Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 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 you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Romans 13:1-5
Obviously I haven’t planned very well, for we have arrived at these verses at a moment in time where many of us don’t really want to hear this, at least many of us in the US. Like many of you, I am not terribly pleased with my government right now; I am looking forward to the next election, and I’ll just leave it at that.
Yet, here we are and I’m not going to just skip the section because I’m not pleased.
Paul’s message, simply stated, is that human government is ordained by God, and that’s all I should have to say about it. Yet even though human government is ordained by God, human government exists in a corrupted world environment, and we should not pretend to be shocked when it turns out to be corrupt: It happens. What is really instructive in this teaching is that the government Paul was referring to had a nasty habit of persecuting Paul and his readers; yes, maybe we should reflect on that for a while.
If I had been Paul, I might want to write something quite different on this topic, but if I had, or if he had, then a great disservice would have been done to the Gospel. God did not call us to serve His kingdom so that we could engage in political action, for His Kingdom is not of this world. Instead, He has called us to share the Gospel, to share His love with those who have not yet heard it, to nurture and mentor other, younger Christians to maturity in the faith, not to protest stupid court decisions or corruption in Congress or the White House… or wherever it may exist in your location. I will add that if we did a better job of serving His purpose in a free society, it is quite likely that a very different group of people would be elected to represent us, without our ever needing to bring up politics.
By the way, when I teach such self explanatory texts as this one, this is often where I toss out a question, a rhetorical one of course: When you are driving your car around town, do you observe the speed limit, or do behave as the pagans do?
That one gets a groan from the group every time… 🙂
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 13:6-7
Taxes: Nobody likes taxes, except the ones somebody else must pay. Here in America, we have a horrible tax system, and I will boldly declare that if the entire Tax Code went up for a vote as is, and if it didn’t already exist, no one would vote for it; no one has even read the whole thing, and the people who enforce it don’t even understand it, and if you don’t believe me, ask a tax lawyer!
Now ask yourself, how was the tax system Paul lived under? Well… it was horrible as well! Money is not supposed to be our primary concern in this life; our priority is supposed to be on things that are above, so why should the inequities of the tax system be our priority? Paul’s message is pay them what they want and get on with serving our Lord in peace and love, for that is what we are here for.
Yes, I know… I’m gritting my teeth too, but that only goes to show that we have a long way to go to attain maturity in the faith.
Life Project Blog 
quite timely…
I can’t argue with that 🙂
Talk about timing huh? Enjoyed this one this morning, Don. Always do, but this one especially
Thanks Wally I must admit that I put off writing for the entire weekend 🙂
Because I am a CPA and do taxes for a living, this one is right up my alley. I have been appalled at our tax system for decades. If you are reading the tax code and it sounds too good to be true, it is. You haven’t read far enough. Keep reading.
Jesus knew what was coming, otherwise why would the symbol for Christianity be a fish from which came his taxes. Got to love his sense of humor.
Yes, He could be a funny guy!
A lovely piece – and I remember a “driving speed” comment from way back yonder.
What went through my mind reading this is not the paying of taxes we object to you. It is the spending of taxes we object to: the “waste” the “feathering nests” the “wrong things” the “vote catching things” the “I wouldn’t spend my money that way” things.
I often wonder … if my finances and spending were subject to as much analytical (and anecdotal) scrutiny as we think we apply to the spending of taxes – whether I might be very embarrassed – “but that’s mine” I hear the reply – and “taxes are theirs” I would respond.
(and 30mph speed limits – I still go at 40 when I can, and also 20 when I don’t have to)
🙂
Of course they don’t me drive any more, so I can talk all day long about speed limits; it’s my sole consolation 🙂
God is still in control. The church overall in America is nearly stagnant, but it is growing strong in India. Some day India will be sending missionaries to us.
Yes; they might be already for all I know
I actually met a missionary to the USA from India and one from Africa several years ago.
This helped me out a lot to process how I have been feeling these last couple of days. You said it so simplisticly. Sometimes I can overcomplicate things and need the Lord to just give me a simple word. Thank you!
Thank you Melissa!
When I read and hear comments about how the government is headed in the wrong direction and how we, as Christians, must change it (abortion, gay marriage, etc.) I am reminded of Jesus and Paul who tell us, repeatedly, that we are not of this world, and should concern ourselves with the things of heaven, and not that things of earth. Neither Jesus nor Paul tried to create a social revolution, they were not here to change the government, but the people.
Why are we so concerned about passing laws to change the government when we should be about the work of changing people? A study done in the early part of this century indicated that if those claiming to be Christians would abstain from premarital sex then the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions would drop to a level where offering the services would no longer be financially feasible. If Chrsitians would adhere to Jesus teaching on divorce then the number of single parent families would be cut to a third. If we would stop watching drugs, sex and violence on television and movies then Hollywood would either have to stop making those movies or go bankrupt,
It is time we stop complaining about the splinter in others eyes and remove the log from our own.
I think there is much wisom in you comment; thank you! I might also add, if I may, that since we, unlike Paul or Jesus, have the right to vote, we might consider showing up on election day and voting with conscience instead of voting for what we think we might “get”. 🙂
The recent events may actually play to the almighty’s hand to increase the following to get the word out, if some Christians will just “chill out” about their world or country coming to an end. The message is still there but a lot different group of people are in the mix and often passed by. If you want the change, you must reach out to all walks of life. Both genders, races, colors, ages, and even lifestyle now. Old white Christians will not get a God ordained government anymore. Find them a God fearing person they can connect with. Build a better widget…..
For the church, it is business as usual. Reaching for what is troubled in the heart and soul. Our pastor said yesterday morning that if they lose their “tax exempt status” big deal, they are not making money anyway. More personal. With all what is happenening right now, it is forgotten that nine of God’s more passionate followers was cold bloodedly killed by a disturbed individual a couple weeks ago in Charleston, SC that COINCITED with events in our capital. Notice I had no mention about flags, same sex marriage, preaching/singing presidents, guns, or racism..
Paul on taxes? Perhaps he may be saying, hey… at least you are blessed in life you can pay taxes.
And yes, I observe the speed limit. Yet, I desire to go a lap against Kevin Harvick.
Well said William!
And if you get a chance to do that lap, please be careful! 🙂
Reblogged this on lupeezee.
“…, or do behave as the pagans do?” That really made me laugh! Quite some years ago my dad related how he was impressed by a guest speaker to their congregation who talked of winning the pagans in your own congregation!
I bet that was a good one!
Now that I think about more, I think it was “winning the heathens in your own congregation,” but pretty much the same point.
Yes, I’d say… 🙂
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