoned in the city of Rome.
Do we find it strange that Paul said what he did while living under one of the most repressive governments in the history of the world? What was going on around Paul at the time he wrote this letter?
Why do you think he considered this a very important matter? I think there was a reason Paul was addressing these questions at this particular time. I think the Christians in Rome were asking themselves a number of vital questions about how they should be reacting to the Roman government.
They could probably see a number of reasons Christians and civil government might be at odds with one another—and it’s very possible that they might wrongly twist their answers and turn them into excuses for disrespect and civil disobedience for authorities.
It’s quite possible that Christians might have rationalized that since civil government is secular in nature while Christianity is spiritual, it was all right to ignore a secular civil law.
The Christians could have used the argument that, “Christians are aliens and strangers, just passing through this world (1st Peter 1:1), and that, “Christian citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Or, they might have said, “The Christian’s highest authority is God, and I am to obey God rather than man.” That is a true statement if man’s law opposes God’s law. But, does that mean they were not to submit to civil authorities?
The Christians—especially those in Rome—could be looking around them saying, “Some of these government officials are mistreating us, so why should we submit to them?”
At the time this letter was written, Christians were also noticing the clash between the Jewish State and the Roman Empire. The Jewish nation was preparing its final insurrection against Roman domination, and that would come about in a few years. Perhaps some Christians thought they should rise up against Rome.
After all, the Roman government viewed Christianity as merely a sect of Judaism (Acts 18:12-17). Therefore, Rome viewed Christians with suspicion. In Rome, Caesar was “god”. Because of this, they considered Christians as “atheists” and traitors to the state.
If government authorities were beginning to view Christians with suspicion—and even fear—Christians were also tempted to see the government as their opponents—enemies of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of this, Christian civil disobedience might easily have become common practice. Submission to governmental authority was a vital topic of the day, because the Church and state were on a collision course.
Let’s keep in mind that Paul is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and it’s consistent with what has been taught about governments throughout the Bible. Paul is asking Christians to follow the example of our Lord, which was set when He was living on this earth.
The Jewish leaders tried to force Jesus into doing something—anything—that would bring Him into violation of Roman law. They wanted Him to show loyalty to Rome or loyalty to the Jewish state. In Matthew 22:17, Jewish leaders asked Jesus,
---17---“Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”
Jesus answered them this way. “Why are you testing Me?” Then He told them to show Him a coin they paid their taxes with. He asked, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
The leaders replied, “It is Caesar’s.”
So Jesus answered back, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”
In Matthew 17:24, Peter was asked if his master paid taxes—and Peter replied, “Yes.” Jesus told Peter to go fishing and open the fish’s mouth, take out the coin, and give it them for Himself and for Peter.
When the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers came to take Jesus (this was right before His crucifixion), Peter drew his sword to fight. But Jesus told Peter to put up his sword. He told them He could call 12 Legions of angels to fight for Him. He meant they would win—however, Jesus chose not to do that.
Rather, He submitted to the arrest, even as illegal and unjust as it was. When Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…”, He did not mean that He did not live and submit to earthly governments.
When Pilate told Jesus, “I have the authority to release you or I have the authority to crucify you…”, Jesus responded saying, “The only authority you have is what God has given you.”
That statement Jesus made explains why Paul wrote what he did in Romans, chapter 13. Jesus said the governing authorities got their authority from God. Paul writes that civil governments are the ministers of God.
Civil Government Is Divinely Ordained.
Paul gives us a very clear statement addressed to all in Romans 13:1.
Romans 13:1
---1---“Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities…”
“Every person” means “without exception”. That means both believers and unbelievers. Every person is required to be “In Subjection” to the governing authorities. Subjection surely means “obedience”; but, it implies even more. Subjection focuses on the spirit or attitude of the individual, which leads to obedience. It is an attitude that leads us to not only give it our obedience, but also our respect. There is a difference between simple compliance and cooperation.
WHY? Because God is sovereign. The last part of verse 1 explains this.
Romans 13:1
---1---“…For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
Paul’s entire argument is based upon a fundamental premise:
· God is sovereign.
· He possesses the ultimate authority.
· He is the sole authority of His creation.
· All human authority is delegated to men by God. No one has authority independent of God.
God raises up nations and takes nations down; and, He has always done this. It is His prerogative, because He is God and because He chose to use nations and governments for His purposes. That is why civil governments are a divinely ordained institution.
God raised up a disobedient Pharaoh to show the power of God. God raised up the empires of Assyria and Babylon as His chastening rod for Israel. It doesn’t matter whether a government is democratic, autocratic, socialistic, totalitarian, heathen, or God-fearing.
If a government exists, any power over its people has been granted by the authority of God. It will last as long as God desires it to; then it will be brought down if, and when, He desires.
In Romans 13:2-4, Paul talks about the consequences of disobedience.
Romans 13:2-4
---2---“Therefore, he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
---3---For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same;
---4---For it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.”
