The Christian and Government Authority

Today, we turn to Romans 13:1-7, a passage that challenges us to examine our relationship with governing authorities through the lens of our ultimate allegiance to God and His Word.

This scripture compels us to reflect on how we, as Christians, are to respond to the laws and regulations set by those in power, while remaining steadfast in our submission to God's authority.

Illustration:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the story of Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church in Canada became a striking example for us.

Pastor Coates faced imprisonment for defying government restrictions on public gatherings, including church services.

His decision to keep his church open despite public health mandates sparked a widespread debate, not just about religious freedom, but more profoundly about the call to submit to God's authority and Scripture above all else.

This of course is becoming a greater reality for the Church as our government moves further away from God and embraces and propagates destructive lies.

This morning, as we work our way through Romans 13:1-7.

My prayer is that we understand how this passage guides us in honoring both God and government.

We will work through these verses by trying to understand:

The Source of Authority (vv1-2)

The Purpose of Authority (vv3-4)

The Responsibility of Christians (5-7)

Point One: The Source of Authority

First question I have is this: What is the biblical definition of authority:

Jonathan Leeman in his new book “Authority” defines it as:

Authority: The (moral license) power and right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, and make decisions.

Authority is an office.

Here is what I mean:

Authority is not something humans intrinsically are, it’s something that must be given to us (authorization) or step into, and therefore it comes with limits.

Authority is given by God for the purpose of blessing and benefiting others, protecting the vulnerable, and promoting the well-being and flourishing of communities.

Leeman further emphasizes in his book that true authority is exercised in accordance with God's character and purposes, seeking to serve and uplift those under its influence.

Now that we have Authority solidly defined, Paul says

Romans 13:1–2 (ESV)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

The Apostle Paul here gives us here what we might call “the divine right of the state”, as he says here in verses 1.

I found an interesting quote from Richard Halverson, a Presbyterian minister who served as the chaplain of the United States Senate from 1981-1995.

“To be sure, men will abuse and misuse the institution of the State just as man because of sin has abused and misused every other institution in history including the Church of Jesus Christ, but this does not mean that the institution is bad or that it should be forsaken. It simply means that men are sinners and rebels in God’s world, and this is the way they behave with good institutions. As a matter of fact, it is because of this very sin that there must be human government to maintain order in history until the ﬁnal and ultimate rule of Jesus Christ is established. Human government is better than anarchy, and the Christian must recognize the “divine right” of the State.”

- Richard Halverson

Despite the fact that every single time we click open our phones we are inundated with how corrupt our government is and is becoming, we must recognize one thing this morning: That government is a divine and moral institution.

The scriptures are saturated with the reality that it is in fact God who set’s up governments-good and bad- and He takes them down!

One familiar example is in the book of Daniel, when Daniel was giving a prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar’s (Babylon empire) fall.

Daniel 2:20–21 (ESV)

Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons;

he removes kings and sets up kings;

After Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling from the Lord, He learned a very important lesson that Daniel recounts for us in Daniel 5:21.

Daniel 5:21b (ESV)

he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.

What must we take away from this?

That God has instituted/Ordained government.

All authority is from God.

This means that government is not autonomous.

This means that all governments is accountable to God.

Government is not sovereign.

Government authorities are “servants” of God.

Servants to their master, God!

God is over all government.

Because this is true, how should we respond as Christians?

Well, I must confess that in years past I participated as little as possible in governmental affairs. I often find myself avoiding it.

But maybe I am doing this, and you are too, because we have the mistaken belief that when we become members of the kingdom of heaven we can throw away our countries citizenship.

But this should not be so.

The logic than should be this:

If God is the originator of Government (which he is), and If he takes active interest in it(which he does), then to ignore Gov. or not participate in gov. Affairs, as a citizen is to dishonor the Lord.

My point is this: The Christian community should be filled with the best and most active citizens!

Most often times we are not.

Most often times Churches are silent.

Someone once told me that the way you know if a Church is really making an impact on the community is to take them out of the community and see if anyone notices.

The Church is to have the most active citizens.

The loudest voices in the communities should come from the pews.

What the pandemic revealed to the Church is that if we do not voice our concerns and engage with the government, it will inevitably impose itself on the Church.

Transition:

I often say there are key words in verses or passages that open up the meaning of a text, and certainly that is the case here in verse 1.

Romans 13:1 (ESV)

Let EVERY PERSON be SUBJECT to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Here Paul is communicating whether you are Jewish or Gentile, every person, every believer, is subject to government authorities.

