No images? Click here Earthly Laws under a Heavenly Order Pt. 1 Romans 13:1-7 April 21st, 2024 Though most Christians would agree that God is sovereign, the church today lacks a complete understanding of God’s sovereignty. One cannot read very far into Scripture before encountering the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. Even pastors in most mainline churches would agree that, in some sense, God holds some supreme power and authority. This flows out of God’s omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. The debate is over the scope and extent of God’s power. As we grapple with Scripture we will come face-to-face with the sovereignty of God.
The premier teaching of the Book of Romans is always the sovereignty of God, and this makes this Scripture contentious. In the first twelve chapters, we see God’s sovereignty in creation, judgment, salvation, Israel’s preservation, Gentile’s inclusion, and even our sanctification. Romans 13 shows that God is ruler over all things. God instructs believers to look at their circumstances through the lens of a commitment to God’s kingdom. We are to view all of life, understanding that God is sovereign over all things. We need also to accept the fact that we are to be subject to civil authorities, understanding that they are instituted by God and are under His sovereign rule.
In Chapter thirteen we will see what it means to live as faithful citizens, submitting ourselves to God’s ordained structure. While we may draw some applications, this chapter is not about politics or policies; it is about how believers should respond to civil authorities or ordained structure. Paul’s focus is on how Christians should conduct themselves in the society into which God has placed us. While the immediate context is submitting to governing authorities, the broader context includes submitting to teachers, to parents, and to employers.
Paul wrote this letter in approximately AD 56, and it was carried to Rome by the Deaconess, Phoebe. Rome was the capital of the world, the hub for commerce, culture, economics, military affairs, and politics. Nero was in power but there was limited persecution of believers until the fire in AD 64 for which Christians were blamed. After the fire persecution became widespread. When Paul wrote this letter there was societal ostracism, intense discrimination, and some pockets of severe persecution. Christians had no political power; there was no possibility of lobbying to effect a change of policy.
Paul is explaining that a Christian’s response to the circumstance faced is part of the Normal Christian Life we studied in Chapter Twelve. In verses one and two we were told to offer ourselves to God to be used as He desires. In verses three through eight we were instructed on how we are to use our gifts for the benefit of the church. And in verses nine through twenty-one we were told how we are to relate to one another in the church and to those outside the church. In Chapter Thirteen he transitions to how we are to relate not only to civil authorities, but to authority in general. God wants us to submit to authority so that we might rightly represent Him. God wants us to be lawful.
God wanted the Roman church to not be in opposition to the Roman government. Understanding our responsibility in the realm of civil authorities is a prevailing discourse even today. As we see the moral decline of our government in this post-Christian world, we begin to ask ourselves what are we to do, how should we react? What do we have a right to do? Should we ever rise up against our government? It is important that we understand that this text does not give us precedence for rebellion, even for those living under a tyrannical ruler like Nero. In verses one through four of this chapter we will see three reasons why we should be in subjection to the God-ordained structure around us.
I. Subjection is a Scriptural Command (v. 1a)
In Chapter 12, Paul was writing specifically to believers, but in Chapter 13 he broadens his audience to include every human being, everyone who has a soul. Every person, believer or unbeliever, is to be subject to someone.
The word which is translated ‘subject to’, hupotasso, means to place yourself under the authority of another. It implies a willingness to come under the authority of those over you. In the immediate context, Paul is talking about governing authorities, the political leaders in the Roman Empire. But the idea applies to all authorities in our life, and it includes not just obeying the police but also showing honor and respect to all in authority. Paul’s command to be subject to is in the passive-imperative tense. The emphasis focuses on the result of the command, but it also carries a characteristic of divine influence and of collective responsibility.
We see this as a series of concentric circles, beginning with the church and spreading outward. This will be difficult, but verses five and following explain that our conscience bears witness to the fact that we know what to do: our conscience tells us that we need to pay our taxes, to pay our debts, to respect and honor those to whom respect and honor are due. The church must come together; we need each other’s support, and we need divine help because it is going to be difficult as we serve non-believers. Since it begins with the church, the church sets the precedent for the entire world. Because we represent God, the world should be able to look at the church in any political context, under any civil authority and see what God desires.
We are to be an example of submission to the entire world. Living under subjection is the entirety of the Christian life. Of all the people of the world, Christians should understand the concept of submission best of all.
First and foremost, we are to live in subjection to God. We are able to submit because of saving faith and confessing Jesus is Lord. (Romans 10:9) This means that we will submit to Him in everything. We also subject ourselves to Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). Because of our subjection to God and Scripture we then are subject to the church leadership, with the elders in subjection to God (Hebrews 13:17). Wives are in subjection to their husbands and their husbands are in subjection to the elders and to God (Ephesians 5). Children are under the subjection of their parents (Ephesians 6:1). Employees are in subjection to their employers (1 Peter 2:18-23). We are to be in subjection to one another (Ephesians 5:21).
