Day 31: Romans 13: 1-7: Respecting Authority

Christians are called to live with integrity and honor, even in difficult environments.

Paul teaches that governing authorities exist under God's authority. This does not mean every leader is perfect or every decision is right. But it does mean God is still sovereign over human systems. For early Christians living under the Roman Empire, this was challenging. Rome was often corrupt and hostile toward believers. Yet Paul encourages Christians to live honorably, peacefully, and with integrity.

Followers of Jesus are called to reflect God even within imperfect systems.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Happy Monday, my friends, and happy memorial day. We're not taking days off over here. Excited to let you know that we're starting a new week off in a new chapter in chapter 13. There are 16 chapters in Romans, so we're really getting down to the end here. Our theme today is respecting authority. And we're in chapter 13, verses 1 through 7. Our reflection questions to consider while we go through this devotional are how can you reflect Christ in environments that frustrate or challenge you? And why is humility important when dealing with authority? Let's read the text. Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For it is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God's servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone, taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor. That is the word of God. Romans 13 can feel uncomfortable because Paul starts talking about government and authority. And it's really important for us to understand the context. Paul is writing during the Roman Empire, not under perfect Christian leadership. And let's be honest, we're never under perfect Christian leadership, right? We are still any government, even with the best of intentions and the best systems and structures, are run by people who are imperfect. There can be no perfect Christian leadership. In fact, in the Bible, it says it's not until Jesus' return where he will put the government on his shoulders. So back to our study, Rome could be oppressive, unjust, and eventually would persecute Christians heavily. So when Paul says to respect governing authorities, he's not saying every ruler is morally right. He's saying God is still sovereign even when human systems are imperfect. That matters because believers often swing between two extremes, blind trust or total rebellion. But call call but Paul calls Christians to something different. He says followers of Jesus should be known as people who live honorably, responsibly, and peacefully whenever possible. Why? Because the gospel changes how we carry ourselves in the world. And this connects to something bigger. Our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. Christians respect earthly authority, but worship belongs only to Christ. That distinction mattered deeply in Rome, where Caesar was treated almost like a divine figure. And once again, I think that in our society today, in our time today, we can relate. We have those people that are very team one political party or person and treat them almost as a divine figure. They put them on a platform that is above human. So believers had to navigate living faithfully within culture without compromising their loyalty to Jesus. Something we are still facing today. It's attention. How do we live in a culture we don't always agree with? And Paul's answer here is not panic and it's not hostility. It's faithfulness. It's us every day choosing to live with wisdom, humility, and integrity while remembering God remains over everything. I think it's important to note too that God is sovereign. Yes, he it his plans are always good, and it's not like he's unaware of anything, right? And this doesn't mean then you completely do not engage, you know, in the political arena. I think that we all have a duty to be good. Um, I want to say civilization, and that's like, what is wrong with me? Citizens, and you know, to fight for injustice, you to vote according to what we believe and and to do things that are going to help our community to feed the hungry, etc., etc., etc. It just should not be the driving force or the our main platform from which we are are driving our lives, nor the way we're communicating um with others. And that can get hairy and divisive. But what got what Paul is trying to emphasize here is that we should still be living above reproach, that we are called to something different in both the community and unity of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and also the examples we are to people who don't have what we have in salvation and the Holy Spirit. All right. Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Love you guys.