Paul doesn’t hold back any punches, he strongly informs his readers in verse 2,

Romans 13:2 ESV

Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

So don’t miss the simple truth here:

To resist government authority is to resist God’s authority.

Now, I’m not naive to the fact that I already have many minds pondering this statement and some may be asking the question:

“Does this mean that I blindly obey government regardless of what it commands?”

The answer is an emphatic NO!

As we survey the entirety of scripture (and we will look at some in just a second), we will clearly see that the Christian’s obedience to the state is ALWAYS CONDITIONAL, AND SOMETIMES DISOBEDIENCE IS DUTY.

Why is this the case?

Because all authority is from God, the government authority is accountable to God.

The gov. must govern by the standard by which they will be judged. What is the standard? The word of God!

So the logic is if the gov. goes against God’s Word, then this is when disobedience to gov. becomes the duty of the Church.

Our obedience to God is above all else!

So when are we permitted and exhorted to disobey gov.?

There are three areas in which Christians should not submit to government authority.

Do not submit to government authority:

1. When asked to violate the commands of God.

A great example of this is found in Acts chapters 4 and 5 When the Authorities arrested the disciples for preaching God’s Word.

The authorities consequently summoned Peter and John before the Sanhedrin (The supreme Jewish legislative and judicial court) and commanded them not to teach in the name of Jesus.

After the summons, Peter and John Disobeyed the authorities and continued preaching Christ.

Well, as you would guess, they were brought in again before the High priest, and they were told this:

Acts 5:28–29 (ESV)

“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Lesson here From the text: God’s commands always take precedence over the command of the government. No exceptions.

I will add to this under this heading:

We do not submit to government when the government commands what isn't theirs to command.

For example, the local Church and the terms of worship within the local church.

The government does not have jurisdiction in this juncture. (the local church)

That’s why baptists have always made a distinction bbetween Church and state.

Example:

We cannot comply when the gov. tells us to stop preaching the gospel or stop preaching all together.

We cannot comply when the gov. tells us to worship a golden calf (the golden calf of our days LGBTQ, Social justice etc..)

We cannot comply when the gov. tells us we cannot meet on the Lord’s day to worship. (grace community example)

There are many throughout history, and even now who have followed in the apostles footsteps and have paid the price.

The list is too long for me to go through here during our time.

Transition:

Do not submit to government authority:

1. When asked to violate the commands of God.

2. When asked to do an immoral or unethical act.

This includes both sexual and ethical areas in which we are constantly being asked to comprise.

For example:

Doctrine Compromise: Government mandates for churches to perform same-sex marriages or use preferred pronouns, challenging biblical convictions.

Surveillance: Authorities requiring churches to report members' activities and statements, violating pastoral confidentiality.

Political Endorsement: Pressure to support specific political candidates or policies, risking the church's spiritual focus.

Charitable Restrictions: Limits on faith-based conditions for aid, conflicting with religious teachings.

Censorship: Government attempts to censor sermons on controversial social issues, infringing on religious freedom.

Point: Christians should never think it’s ok to commit immoral or unethical acts because the state has requested it.

Do not submit to government authority:

1. When asked to violate the commands of God.

2. When asked to do an immoral or unethical act.

3. Christians should never go against their christian conscience in order to obey government.

Conscience is the inner sense of right and wrong that guides a person’s actions and judgments.

It is often associated with moral and ethical decision-making.

I think this particular issue is something we deal with most frequently because it really is a part of the decisions we make in our everyday lives.

We encounter conscience issues in deciding which careers to partake in and what entertainment we participate in, among many other decisions.

This one hits close to home for me, because I have wrestled with matters of conscience regarding pacifism.

A pacifist is a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable.

We have had many conversations regarding what we would do if someone came into our home and threatened to harm us and our families.

Would we fight and protect ourselves and our family or would we entrust our fate and the fate of our families to the Lord?

This just one example among many.

I believe the biblical answer is here in these matters is this: that every Christian must abide by their conscience. We should never violate our conscience.

Colonial Al Shine, who served as the professor of military science at Wheaton College wrote this about Romans 13:

“These verses are not in good repute in some circles today, through no fault of their own, but because some have taken them out of the context of the whole of Scripture to argue that disobedience to any government, under any circumstances, is unbiblical. But it is nonetheless clear that these verses, supported and ampliﬁed by other portions of the Word, and contradicted by none, teach the legitimacy of human government.

Bearing the sword, in order to execute justice, is a proper duty of human governments. The soldier does not, of course, have a blanket license to hate or kill. As an individual sinner, prone to avenge and resist personal abuse, he must, like all other believers, restrain himself. He should, I believe, examine himself.

