Romans 13:1-14 Christian Citizens April 09
Thesis: Being a Biblical New Testament Citizen
Introduction: Do Christians have a right or an obligation to be engaged in secular government? In our chapter we are going to study today, we will see the character Christians ought to posses as good citizens and the biblical responsibility of government toward its citizens.
I. Obey The Law
The Bible is very clear, we are to obey the authorities of the land. We live in a very anti-authoritarian age. People do not want to be told what to do but the Bible tells us authority is derived from God.
Notice what the Scripture says, ‘Let every soul’, that’s every person. No one is to be above the law. Rather we are to be subject to the ‘governing authorities’, even when they are unbelievers.
In the day in which these verses were written, Nero was emperor of Rome. Jews, who already hated Roman rule, were being forced to leave Rome. Nero was a maniac and humanly speaking there would have been every reason to rebel against his cruel reign, yet the authority by which he ruled was derived from God and therefore must be respected.
The Lord Jesus spoke to this same theme when He said to Pilate, ‘You have no authority except from God.’ Even the authority of Pontius Pilate to have the Lord Jesus executed came from God.
There are two types of authority, The authority of God and the authority of man. God is the ultimate authority because He is God and by virtue of being Creator. Psalm 145 says ‘ Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.’
The Bible says when Jesus taught, He taught them as one having authority and not as the Pharisees and Scribes. (Matthew 7:29) Mark 1:27 tells us Jesus has authority over the spiritual world. In John 5:27 we find Jesus also has the authority to execute judgment. We discover that Jesus has the power to forgive sins in Matthew 9:6. Over and over again we read of the ultimate authority and power of the Lord Jesus Christ over every circumstance in life. Finally in Matthew 28 we read these words ‘Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.’
Since all authority rest with God, mankind receives authority by the decree of God. God made this decree to Noah after the flood. In Genesis 9 God told Noah, ‘Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed. For in the image of God, He made man.’ God invested into human government the right to protect life and punish evil. ‘For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.’ When we recognize that authority is derived from God we must….
II. Be Subject To Authority
What happens if we resist the authority of government? The Bible says
A. We resist the authority of God. Daniel said ’Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.’ Even a wicked despot like Pharaoh is placed on the throne by the decree of God.
Think of what life would be like if everyone decided today to resist and reject all laws. There would be anarchy in the streets. You could go any place where you be safe. God place the responsibility for protection of society upon the shoulders of government.
B. What occurs if we resist authority? We bring judgment upon ourselves. Not only will we receive condemnation from the rulers of this world, but we receive condemnation from God.
Does this mean there is never a time when Christians should exercise civil disobedience? Civil disobedience is an act by which you defy civil laws in order to obey a higher law. An example of this is found in Acts 5:40-44 when the apostles were beaten and commanded not preach Jesus again. The Bible says ‘daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus…’ in spite of the orders of the civil authorities.
If Christians never practiced civil disobedience there would have never been a Revolutionary War. If Christians did not practice civil disobedience, millions would never worship in secret in countries where Christianity is outlawed.
Now this is not to say that you have the right to break laws because you do not agree with them. It is only when a man made law contradicts Gods law can a believer find reason to practice civil disobedience. Most of our laws and law enforcement people seek to do an honest and faithful job. They deserve our respect and no one should seek to be a better citizen than the followers of Jesus Christ.
III. Rulers Responsibilities
One thing we must understand concerning those in positions of authority is they must give an account, not only to the voters who elected them to office, but to the God who invested authority in them. They will give an account to God of the use of their power and authority. Look at verse 4.
The Bible says those in positions of authority are ‘Gods ministers’. What does this mean? It means his office is by divine appointment. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus to Pilate? ‘You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above’. God has given those that rule authority to act as emissaries of God to protect human life and punish evil.
The Bible says here ‘Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil’. The only reason we should have to be afraid of those in positions of authority is when and if we disobey the law. They are there to punish evil. As a matter of fact the Bible gives government the right to punish evil even to the extent of exercising capital punishment. Note the middle and end of verse 4. It says ‘...He does not bear the sword in vain, for he is Gods minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. The phrase ‘he does not bear the sword in vain’ dates back to ancient times when rulers wore swords at their sides as a symbol of authority.
We should be submissive to the governing authorities not only because they can punish us if we break the law, but the Bible also says ‘for conscience sake’. The Christian ought to do what is right because he knows it is right to do it. James 4:17 says ‘Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.’ For you and I to know what we ought to be doing and not to do it is first and foremost rebellion against God.
We are not saved by good works but the Scripture is clear that God saves us for good works. (Eph. 2:10) We are to do what is right out of obedience to our Savior in order that He might receive glory and praise.
IV. The Christian Citizen.
The Christian is obligated to do two things.
A. One, we are obliged to love others. Look at verse 8. ‘Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.’ If we have a Christ-like love in our hearts and we express it through our conduct, we will not only be fulfilling Gods law but we will keep mans law. There is no law against loving one another. When we love one another as Jesus loves us it means we always seek to put the best interest of others ahead of our own. This means we are not going to break Gods perfect ten; The Ten Commandments, but rather we will seek to keep them.
Notice especially verse 10. Put this up a banner over your heart and head, ‘Loves does no harm to a neighbor’.
The second thing we are obligated to do is to…
B. Be on the lookout for the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Beginning at verse 11 we find the Christian citizen is to be living as if the Lord Jesus could come at any moment. We are roused to awaken and be prepared for ‘our salvation is nearer than we first believed’. We are to be engaged in the spiritual battles being fought around us and to be serious about living for the Lord Jesus. Verse 13 means we are not to parade around living like the world, indulging ourselves in the pleasures of the world, but we are to put on the Lord Jesus and put aside the flesh.
In waiting on the return of the Lord Jesus what are we to do to be a good citizen. One, we are to pay for our government, Two, we are to pray for our government. Thirdly, we are to praise our government when praise is due. Fourth, we should participate in our government. Our government is founded on Biblical values and I believer biblical New Testament believers ought to be engaged in our government if we want it to continue along the old paths our forefathers believed it should go. We ought to do everything we can to be a Biblical New Testament Christian citizen.