Subjection is an active, deliberate, intentional alignment with God’s will. Our submission demonstrates the transforming power of God and catches the eye of the fleshly man. As we go into the world with our testimony and the Word of God, we have a platform for the gospel; this is how the gospel is proclaimed to the nations. The premier example of submission is Christ, Himself, as He fully submitted to the Father’s will by going to the cross. We are told to have the same mindset as Jesus, who being very God, did not use this equality to His advantage. He humbled Himself and became obedient to death by crucifixion. (Philippians 2:5-8) Jesus said He did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). We are commanded to walk in the same way as Christ, in full submission to the Father’s will (1 John 2:6). Paul told Titus to, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities.” (Titus 3:1)
Subjection is seen as good in God’s sight. Peter, writing to the church, under Nero’s reign, after the fire, under horrendous persecution, greater anything we can imagine, said, “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people…Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:13-17)
Unbelievers mock Christians when they see us in submission. We must remind ourselves of the truth of Scripture; unbelievers are under subjection too, but just to a different god. They are under subjection to the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2); they are submitting to the evil one. The Christian’s submission leads to righteousness; the unbeliever’s submission leads to death. We are to live under submission because it is God’s command to us, and His example to us. We are to do “what is honorable in the sight of all” (Romans 12:17)
II. All Governing Authority is from God (v. 1b)
“For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (1b) Paul begins to list factors which argue for our submission: “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct” (v. 3), “for he is God's servant for your good” (v. 4), “For he is the servant of God” (v. 4). All authority emanates from the transcendent wisdom of the Divine. Authority is God’s idea.
All authority, whether of the church, the elders, husbands, wives, employers, civil authorities, etc. derive their authority from God. God delegates these authorities from the structure He has established. Authority is a manifestation of God’s sovereign rule. Psalm 75:6-7 tells us that God executes judgment; He puts one authority down and lifts another up. Even the wicked king Nebuchadnezzar is called God’s servant (Jeremiah 25:9), and Cyrus is referred to as God’s shepherd (Isaiah 44:28). Acts 2:23 declares that Pilate, who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus did so “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.” No one comes to a position of authority without the expressed permission of God. This is declared in verse one where Paul said, “those that exist have been instituted by God.” Thus, all authority comes from God.
Similar to the matter of salvation, where God elects but man is responsible to repent of sin and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, there is a predetermined outcome but also a present reality in rulers coming to power. In a free society, God has determined who will be elected, yet citizens have a responsibility to vote. In a monarchy, the citizenry is under the authority of someone they have not chosen, but through whom God is accomplishing His purposes. God moves in the heart of rulers, either actively or passively. Passivity is described in Romans 1 where we are told that God gave men over to their sinful desires. Sometimes God exercised judgment on a nation by removing His guidance, letting man go his own way and, thus, experience the consequences thereof. God’s active rule is described in Proverbs 21:1, “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” Whatever the means, the goal is to display God’s glory, honor, and power, and to refine His people. Political challenges make us dependent on God; this glorifies Him and edifies us.
The purpose behind God’s sovereign hand in establishing authority is to promote His glory and worship. The book of Daniel reports that Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that none of his spiritual advisors could interpret, then Daniel was called to interpret the dream. Before giving his interpretation, he first blessed God, declared that God is sovereign, and is the source of all wisdom. Daniel could foresee that God would do a mighty work in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, but not before casting Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and claiming credit for all God’s blessings. This resulted in him becoming like a beast of the field. Afterward, he submitted himself to God and gave praises to Him. Also, Romans 9:17 states: “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’" Jesus responded to Pilate in John 19:11, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” Jesus willingly, actively, intentionally submitted to the authority of the evil Pilate.
It is important to understand that just because God works in the way He does, He is not to blame for the actions of evil man. Just because God is sovereign over rulers and your life does not mean that He is responsible for the actions of men like Hitler. Hitler will be judged for his actions. God allows things to happen, but nothing passes through the mind of God without Him taking notice, and vengeance belongs to Him. We can take comfort in Genesis 50:20, where Joseph said that his brothers intended evil when they sold him into slavery, but God intended their actions for good. Consider the persecution of the church over the centuries. The persecutors intended to destroy the church, but God has used the persecution to strengthen His church, a great good. The church has thrived under every type of government imaginable, and the gospel has continued to spread.
