In the midst of the season we are in (an approaching election in the U.S., a world-wide pandemic, unrest in many American cities and elsewhere around the world), I challenge you to read with an open mind Romans 13:1-7.
Read it again, this time more slowly.
Could God’s Word be more relevant to our times? Saying these words out loud might start a fight with some. You may even be tempted to do what the United States' third president Thomas Jefferson did with verses he was not in agreement with – he literally cut them out of his Bible. That's really not an option for anyone who says they believe in God's Word. So, we need to keep our scissors in the drawer.
Why are these verses so inflammatory to us? I believe it is because we have become a very independent and obstinate people. None of us are too happy about giving someone else authority over us. We prefer to be our own authority, deciding what is best for us ourselves. We no longer value good citizenship enough in the United States.
But some of you might protest, doesn’t the Bible say our citizenship (as believers in Christ) is in heaven? Yes, it is. However, Romans 13 also tells us we are not excused from our responsibility to the government we are placed under (by God). We hold dual citizenship.
If we flout the authority over us when a decision is not to our liking, that works against the common good of all of society. Romans 13 tells us that our civic responsibility is to submit to authority. Rebellion against what God has ordained for our common good brings negative consequences.
It is important to remember that the Apostle Paul wrote this to Romans who were under the authority of the Emperor Nero at the time. Paul was warning Christ followers not to identify with revolutionary movements advocating for rebellion against Rome. Similarly, Jesus faced intense pressures from zealot elements in His time in Palestine (Israel). But Jesus refused to endorse those zealots’ use of violence to achieve their ends.
Now read Romans 12:9-21. We receive instruction here on how to face a hostile world – “do not repay evil for evil” because that only follows the inclinations of our sinful flesh. We are to hold to a higher standard as followers of Jesus Christ.
Finally, even if an authority over you appears unworthy, the government established by God for our common good is not unworthy.
Now, regarding Romans 13:7 and paying taxes – where is my scissors? Ha.
Actually, I am to pay my taxes. I am to respect all who hold public office. And, I am to honor God completely with my life.
God's Word is powerful and important to us today (Isaiah 40:8).