The role of government is to punish those who evil and reward those who do good. This is consistent with what Paul told the Roman Christians in the preceding chapter.
Romans 12:9
---9---Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Therefore, God’s purpose for us and for governments is in harmony. Christians should be the best citizens for their calling is consistent with government’s divine commission.
A Clear Conscience.
Why do we do this? We submit to the governmental authorities so that we may have a clear conscience (verses 5-7).
What is a conscience? It is an internal standard defining right and wrong.
· Conscience is not only present in Christians—all men have a conscience.
Romans 2:15
---15---“Their conscience bearing witness…”
· The conscience of one person may be stronger than that of another.
1st Corinthians 8:7
---7---“For conscience being weak is defiled…”
· The consciences of some have become hardened and insensitive.
1st Timothy 4:2
---2---“…by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron…”
· The conscience of some people has been sensitized by obedience (Hebrews 5:4) and we should not violate our conscience by doing evil.
Our conscience is not an infallible guide to good and evil. While we must never do what our conscience condemns, we cannot assume that Everything our conscience permits is good, since it can be hardened and insensitive.
Paul’s conscience was very important to him. He sought to serve God with an undefiled conscience (Acts 23:1, 24-16, and 2nd Timothy 1:3) while he urged others to do as well. A clear conscience is a prerequisite for love and service to others.
1st Timothy 1:5
---5---“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
2nd Timothy 1:3
---3---“I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience…”
Hebrews 9:14
---14---“How much more will the blood of Christ who, through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Hebrews 10:22
---22---“Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
What does conscience have to do with submission to human government?
Mere outward compliance with the requirements of government is simply not enough! This we can expect from unbelievers; if for no other reason than the fear of punishment. But God desires a fuller, deeper obedience from the heart. This requires conscientious subjection—submitting done out of obedience to God.
Such an attitude of submission enables us to retain the right attitude and actions toward government—even when we must disobey specific laws in order to obey God.
Disobedience and Submission.
Are there times when a Christian should disobey the government? Yes, if the government commands a Christian to do what is clearly contrary to God’s word. When one disobeys, he must nevertheless submit to the punishment which government prescribes for this disobedience.
Since government has delegated authority from God, government’s authority is subordinate to God’s order if they differ. It’s always been that way.
In the Book of Daniel, Chapter 3, Daniel’s three friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedaego—were commanded to bow down before and image of gold. They refused—and rightly so, for they could not serve God and bow down to an idol.
However, the way in which they declined to do so demonstrated a submissive spirit. They did not refuse to obey all the king’s commands; only this one. They knew that disobedience might cost them their lives, and they were willing to pay the price.
They did advocate the overthrow of the government—and they were willing to submit to the death penalty if necessary. The same is seen in Daniel, Chapter 6, when Daniel would not cease praying to his God when Babylonian law dictated that he must.
In Acts, Chapter 5, the Sanhedrin demanded that the apostles (Peter and John) stop preaching in the name of Jesus. They could not do this, lest they disobey God. Though they could not—and would not—stop preaching about the resurrected Lord, they did not challenge the authority of this body.
Governments Affect Our Own Lives.
Throughout the Bible, scripture tells us—and Paul confirms it in Romans, Chapter 13—that we are to submit to civil authorities. He says they are here for our own good and to punish evil-doers. Even human logic will tell us this is true.
History shows that in any society where there is no government—or one that does not possess the power to enforce its laws—people live in a state of anarchy. Anarchy has a devastating effect on the people.
When people live without authorities, the biggest and strongest impose their will on their neighbors. Might will make right in this kind of world. The evil-doers are not restrained, and they and their gangs will run rampant through the streets injuring, raping, and killing every innocent person in their path.
The evil-doers will think nothing of destroying you or your family, and they will take all your property. The economic sector will be destroyed and you—if you are still alive—will starve. That is not a society that will bring about an environment conducive to promoting the cause of Jesus Christ. It’s not, is it?!?
Civil authorities can, and should, promote peace and harmony among its people. God has divinely ordained governments for that purpose.
Conclusion.
As I was doing my study and research over Romans, Chapter 13, there’s one thought that kept coming back to me, time and time again. It was this—“What a blessed people we are to live in the United States of America.”—to live under a government that allows us to worship God and teach the Bible.
Our government provides us with a peaceful environment to live daily and to promote Christianity here and throughout the world but does not persecute others who worship differently. Brethren, that is a great thing! But, you know, that also brings about a great responsibility on our part.
In Luke, Chapter 12, Jesus tells about faithful and sensible stewards who should know—and do—what the Lord wills. In verse 48, Jesus says—
---48---“And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him will ask all the more.”
To us this morning—from Romans, chapter 13—the question is this: Are we submitting and showing the proper respect for our governing authorities? And are we taking what they give us—a peaceful and ordered life—and evangelizing in our community and in the whole world?
That’s our question, and I hope we will all take the time to consider it carefully.
Invitation.
