Romans 13:1-7 "The Christian and Government"

Let’s Pray!

Good morning, Calvary Chapel Lake City!

It’s so good to be with you today! I’m glad you’re here.

We have so many families out on final summer vacas today.

“Hi families!”… if your catching us on our livestream.

My wife and eldest daughter are amongst those travelling…

Please pray for them and me… the next nine days as they are visiting numerous national parks out west with friends… who retired and got into off grid camping.

For me… as I have to fend for myself. Praise God for Kyla who can care for her old man.

Well enough on that… Please turn in your Bibles to Romans. Today we are looking at Romans 13:1-7.

A cheery seven verses addressing the Christian’s relationship and boundaries with civil government.

Which makes sense in the flow of Paul’s thoughts… because as we turned to Romans 12, we entered the application section of Paul’s epistle.

And, in Romans 12, Paul focused on Christian Conduct.

If you had to summarize the first 11 chapters of Romans… the doctrinal portion… in just a few words, it could be “The Righteousness of God.”

Now beginning in Romans 12, we are looking at “The Practice of God’s Righteousness”… or “Living the Christian Life”… or “God’s Righteousness Reveled in Transformed Living.”

… as some scholars see our final chapters.

Romans 12:1-2 began the conversation of Christian conduct… focusing on our dedication to God.

Romans 12:3-8 addressed Christian conduct in humbly using our spiritual gifts to edify the body of Christ.

Romans 12:9-13 focused on our loving conduct with other Christians.

And last time we closed Romans 12… looking at vv 14-21 which broaden the scope of Christian conduct and addressed how we are to love in supernatural ways… even for our enemies.

Which is no small task.

So, as we transition to Chapter 13… this focus on Christian Conduct is relevant…

Just as we are to “be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love”… so too are we to love the government… especially when paying taxes.

That’s not what the text says… I just made that up.

In truth… we won’t read the word “love” at all in these 7 verses today.

But, there is a connection between chapters 12 and 13…

Paul closed chapter 12 stating “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath.”

And, today… Paul will discuss how Government is “an avenger to execute wrath”… and how Government is “appointed by God.”

In the previous chapter… Paul fired off a series of exhortations covering a number of topics, but here in Romans 13… Paul zooms in on the single subject of Christian conduct towards the civil government.

Romans 13 is the key passage in the NT that explains our responsibilities as Christians in the civil realm.

And for the most part, we are to submit to the authority of the government.

Now… there are some exceptions as we’ll see ahead.

I had to say that quickly so no one walked out.

You rebellious sorts out there just perked up when I said “some exceptions”…

“Tell us the exceptions now!”

Fear not… we’ll get there as we look at “The Christian and Government”… which is our message title today.

In reverence for God’s word, if you are able, please stand as I read our passage.

Romans 13:1–7 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

Praise God for His word. Please be seated.

So… Paul begins Chapter 13 V1 straight out the gates… with the positive and encouraging message, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities...”

Before we get too far in our discussion… I want to address that word we all love… which is “submission.”

There’s something about this word that causes us to internally recoil a bit.

In humankind there’s something inherently rebellious towards authority… and rules… and restrictions.

We tend to fight against authority… even passively… and often justify our behavior.

We see a “Keep off the grass!” sign that would prevent a shortcut … and think “That’s ridiculous.” And walk through regardless.

Adam and Eve were given one command… of all the trees that bore fruit… don’t eat from just one… and they rebelled.

Romans 5:12 spoke of Adam and through him… “… sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—”

And you know you’re related to Adam if you die. And since you’re related to Adam… you’ve inherited a sinful nature… and thus rebellion to authority is part of your nature.

If it wasn’t Paul wouldn’t even need to pen the words “be subject to governing authorities.”

If our nature was submission… the idea to NOT submit would be so foreign and offensive to us… but that’s not reality is it?

Many times in scripture we are reminded that we ALL are under submission… and we are to submit to various authorities…

Within the church…

Younger people, submit to your elders (1 Pet 5:5).

Christians are to submit to one another (Eph 5:21).

Regarding church elders or spiritual leaders… Hebrews 13:17 states, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account [to God]. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

That’s a great memory verse. Maybe post it on your bathroom mirror. Church leaders watch out for you souls, so help us to do so with joy and not with grief.

And, over all… the church is subject to Christ (Eph 5:24).

Within the home…

The head of every man is Christ (1 Cor 11:3).

