Romans 13

Submission To Civil Authority & Loving Your Neighbor

Text: Romans 13

Introduction

After decades of service to his country in both war and peace, George Washington completed his second term as president. In his Farewell Address to the nation he wrote: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labour to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.”

America was never a Christian nation in the sense that everyone was a believer, but there is no question that strong Christian principles guided the foundations of our government. As we see that changing before our eyes—as the government begins to punish good and promote evil—it is more important than ever that we do what we can to influence the shape of our society. While we have the right and the duty to be involved in the government as citizens, the ultimate solution to these problems can only be found in the spiritual arena.

All 50 states honor God in their constitution!

Authority in the time of Jesus and His followers: For Jesus and his followers in Palestine, however, the local Roman rulers had more immediate relevance than the emperors in faraway Rome. When the Romans conquered a country, they typically set up a king, governor, or some other ruler in the land, but they also tried to preserve some institutions of native rule. Thus, according to the New Testament, a council of Jewish leaders, the Sanhedrin, had authority in Jerusalem in some matters (Mark 14:55–64; Acts 5:21–40), but the Roman authorities always had the final say (cf. John 18:31). Powell, Mark Allan. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey (p. 20). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

The Pax Romana, spanning from 27 BC to 180 AD, stands as one of the most enduring periods of peace in the annals of civilization.

Verses 1-7 “Submission To Civil Government”

Verse 1

The instruction Paul is getting ready to give is to be applied to everyone, especially every believer.

Paul’s instruction is this: Every person must live their daily life under the authority of governmental powers.

Human nature does not accept this very well.

Think back to the garden of eden.

Paul anticipates the question “why should I?”

There is no greater motivation than what Paul presents:

The only reason there are positions of power on earth is due to all power coming from God.

Power has eternally existed with Him.

The powers of that day and even our day today are appointed by God.

Illustration: Jesus reminded Pilate of this very truth — John 19:10–11 “10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

For some, this might cause them to doubt God or question His nature.

However, this is very comforting and reassuring that all powers must answer to God.

God will always have the final say!

This also means that everything could be far far worse than they have been or are today if it were not for God being sovereign over all powers.

Verse 2

What does Paul mean when he says “to resist earthly authority is to resist the very One who enacted earthly authority.

“damnation” = A legal sentencing of guilt in a criminal case.

To resist is to bring judgement on yourself.

Paul is not talking about a particular law that goes against their faith or truth, but rather someone in opposition to God’s divinely ordered process.

Verse 3

If you want to live without fear of civil authority, then do what is right.

What if government oversteps it’s boundaries?

Acts 4:19 “19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”

Acts 5:29 “29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Neither Peter or John did this in a cavalier fashion.

Verses 4-5

One Old Testament example would be the Persian emperor Cyrus — Isaiah 44:28 “28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, And shall perform all my pleasure: Even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; And to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.”

The ruler is God’s servant to punish those who do wrong.

A person violates the purpose of God when they disobey the law of the land, except when it goes against the expressed will of God.

Quote: “Obedience to civil law is necessary not only for fear of punishment but also for the sake of conscience. As Phillips puts it, one should obey “not simply because it is the safest, but because it is the right thing to do.” (Robert H. Mounce)

Verses 6-7

This partially means to pay your taxes.

Luke 20:22–25 “22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.”

They were to carry out this civil obligation due to those levying taxes are God’s servants (i.e. God has granted them the authority they currently secure in order to maintain civil order).

The tax payment was simply to secure future order and peace.

Verses 8-10 “Loving Your Neighbor”

Verse 8

This is a debt that can never be paid off.

There is no limit to love.

It is not just about loving your fellow believer, but loving your fellowman.

If God’s love extends to all, then we are right to conclude our love should extend to all.

Matthew 5:44–45 “44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

When we love this way, we are fulfilling God’s law in our life.

When this kind of love is in action, no form of disobedience will be.

Matthew 22:37–39 “37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Galatians 5:14 “14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Leviticus 19:18 “18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.”

1 Timothy 1:5 “5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”

John 13:34 “34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

Who is our neighbor???

The believer should always be asking themselves, “How does God expect me to manifest His love?”

Through loving acts of His children.

Quote: “In our present culture, enamored as it is with the cult of self-esteem, it is necessary to point out that Jesus’ words are “not a command to love oneself but a recognition of the fact that we naturally do so.” (Robert H. Mounce)

Verses 11-14 “Live Morally Pure In View Of Completion Of Your Salvation”

There are three types of salvation…

Paul was writing with the perspective of the present age coming to a soon close.

James 5:8–9 “8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”

2 Peter 3:11–14 “11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

Paul knew that God was in control and He would bring history to a predetermined end.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 “6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

Rid your life from and resemblance of spiritual darkness.