He should, I believe, examine the cause for which his nation ﬁghts, and if he concludes that it is evil and unjust he should refuse to participate. Even when he ﬁnds the cause acceptable, he may at times feel led to disobey certain orders that he feels abuse the proper use of force.”

Point in case here: We must obey our christian conscience.

When I say christian conscience I mean a born again conscience that is informed by scripture and in daily submission to the Spirit of God.

Our mind is either being informed by God’s Word or seared by our sin and the world’s morality.

This is the reason we must daily take up God’s Word, to transform our mind and and inform conscience.

The simple truth to take home from this point is that as Christian’s we must disobey the government when asked to violate God’s commands, when asked to commit an immoral or unethical act, or when asked to go against our Christian conscience.

Verse 1-2 is a call to radical obedience.

It’s a call to submit to authority knowing that the source of this authority is God.

Because God is the source of government authority, we must strive to to be great citizens.

But we also must acknowledge that there will come a time where obeying God might result in disobeying the government authorities.

And when we do so, we will incur judgment.

We must not be surprised when this judgment comes.

And it has already come for true Churches and true Christians. And it will continue to become the norm.

Transition:

So we looked at the source of authority, now we must look at the purpose of authority.

Point Two: The Purpose of Authority

Romans 13:3–4 ESV

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, 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.

What is the purpose of governmental authority?

To which Paul responds twice in verse: THEY ARE GOD SERVANTS in this world! The government is doing God’s bidding!

I bet you didn’t know that the governmental authorities were God’s deacons.

The government is put in place by God in order to serve his purposes in the world.

Some government official do this consciously and some unconsciously, but either way, there are both serving God and His purposes.

I find it very interesting that in verse 6, that instead of using the word “Servant” Paul uses the word “minister” to describe the role of government authority.

The word minister was used for the high priests who served in the temple.

God’s word is describing here that the role of the government is serving God’s Sovereign purposes and administering God’s moral law in this world, therefore what the government actually does in some sense is spiritual, dignified, and solemn.

And we actually see Paul flesh that out in these verses, in verses 4 he says,

Romans 13:4 (ESV)

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.

Believe it or not, Whether it’s a good government or bad government, whether republican or democrat, the Government is God’s servant for our good.

The point here is that even the worst of government is better than anarchy.

If you take a moment to read about Israels history of anarchy in the book of judges, you will quickly understand that doing what is right in our own eyes as a society results in utter chaos and destruction for everyone.

So whether it’s a dictatorship or a democracy, government authorities are God’s servants and ministries administering God’s blessing and judgment upon nations.

At the end of verse 4 is where we begin to see more clearly this truth fleshed out.

Romans 13:4 (ESV)

…For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

This is where Romans 12 and Romans 13 come together.

Romans 12:17–19 ESV

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

The explicit command of Romans 12 to Christian’s is that we must never retaliate! We must never repay evil for evil. We must never avenge ourselves but leave it to the wrath of God!

How does God’s wrath get dispensed on evil doers?

In the end times with final judgment.

Now, through government.

The reason we can take comfort in Romans 12:14-21 is because God has put government in place to carry out His vengeance and justice in the world.

God’s dealing with evil is NOT through our personal vengeance, but through the justice dispensed by the state.

God pours out His wrath on evil and sin through divine appointed governments.

There should be a great confidence in the fact that…

Romans 13:4 (ESV)

[God] does not bear the sword in vain.

Of course in a world marred with sin, justice is not always carried out perfectly.

In cases where injustice is carried out through government, we can know that God will not sweep a wrong or injustice under the on Final judgment. He will judge every deed.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 ESV

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

This means that we must also keep our government accountable.

We must speak up and as Paul instructs Timothy, pray for our leaders.

We must call gov. out when there is an ordnance/law that is not in step with God’s moral law.

Not all laws are in step with God’s word.

Examples of laws that are not in step with scripture that we should be resisting and speaking up against:

Abortion Laws:

Biblical Context: Life is sacred from conception

(Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5).

Marriage Redefinition:

Government Laws: Same-sex marriage legalized.

Biblical Context: Marriage is between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6).

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide:

Biblical Context: Life is God's gift; only He can end it

(Job 1:21; Exodus 20:13).

Religious Freedom Restrictions:

Government Laws: Limits on public religious expression.

Biblical Context: Christians are called to proclaim their faith (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 4:18-20).

Sexual Ethics and Education:

Biblical Context: Sexual purity and traditional marriage

(1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Hebrews 13:4).