Wives are told… submit to your own husbands… at least three times… Eph 5:22, Col 3:18, 1 Pet 3:1.

I think that one is repeated because in the fall, as part of the curse… God said to Eve, “Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” (Gen 3:16)

And… the struggle is real for many wives. Thus repetition.

My wife though… she perfectly submits to me… and that’s because I perfectly love her.

Not really! Reality is we sometimes botch that up… because… we both have a rebellious nature.

Notice I preached that on a Sunday she is out-of-town…

Children… you’re not off the hook… you are to obey parents (Col 3:20).

And, submission is simple… right? NO.

Submission is not easy at all… but in doing so… you align yourself with God’s design.

The Gk word submit… hupotassō… means “to place or rank under”… “to render obedience”… “to submit one’s self.”

It’s an action you must yield to… and it’s no easy task… because of original sin… because of our rebellious and sinful nature…

And, pride is the key barrier. Our flesh desires independence… control… self-exaltation…

The pride of our flesh resists surrendering control and humbling itself before authority.

And it’s not just rebellion in the home… or the workplace… or the church… or to government…

God is over all institutions… therefore failure to submit is rebellion against God… and His design for order.

James… in a conversation about our wicked old nature stated, “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God.” (James 4:6-7)

And since the beginning… since Adam and Eve… this has been a difficult act.

Frankly an impossible act. No one perfectly submits.

And so, when we read “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities...”

You may feel a tendency of resistance… and hopefully this passage will help ease that tension and align you with God’s will.

When Paul write… “Let every soul...”

This means every person… but specifically the Christians to whom Paul wrote… and Christians today.

Unbelievers would do well to also heed this counsel, but Paul here is addressing believers.

And this is not just Paul writing… Romans… like the entirety of Scripture is God-breathed… or inspired by God (according to 2 Tim 3:16)…

And, the inspired word tells us we are to “be subject” or “be in subjection” or “submit” to the governing authorities.

So… who’s that? Who are the “governing authorities”?

Contextually… Paul is speaking about the Civil Government.

Those who maintain order… enforcing laws and justice… and the welfare of society.

This may look different from country to country based on the form of government… Republic, Monarch, Dictatorship, One-Party State, or a Theocracy…

But, generally speaking in any form of government there are national leaders, local officials, judicial systems, and administrative bodies.

Bureaucratic leaders are appointed within government agencies.

And, the Christian responsibility is general submission to the laws of the land.

And, the reason why is found in the second part of V1 “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

Jesus Himself spoke this to Pontius Pilate in John 19:11 “Jesus said to him, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.”

NOT from above as in Caesar, but much higher above… from God Almighty.

If we believe Jesus and we believe scripture, then we must trust that governing authorities have been placed there by God…

… thus unless we want to resist God… we are to submit to government.

We don’t have to like who is in office… we don’t have to agree with the political party…

In Paul’s day… Nero was Caesar and was becoming increasingly crazed…

Do you think Paul and Christians were thrilled to submit to Rome’s autocratic principate? … where the emperor held supreme power?

We get flustered when a President is in office that we don’t like… but they have far less power then Rome.

And sometimes God raises up foolish… even wicked leaders as a form of judgment against a nation that has been unfaithful to Him…

The Southern kingdom of Judah reached a level of depravity where in Isa 3… God removed wise leaders… the judge and the prophet… the diviner and the elder… captains and honorable men… counselors and artisans…

God removed responsible leadership… and Isaiah 3:4 reads, “I will give children to be their princes, And babes shall rule over them.”

God allowed for immature and ineffective leaders to rule and this would lead to chaos.

Several states in our country are in chaos. Often from heads who have no regard for God… and do not submit to Federal leadership.

We read about lawsuits back and forth… states suing federal government and federal government suing states. This is not God’s design.

There have been times where God has raised up pagan leaders… unbelievers… to execute judgment on His people when they fell into wicked ways… especially idolatry.

God raised up the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar… whom God called “My servant” (Jer 25:9) to humble Judah… taking them into captivity for seventy years…

Which was their just due for neglecting God’s Sabbath law (Lev 25-26). They were commanded to let the land rest every seven years…

And since they didn’t God removed them from the land as confirmed in 2 Chr 36:21 “As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.”

God would not be mocked… Judah could not simply ignore the commands of scripture.

And, so God supernaturally intervened… and raised up Nebuchadnezzar to judge.

And, the point is… God is sovereign over all rulers…

Historically… including today… God is on the throne.

Can we say Amen to that?