We don’t want anyone to experience persecution, but we need to prepare for it. Jesus warned that “they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.” (Luke 21:12) This is coming to the modern church, and it will result in an opportunity for us to share the gospel. One underground pastor in China said, “In America the church has experienced prosperity, and is growing weaker. In China the church has experienced persecution and is growing stronger.” Persecution is much better than prosperity. Authority is the formal presence of God in your life. Living under subjection to God’s appointed authority provides an opportunity to share our testimony; this is God’s design.
We are foolish to think that peace can be found in any form of government; peace comes only from God. If we trust God, He will take care of us. People, countries, and governments all rise and fall, including America. Isaiah 40:7 states, “The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass.” Only the Lord stands forever.
III. God Judges those who Resist the Government (vv. 2-4)
God judges those who resist authority because they are rising up against His formal presence. Be certain you understand what you are doing if you find yourself rising against God’s authorized authority. Scripture gives precedence for ways in which one can resist authority, but it takes the wisdom of Solomon to know the proper time and actions. The word that Paul uses for resist means to battle against, to be hostile toward, to incite a rebellion against, including violence. It is not a passive action; it means to incite a coup, a violent uprising against the government. Paul reiterates the fact that rulers are established by God when he said that the ruler is God’s servant. If we rise up against His established authority, we are rising up against God, and He considers such to be a high-handed, willful sin!
There are ways in which we can actively, willfully, and intentionally affect change. We can speak out against an evil policy, we can vote, and we can take advantage of the legal system afforded us. We should resist when the government forbids something that God commands and when the government forces us to do something that God forbids. This is a standing for righteousness, it is pleasing to God, but it may incur judgment from the government. The word “appointed” in verse two means to set a direction. God has set a direction for His creation and to rebel against authority is to resist His direction.
Both believers and unbelievers who are found guilty of rebellion against authority may experience suffering. The suffering may be just, or it may be unjust. If we rebel against authority by means which God does not permit, we are sinning against Him. If you sin, and go against the Word of God, and don’t do the things we are legally allowed to do, you will suffer unjustly. We will be judged by sinners who may do horrible things to us, and we will also be judged by God because we are rebelling against Him also.
Paul tries to help us determine whether our suffering is just or unjust. First and foremost, we need to ask ourselves if what we are doing is good, are we obeying the ruler? Unjust suffering is what we incur by our own disobedience. If we sin against civil authorities, we should fear because we are outside God’s will, and also outside His protection. If we want to live without fear, then do what is good, obey their commands and obey God’s Word. Remember authorities are the servants of God for our good and for His glory - and this principle applies across the board. For example, if we don’t perform the work that our supervisor asks us to do in a timely manner and with the quality expected, we are rebelling against this authority and against God. This is especially true if we voluntarily put ourselves under this authority by accepting the job from the employer. Children who rebel against their parents, rebel against God. Students who do not follow the teacher’s instructions are rebelling against God. We should not be surprised nor have a victim’s attitude when we experience the consequence of our disobedience.
We can suffer justly, or we can suffer unjustly. Jesus suffered unjustly at the hands of men. He never did anything wrong, neither against man nor against God, yet He suffered greatly – unjustly by human standards, but justly by God’s standards. Someone may ask you a question in your workplace, opening a door for you to share the gospel, but you may experience consequences. In our neighborhood, in our home, in our school, there are various ways in which we may suffer consequences. It is good in God’s sight when we suffer when standing for righteousness. God’s hands are around us when we suffer for doing what is right. This doesn’t mean that we won’t suffer, it just means that we are being obedient to God. There are many examples in Scripture: Daniel, Stephen, Esther, the disciples, and there are countless other examples, even today as people do the things that please God. Even when Christians obey all the rules of an organization and are cordial to everyone, they may find themselves disliked just because of their faith. This type of suffering is not because we are rising up against God, but because we are bringing ourselves under the authorities in our life.
In summary, we are to submit to the authorities in our life because: a) it is commanded by God; b) rebellion against earthly authority is rebellion against God; and c) rebellion will incur judgment. Are there reasons why we should rise up? Yes, but it does require great wisdom, great Scriptural knowledge, and prayer and fasting before we rise up against anything that God sees as good and that He sovereignly directs.
Acts 5:29 is an example of acceptable disobeying of authority. Peter and John were commanded to not preach in the name of Jesus, but Peter said, "We must obey God rather than men.” There will be times when we are called to resist civil authorities, but the important thing is that better government is not the point of the gospel. A better government can come from conversions, so we must be about bringing people to Christ. We must show the world what it means for the church to live in unity, to live in subjection to authority, to use our spiritual gifts to benefit others, and how we can live in peace when there is chaos all around us. It is our obedience that proves to the world that God is on His throne. God has set boundaries in our life and rebellion against authority is one of those boundaries. We must be very careful when we consider crossing this boundary.
Selah:
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