The Church, and NOT the GOv. is to be the pillar and buttress of the truth!

When the gov. is out of step with God’s law, we must step in and keep them accountable to it.

So this means that there comes a time for christians to resist gov. authority in order to submit to our ultimate authority, God.

We must resist and know that this will cost us something:

Romans 13:2 “… those who resist will incur judgment.”

BUT on the flip side or the bright side of this, Paul tells us that if we conduct ourselves with “good conduct” we have nothing to fear.

We don’t have to look over our shoulders.

Example:

If you are driving 45 in a 40 there is nothing to worry about, but if you are driving 80 in a 40 mph zone, than you will have to constantly be looking into your rear view mirror to make sure no one is coming after you.

As a matter of fact, Paul goes on to say that if you do what is good you will not only be approved by society but commended often times for your good citizenship.

But the big Questions is: who determines what is good and bad?

God does, not government.

God has give us his moral law, the second half of the ten commandments.

Thou shall not murder -Sanctity of life.

Thou shall not commit adultery- The right family.

Thou shall not bear false witness-Liability and even some cases death.

Thou shall not steal-Protection of a persons property and possession.

But God’s set the moral law, not Gov.

Paul clearly has this in mind that why He says in verse 8,

Romans 13:8 ESV

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

I take that to mean, that our most fundamental evangelistic tool is to love God and love our neighbor, this is good conduct!

God determines good conduct.

This means doing good not only to those who who do good to us, but also to our enemies. (bad government, Romans 12)

Peter says this about our submission:

1 Peter 2:18–25 ESV

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Does your submission to government look like Christ’s or the world?

We have been called, Beloved, to suffer, following in Christ’s footsteps.

It a call to entrust ourselves to God whom judges justly.

Over the span of the last couple of years we have seen such a debacle In this.

The Church has not been very good citizens or a very good witness.

Instead of submission we look for every way to rebel and overthrow government.

Instead of doing good we look for every way to do what is evil towards government.

This might be the way of the world, but this is not, beloved, the way of Kingdom citizens in this foreign land.

In Jeremiah 29:7

Jeremiah 29:7 ESV

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Simple truth of verses 3-4 is this: The purpose of government is to punish evil and to praise those who do good. (1 Peter 2:14)

Transition:

So we have seen the source of government authority, the purpose of Government authority and now we focus the rest of our time on responsibility of Christians.

Point Three: Responsibility of Christians

Romans 13:5–7 ESV

Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Verse 5 is simply a recap of verses 1-4.

Therefore or Because as Christian’s we can see the big picture: The Source of Gov. Authority (God) and the Purpose of Gov. Authority (God servant to punish evil and to praise those who do good) we can have radical obedience through biblical informed consciences to live in submission to Gov.

It is so helpful that the Spirit do not leave us with just the big picture here.

But in verses 6-7 he fleshes out what this looks like for a christian in a secular society.

He says here what it practically looks like:

Romans 13:6 (ESV)

For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.

In Pauls time (just as it is in our time) taxes were excessively high and frequently miss spent.

As a matter of fact, history tells us there was a tax revolt in A.D. 58 with the Jewish zealots!

Some Christian’s were even getting on board with the zealots on this.

But Paul here commands the Church to pay their taxes.

But the only way we will do this with integrity is knowing and believing and trusting the government authorities are God’s ministers. That They are working for him!

The word “attending” literally means that government officials our busily arranged doing God’s work.

Contrary to what society believes about government-that they’re lazy sitting around doing nothing-God’s word says they are busy at work protecting us, creating environments for societal flourishing, all under God.

Only if we grasp this, can we stop looking for ways to cut corners, and start paying our taxes and government fees with dignity and honor and quite frankly with a good attitude!

Ray Stedman, pastor and author said this about these verses:

“You have a right, of course, as does everyone, to protest injustice and to correct abuse, but don’t forever be grumbling about the taxes that you have to pay. I have had to learn some lessons on this myself. The ﬁrst time I had to pay an income tax was a few years ago. My income had been so low for a long time that I didn’t have to pay any taxes. But gradually it caught up and I ﬁnally had to pay. I remember how I resented it. In fact, when I sent my tax form in I addressed it to “The Infernal Revenue Service.” They never answered, although they did accept the money. The next year I had improved my attitude a bit. I addressed it to “The Eternal Revenue Service.” But I have repented from all those sins, and I now hope to pay my taxes cheerfully.

What’s the point of me sharing this quote: As Christians, let’s honor the Lord by paying taxes with a joyful and God-glorifying attitude.”