God is on the throne. He is the KING of kings and the LORD of lords.

He is eternal… and the earth is His footstool.

All lesser rulers… who rule for a vapor of time… they accomplish His purposes…

Be it to judge nations… to prune and polish His people… to advance His redemptive plan… whatever He decides.

Proverbs 21:1 declares, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Daniel 2:21 states, “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings...”

And we just read in Rom 13:1 “… there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

Thus our submission reflects our trust in God’s sovereignty… for He establishes leaders and governments… He even permits flawed systems and people to rule.

So we are called to be responsible citizens who pay our taxes (Matt 22:21)… to pray for our leaders (1 Tim 2)… and obey laws unless they directly obey the commands of God (which we will circle back to).

But first… I want to touch on God’s three institutions… or the three spheres of government He has established and granted authority to… in our present dispensation of time.

God has established the family, the church, and civil government.

Each has it’s own authority… and God is over all.

The family has actually been established since the beginning… even before the fall… in Gen 2.

Civil Governments were emerging early as well… some in harmony with God… and some that tried to exclude God… like the Way of Cain.

And then post flood… in Gen 9… God again establishes with Noah responsibility to govern creation and He introduced principles of justice.

There would be retribution for murder, which implied they had authority to enforce consequences for civil disobedience.

And, from there many forms of Government have been established.

We look forward to the day when a perfect government system is established… once again a Theocracy with Jesus as the visible Head upon His Second Coming.

Church Government in the New Testament era was first introduced by Jesus who commissioned Apostles… and gave the great commission for them to make disciples by going to the world, preaching the gospel, baptizing new believers, and teaching the word (Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15) .

In Acts 2 and beyond… formal church government begins to be established with apostles, elders, deacons, and overseers, and the Jerusalem council is established in Acts 15.

When these three spheres of government fail to submit to God… there are problems… namely sinful decline which leads to collapse.

When you remove God from civil government, from the family… and from the church.

And you might ask… how can you remove God from the church?

And, I would be tempted to answer by naming several denominations… which I’ll refrain from.

But, when God is removed… mankind can elevate their thoughts and ways… and we would then quickly digress to the Way of Cain… rebellion of God… removal of God… establishment of society apart from God.

And, the moral state of the earth was horrible when Cain’s family thrived on earth. And they are also extinct, but God’s judgment through the flood.

And, you can find numerous other biblical and historical examples of decline when God is removed from home, church or civil government.

Last point on spheres of government… there is not only danger when they fail to submit to God, but there is also danger when they don’t stay in their own lane.

If church oversteps and attempts to control home life… or act like Pastor Policeman…

That’s what is often called ‘church abuse.’ It’s exceeding jurisdiction.

If a family tries to exert control over civil affairs… like handing out speeding tickets when someone drives fast in your neighborhood… or runs a stop sign in your neighborhood…

I get it… it’s frustrating when people break the law… but the family has no jurisdiction in that realm… they’ve overstepped their authority.

Start handing out tickets to people and see how that goes. At best you’ll get laughed at… and worst you may find yourself in a fight or even getting charged for something like harassment or disorderly conduct.

Or if you try to manage someone else’s family… especially unsolicited… you’ve exceeded your jurisdiction.

If a Christian exceeds their jurisdiction in the church sphere… or is in sin… or if a leader is found to be sinning… gently… lovingly… and firmly… the Bible grants authority to church leadership for discipline.

There are many examples in scripture to guide church government.

In Matt 18:15-17 Jesus gave guidelines to all Christians on confronting a brother who sins against you.

Guidelines are provided for handling divisive people… avoid them. Rom 16:17-18; Tit 3:10-11

Paul addresses what to do in cases of unrepentant sexual immorality… cast them to Satan for the destruction of their flesh for a season… for their restoration and to avoid immorality defiling the church. 1 Cor 5:1-13

If a false teacher is identified… they are to be rebuked and avoided… 1 Tim 6:3-5; Tit 1:10-16; 2 Pet 2

If one is disorderly.… or idle… or a gossip… Paul commands to keep away from them… and to warn them as a fellow believer. (2 Thes 3:6-15)

Guidelines are given about restoration. Restoration is the goal for sinning Christians… and doing so should be done gently. Gal 6:1, 2 Cor 2:5-11, Matt 18:17

There are guidelines for how to make an accusation… a complaint… against church leaders 1 Tim 5:19-20… you are to take two or three witnesses.

