Sermon Central
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Obedient Citizens
Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 21, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Leaders of nations that oppress Christians are only hurting themselves by persecuting their best citizens. Let's look at why in Romans 13.
Leaders of nations and communities that oppress Christians don’t realize that they are harassing some of their most loyal citizens. A Christian value is to be obedient citizens? We obey civil laws because God wants us to.
Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. There isn’t any authority unless it comes from God, and the authorities that are there have been put in place by God. (Romans 13:1 CEB)
May Christians become rebels against civil government?
People who oppose the authorities are opposing what God has done, and they will be punished. (Romans 13:2 CEV)
The rare exception would be if governments demand that we disobey God. Generally though, do governments want citizens of good conduct?
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:3-4 ESV)
Do Christians submit to human governments?
Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. (Romans 13:5 HCSB)
Do Christians pay taxes honestly?
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. (Romans 13:6 NASB)
Do Christians honor national leaders?
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:7 KJV)
Do Christians make national debt better or worse?
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8 NIV)
Are Christians good neighbors and loyal to their spouses, obeying laws against murder, theft and false advertising?
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10 NKJV)
Do Christians believe in right living?
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. (Romans 13:11-12 NLT)
Do Christians avoid strife and antisocial behavior?
Let’s walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy. (Romans 13:13 WEB)
Why do Christians have good conduct?
Instead, dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires. (Romans 13:14 CEB)
Christians who obey their faith are decent and loyal citizens who contribute greatly to any society. If you oppress them, they will still obey Christ and you will be hurting your own country by harassing your best citizens. Protect Christians and your land is blessed. Persecute them and you hurt your own country. What will you do? You decide!