Why?

Because these are God’s ordained ministers. They are working for him.

Transition:

Now, I love how verse 7 really brings this passage together and gets to the heart of what the apostle Paul has been saying by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

Romans 13:7 (ESV)

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Look how many times the word “owe” is presented here: 5 times in one verse!

Paul is going out of the way to make his point here: because the government and it’s authorities are instituted and ordained by God-because they are working for him-christians are to respect and honor and give them their wages (taxes and revenue).

(Revenue: tarrif or tax imposed on goods when transported across international borders.)

And in light of our election season, here is what This verse means most importantly:

Listen up,

This means that wee may not like a certain person in office.

We may even be disgusted with them because of their personality or scandalous conduct.

But Romans 13:7 is commanding us that we must respect those in office.

Yes, the person is human, but the office exists because God has, in His sovereignty, put it in place for our good.

The reason we as Christian’s respect and honor those in office comes from a biblical understanding that it is ultimately God who not only instituted the office, but sovereignly set the particular person into that office to carry out his divine purposes.

To show a person in office disrespect is to show God disrespect .

Respect means to fear.

To not fear a person in office is to not fear the Lord.

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

It’s wise to show respect.

To not show honor to a person in office is to not show the Lord honor.

Transition

The Apostle Peter really sums up well what we learned today in 1 Peter 2:13-17 on the ever of Nero’s fiery persecution:

1 Peter 2:13–17 ESV

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Honor everyone.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honor the emperor.

That is Romans 13:1-7 in nutshell!

But friends we cannot carry out this 4 commands without first repenting of our sins and submitting to Christ as Lord.

We must humble ourselves and submit to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords if we are to submit to His Word in this.

Many of us Christians have not yet submitted to God in this area.

Submit my unbelieving friend.

Submit my brother and sister in Christ.

Submit to Christ the Lord.

Trust His Sovereign wisdom.

Exhortation:

As you look to your own life, are you a good citizen in this foreign land?

Are you always looking to rebel again’t gov. authorities and cut corners, or are you living in accordance with scripture, with integrity, doing good?

Are you a good witness of Christ or bringing reproach upon Christ?

How are you making your community and city better?

Are you seeking the welfare of the city and praying on It’s behalf like God’s commands the Israelites in Jeremiah?

How are you helping your neighbors flourish in the Lord?

How does your life reflect that God has ordained government authority?

Are you worried about what government might do if they find out your lifestyle?

Closing:

The pharisees in attempts to corner Jesus and find him guilty of treason against Cesar ask him ...

Matthew 22:17 ESV

Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

If Jesus answered no he would be branded a traitor to Caesar.

If Jesus answered yes he would be called ani-patriotic, and his ministry would be discredited.

So Jesus says too them..

“Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax” (Matthew 22:18–19).

A hush came over the crowd as Jesus held the coin for all to see.

Then he asked them, “‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’

Matthew 22:21 (ESV)

Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

It was a brilliant answer, and all his critics could do was walk away shaking their heads in wonder.

With this single sentence our Lord established the validity of human government, while at the same time setting its limits.

Caesar had his image on certain things, and they rightly belonged to him.

There is a proper domain and function for human government.

However, God has stamped his own image on man (the intellect, the will, and the soul bear the divine stamp).

Thus, man may give outward things to Caesar, but the inner man belongs to God.

Jesus was saying, “The coin is from the mint of the Roman Empire, but you are from God’s mint. The coin’s use is determined by its likeness, and your use is determined by the likeness you bear.”

Jesus’ single sentence is certainly the most important political statement ever made!

This is what Romans 13:1-7 is all about.

Those who have ears let them Hear what the Spirit is saying to His Church.

PRAY

I’m going to pray a prayer from an early Church father named Fathers, Clement of Alexandria who prays Romans so faithfully and beautifully:

Thou, Master, hast given the power of sovereignty to them through thy excellent and inexpressible might, that we may know the glory and honour given to them by thee, and be sub- ject to them, in nothing resisting thy will. And to them, Lord, grant health, peace, concord, ﬁrmness that they may administer the government which thou hast given them without offence.

For thou, heavenly Master, king of eternity, hast given to the sons of men glory and honour and power over the things which are on the earth; do thou, O Lord, direct their counsels according to that which is “good and pleasing” before thee, that they may administer with piety in peace and gentleness the power given to them by thee, and may ﬁnd mercy in thine eyes.

Kirsopp Lake, trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1 in the Loeb Classical Library, I Clement, LXI:1, 2 (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1970), pp. 114–117.

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