There is accountability for leaders… and, there are guidelines for qualities of Church leaders 1 Tim 3; Tit 1:7-8

And if one is tired of being in fellowship with other believers… Heb 10:24-25 says we have a responsibility to each other to “… stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some.”

This is not even an exhaustive list… there are several other scenarios addressed in scripture… dealing with pride, arguing, …

And, these NT guidelines… they are not there for anything but good and Godly guidance… when missteps or malicious intents occur.

And I praise God for His guidance through His word. Can you imagine how far off church could get if we didn’t have a framework in Scripture?

How kind is it of God to look down through the centuries and to provide us this framework to help us.

We live in the Church Age… and “Church” is a God ordained institution… it’s leaders are accountable to God… and all Christians are accountable to one another… to church leadership… and ultimately to God.

And, when we overstep or disregard God’s design… ultimately… we fail into the error of not submitting to God.

Shifting to government outside of Church… and back to our Romans 13 context… Civil Government…

A major and valid concern we feel and observe… is when civil government interferes with church life or home affairs…

Civil Government has authority as given by God, but when they get out of their lane… there is an abuse of power.

And, I’m not talking about authorities stepping in when they should… like child abuse in the home… or cult churches that cause harm to people…

Those are reasonable areas for government to have welfare checks… or file legal charges.

But, times when government overstep their authority… this is not ok.

Times when government institutions, like schools, influence a child’s understanding of gender. And that is happening.

In fact, there have been at least 10-15 lawsuits since 2020 for U.S. Schools influencing or supporting children’s gender transitions without parental consent.

Not ok.

It’s overstepping for civil government to interfere with churches like we saw during Covid.

Exerting control over gatherings, mask mandates, social distancing rules…

There were lawsuits over these issues and even suites filed regarding outdoor gatherings and drive-in gatherings being restricted.

There was government overreach at that time.

And when civil government begins to interfere with us being able to worship and obey God… that’s when Christians are permitted to take a stand against civil government… and we’ll look at some biblical examples of that today.

But, outside of those extreme examples… the institution of Civil Government is ordained by God… and Christians are to submit to government… otherwise we refuse to submit to God.

As we read in V2 “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

Ordinance means “institution.” God instituted civil government… and resisting authority brings judgment.

Jesus told Peter in Matthew 26:52 “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

In the context of the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus forbade His disciples from fighting against the Jewish temple guard… and Roman soldiers.

They would perish by the sword of the soldiers.

There would be justified times to take up a sword, like in the case of self defense against criminals.

But, not against the civil government in this scenario.

Besides… Jesus didn’t need their defense… He could call down legions of angels, but then He would have been outside God’s will.

Today, if you get pulled over by a police officer… and they have probable cause to tell you to get out of your vehicle… and you don’t.

You would be guilty of ‘resisting arrest’… you would bring judgment on yourself.

Interesting… the word “resist” in V2 is mentioned 3x, but with two different Gk words.

The first “antitassō” means “to range in battle against.”

The second “anthistēmi” means “to stand out against” or “oppose.”

One who battles against authority, stands against the institution of God.

And in rebelling against God… one invites judgment… either civil or divine.

But, those who do what is right… they have no need to fear authorities… civil leaders commend those who do good.

As we see in V3 “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.”

Paul would also counsel Titus to teach Christians submission, obedience, and doing good work…

Titus 3:1 “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work… ”

As a general rule… if you do what is right, and do not break the law… you have nothing to fear with government.

Law abiding citizens need not fear the authorities, because they have submitted to the law of the land.

Even if the ruler is not a believer, they stand as God’s leader in an official capacity over the land.

Like Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus… both unbelievers… and both whom God called, “My Servant.”

Even leaders who are dictators or tyrants bring order… and order is better than chaos and anarchy.

Any government is better than no government at all.

It is God’s will that we obey laws and authority… and doing so demonstrates reverence towards God… and God will use your submission as a witness.

We see this in 1 Peter 2:13–17 “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, [we obey, not because rulers are personally worthy, but for the Lord’s sake… because in doing so we honor God] whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— [Jesus masterfully did this in His handling of the question, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”] 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

Paul continues in V4 “For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”

Interesting… Government authorities are called “God’s minister” in this verse.

Minister means “servant”… and they serve law, order and justice.

And as a reminder… in the previous verses that we looked at last week.

Rom 12:19 read, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

God has people in place for justice and to serve as an avenger… meaning “one that carries out justice… a punisher.”

