The State, The Church, and the Believer: Part 3

The presidential election in less than a month away, and we have looked for two weeks at the beginning of Romans 13, which deals with the church and the believer’s response to government. Remember at the time of Paul’s writing to the church in Rome, Rome was the capital of the world. There was much tension in the world and many things that were coming down the path for Paul, Christians, and Jews. In AD 62 Emperor Nero would overthrow the Senate’s rule, two years later Rome would burn, and Christians would be blamed. Jewish zealots would attempt to overthrow Roman rule (we saw this building up a couple of decades earlier with Jesus and His disciples in the Gospel).

Verses 1-2 review:

· We as believers should be subject (submit) to government

· All Authority is from God.

· God has appointed government

· Resisting the authority is like resisting God.

· This will bring judgment on yourself

· God uses these governing authorities to be instruments of His wrath/judgment on earth, but He is ultimately the One in charge.

Verses 3-4

· Ruler not a terror (causing fear) or cause or strike fear in people who are doing right.

· If you are doing good conduct you should fear the authorities.

· The fear is for who is doing evil (wrong doing). Are you afraid when you are speeding? Because you know you shouldn’t be going over the speed limit?

· Do you want to not live in fear? Do what is good

· “God intends for civil government to promote public good. Generally speaking, peaceful and law-abiding citizens have been favorably treated by their governments throughout history. With notable exceptions, such people have no fear of authority. As long as they do what is good, they not only will not be mistreated but will have praise from their government.” (MAC)

· Remember Paul used his Roman citizenship as a card from time to time. He looked to the government for protection (Acts 16:22-40; Acts 22:22-29; Acts 25).

· Now this not always the case, because humans are sinful and can be moved one way or another.

· The Governing Authorities (verse 4) are God’s minister to you for good