Christian Civics Series

CHRISTIAN CIVICS

Romans 13

Introduction

I’ve been beginning these messages from Romans with a summary.

-The Good News is God’s Power to Save Everyone.

-Everyone needs saving - all have sinned.

-We cannot overcome the power of sin on our own.

-Salvation is a matter of God’s grace, accessed by faith/trust.

-When we trust, God credits us with righteousness.

-Only the power of grace can overcome the power of sin.

-Despite the war within, we are more than conquerors & remain uncondemned because of Jesus Christ.

-God has a plan to save every believer - don’t reject it!

-Through God’s work in our lives we are called to live a transformed life of love and attitude toward one another.

When I planned out this series, I did not do so with an eye on our civic events - so the fact that this message falls just two days before a Presidential election must be God’s work! (2024)

As we approach what can be a touchy subject these days…

-I do not intend to tell you who to cast your vote for

-I do not intend to tell you which party is more godly

-I do not intend to examine the past four years nor speculate on the next four years.

Paul ends chapter 12 with this admonition: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This is his way of opening the door to a subject that Christians struggle with - in Rome and in the USA! How do citizens of heaven live as citizens on earth? (Merida) I will invite you into the the Christian perspective as presented by Paul to the Roman church with three duties for the transformed believer.

1. THE CHRISTIAN’S DUTY TO GOVERNMENT: OBEY (Romans 13:1-6)

-Obey because God establishes authority.

(1 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.)

Barclay: “Paul saw in the state an instrument in the hand of God, preserving the world from chaos.”

Achtemeier notes that “while governing authorities are God’s servants for order, and are hence to be obeyed, the obedience is not dependent on the governing authorities either acknowledging or even being aware of that fact.”

-Obey because disobedience brings about judgment (2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.)

Merida: WE must remember that Paul was not writing in a perfect political climate. Nero was reigning. Nero was somewhat sane early in his career, but he grew progressively more maniacal.

-Obey because the government serves to restrain evil. (3 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.) David Lipscomb maintained that the laws of the land were really just for the unchurched because Christians already know how to act as they follow Christ.

-Obey because the government serves to punish wrongdoers (4 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.)

-Obey because it builds the conscience (5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.) Actemeier noted that, “Obedience to civil authority is a Christian duty, but it is to be exercised within the framework of the Christians’ more far-reaching commitment of obedience to God.”

-Obey because the government has the right to collect taxes (6-7 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 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.))

Joke: A wealthy but eccentric man called his preacher, doctor, and politician friend to his deathbed. He told them he believed you can take your money with you when you die. “I’m taking mine!” He gave each of them an envelope and explained that each one contained $30,000. They were to place the envelope in his casket when they walked by to pay their respects. All three men did what they were asked to do. After the funeral, though, the preacher’s conscience got the best of him and he made a confession to the doctor and politician. The minister said, “I needed the money for the church, so I took $10,000 and placed $20,000 into the casket.” The doctor then admitted to taking $20,000 for come costs he had incurred at his clinic. Then the politician was appalled at their dishonesty. He pridefully said, “I’m ashamed of your gentleman. I threw in a check for the full amount.”