The legal and justice systems are in place within government. We are not to be vigilantes and seek revenge.

That’s against God’s order and design.

If you do evil… the legal authorities have the sword… which means they have power to execute judgment.

So… beyond the exceptions for Government overreach… don’t fight against the powers that be.

Be respectful of our law enforcement and government officials.

I’m really thankful they are there. I’m not rebellious towards police.

A few years ago… I pulled out in front of Warsaw High School from a side street and didn’t realize I was in a school zone… and got pulled over.

I was respectful and told her I didn’t have a great excuse.

My wife was working at Warsaw at the time and truly I was driving by the school thinking about her.

And, I told the officer that. Which was honest.

She ran my plates… came back and said, “Any guy who’s thinking his wife deserves a warning.”

That was pretty cool.

If you try that and it doesn’t work for you… don’t come back and complain to me.

That was just my story on that day… and I was blessed.

What I would tell you is what we just read… ‘don’t do evil and you don’t have to be afraid.’

Moving on… V5 “Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.”

There’s that fun word again… submission… “be subject.”

One reason to submit is because of wrath…

Either from the civil government since they have authority to enact punishment.

Or from God… who could correct either in this lifetime or at the Bema Seat judgment… where a believer could suffer a loss of reward.

So, we have a double duty… For God and Country.

And, believers are to be submissive “for conscience sake”… for a clear conscience.

Conscience is a word that appears 30x in the NT… and would be a good side study. Look up those 30 verses and see how they speak to you… and what scripture says about conscience.

Mounce defines ‘conscience’ as “an inward moral impression of one’s actions and principles.”

And if we rebel against Government for the wrong reasons… our passage today declares we are rebelling against God… and therefore our conscience will be pricked.

It’s better to obey God’s ordinances.

But, when is it ok to disobey? Here’s that BIG Moment you’ve been waiting for!

We are to submit to government, but not with blind submission.

Paul and Peter demonstrated through action or writing that there was a time and place for civil disobedience.

Constable wrote, “It is any occasion when the laws of human government make it illegal to obey God. In such a case we should obey God rather than man. However we should also realize that in disobeying the law we will probably have to bear the consequences of disobeying. The consequences may involve a fine, imprisonment, or even death.”

Ryrie wrote, “When civil law and God’s law are in opposition, the illustrations in the Bible [Dan. 3:18; 6:10; Acts 5:29] sanction, if not obligate, the believer to protest or disobey. But when a believer feels he should disobey his government, he must be sure it is not because the government has denied him his rights but because it has denied him God’s rights.”

So, let’s take a look at some of these examples… Old and New Testament… of times when believers disobeyed government… even at risk of peril.

In Exodus 1… The Hebrew Midwives were ordered by Pharaoh to kill all Hebrew newborn boys to control the Israelite population.

Exodus 1:17 records “But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.”

It’s recorded “God dealt well with the midwives.” He blessed them.

In Exodus 2… Moses’ Parents defied the decree from Pharoah to throw their newborn boys into the Nile river.

Moses’ parents, hid their son for three months… and then put him in an ark of bulrushes on the river.

Hebrews 11:23 declares, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.”

And, we know the amazing man of God Moses grew up to be.

In Daniel 1… there is the account of Daniel and the King’s Food.

King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Daniel and other young Israelites to eat the king’s food, which violated Jewish dietary laws.

Daniel 1:8 reads, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank...”

Thus the ‘Daniel Fast’ was born.

They receive favor from their overseer… and Daniel 1:15 records, “And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.”

God also blessed them with “knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in wisdom and dreams.”

There kind of a pattern forming… a government decree goes against the commands of God… the believer rebels… God protects and blesses the believer.

Daniel 3… Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

King Nebuchadnezzar commands everyone worship his golden statue… or get cast into the fiery furnace.

Daniel’s friends refuse and say to the king…

Daniel 3:17–18 “… our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

They were indeed thrown into the fiery furnace but were miraculously preserved… and a fourth man was seen with them (I wonder who that was)… leading Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge God’s power.

In Daniel 6… Daniel’s Prayer…

The new king in town… king Darius agreed to issue a decree forbidding prayer to anyone except him for 30 days.

But, Daniel continued to pray to God three times a day… and defied the decree.

So, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den…

And the following day… it’s recorded in Daniel 6:21–22 “Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

This resulted in Darius honoring God.… and throwing the men who accused Daniel into the lions den.

They were not preserved like Daniel was.

In the New Testament… In Matthew 2… The Magi and Herod.

