Submit to Government
February 4, 2020
Commentary
God has established these institutions: the home (Genesis 2:18-25), government (Genesis 9:1-7), and the church (Acts 2). Paul tells us what our relationship to human government is to be. It is God who established the governments of the world, so man must be in subjection to them. To refuse to obey their laws is to resist the God who established government. There are some in our day who would have us believe that because of ungodly leadership the Christian thing to do is to disobey the law, rebel against authorities and not pay our taxes because of ungodly leadership. Paul makes it clear that Christians must be in subjection to the laws of the State, regardless of the leaders.
According to the FBI there were almost 3.25 million serious crimes committed in the United States during 2002. Between 1960-1966 crimes in the United States increased seven times faster than the population. In those six years the population increased by 9 percent while crime increased 62 percent. Billy Graham says, “It ought to shock us that in many countries organized crime is the biggest business of all.” In fact, in America it is bigger than the United States government.
Even though we cannot always respect the man in office, we must respect the office, for government was ordained by God. Paul says government officials are “ministers of God” (v. 4). There are two big reasons why a Christian must be submissive to civil authorities: (1) To avoid possible punishment (“wrath” v. 4). (2) To maintain a good conscience (v. 5). Of course, the Christian must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29) if the law demands him to do something that the Word of God tells him not to do. The Christian keeps the commandments of the Law, not because they are law, but because they are commandments of the Lord.
Application
Who are the authorities in my life? Do I have more trouble submitting to authorities or obeying God? A person who refuses to obey authorities won’t obey God either.
Romans 13:1– 7 (NET)
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment 3 (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation 4 because it is God’s servant for your well-being. But be afraid if you do wrong because government does not bear the sword for nothing. It is God’s servant to administer punishment on the person who does wrong. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience. 6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing. 7 Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.