King Herod instructed the Magi to report the location of the Young Child Jesus… and Herod lied saying he wanted to worship Him, but intending to kill Him.

After the Magi found Jesus… worshipped Him… and presented gifts… we read in… Matthew 2:12 “Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.”

Their actions protected Jesus from Herod’s plot.

In Acts 4 & 5… several times Peter and John Stood Before the Sanhedrin.

The Jewish high counsel ordered the apostles to stop preaching in Jesus’ name.

And, we read that famous verse… Acts 5:29 “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

They continued preaching, and God’s message spread despite persecution.

And, in each case… the believers prioritized obedience to God over government authority… because in these examples the government overstepped their authority demanding the believer violate what God’s word and commands.

Had they not rebelled they would have been guilty of murder, violation of God’s law, idolatry, and disobedience to the great commission…

And that’s when you are free to disobey… when government demands you choose them over God.

Civil disobedience is permitted then… but know there may be great personal cost.

There have been many martyrs over the centuries.… including all but one of the Apostles (John… who suffered in prison nonetheless).

But until they had finished their course… until God’s will was accomplished for their life… they were under divine protection and blessing until He took them home.

They all chose to obey God over man… and what a rich and bold example they set for us.

For all the flaws of our country…I appreciate the religious freedoms we presently have in the USA… though they are increasingly being challenged.

I feel very blessed to be a U.S. citizen… and we need to pray for our leaders… our country… and pray that we can continue to worship God peaceably.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 reads, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

Pray for our leaders… we have great freedoms that is not afforded to many Christians in other parts of the world.

More and more Christians are persecuted for their faith…

… and are being arrested primarily due to laws restricting religious freedom… such as anti-conversion laws, blasphemy laws, and bans on public worship, preaching, or prayer.

And, it’s not just in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

But in many European countries… the U.K., France, Germany, Ireland are arresting Christians too.

Because our liberties are being challenged.

In fact, Christians… especially pro-lifers, have been arrested for praying, protesting, or sidewalk counseling near abortion clinics due to the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances).

24 Christians were pardoned in January 2025 for violations against the FACE Act. Praise God and thank you President Trump.

Christians have been arrested for public disturbance or trespassing due to public preaching, praying, or distributing religious materials.

Christians have been arrested for disrupting public order or non-compliance for opposing school policies on gender ideology.

All in the USA.

Did you know New Zealand is considered a more free country to practice Christianity than the USA in 2025?

In part because in 2023, 436 church attacks happened on U.S. soil… according to the Family Research Council.

But, in New Zealand… strong legal protections, minimal government restrictions, and near-zero social hostility… from what I read… ranks New Zealand very high for being about to practice Christianity without persecution.

Fact check for yourself… but Christians can worship, evangelize, and live out their faith without fear of arrest, unlike in the U.S. or Europe.

Plus, New Zealand has The Shire… Hobbiton from Lord of the Rings.

So, if you tell me, “Pastor Marc… we’re moving to New Zealand.” I’ll get it. No judgment will be passed.

We are almost finished with this passage in Romans 13… but we must end on a high note… taxes!

vv 6-7 “For because of this [our double duty] you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. [thank you Tax Man!] 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

Some Christians argue… “I’m not paying taxes because I don’t want to support evil agendas of government.”

Unfortunately, that justification finds little biblical support.

When asked about paying taxes… Jesus clearly said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matt 22:21; Mark 12:17)

Government needs revenue in order to function… so even if individual rulers are not trustworthy… or you don’t agree with policies… the system of government remains ordained by God…

Therefore… and hopefully this helps your attitude about taxes… there is a sense that in paying taxes… we are supporting God’s designed institution of Government.

We are supporting a work of God.

So pay your taxes (income and property taxes)…

… your customs (Lit. tolls, meaning government fees like sales tax)…

… fear meaning respect… respect the office, even if you can’t respect the person…

.… and honor… because they are God’s ministers… servants of God’s ordinances… and granted authority by God.

So… that’s the Christian and Government. I won’t ask for an “Amen.”

You don’t have to like it, but God does call us to submit to it… and in so doing… we submit to God.

Maybe I should have closed with that little bit on when civil disobedience is permitted.

Oh well.

Read ahead… we’ll close out chapter 13 next time… looking at loving your neighbor and putting on Christ.

Let’s Pray!

If you need prayer for anything, there will be people to pray with you up front as we close.

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’

God bless you as you enter this week ahead!