Submitting to Authorities, an Inauguration Day Message

Today is Inauguration Day in our country. A new President is being sworn in, and with him will come a host of new leaders and department heads. This last election has been the most controversial and divisive one of my lifetime, and potentially in the history of our country. The division in our country and the suspicion and allegations by many that the election was mishandled has caused a level of unrest that is reminiscent of the late 1800’s in our country.

The context of our unrest, and the fact that Christians across the country are divided over whether or not the election was fair, others are divided over the political and moral positions and character of candidates, and even others are divided over whether or not we must submit to the rulers we didn’t vote for is cause for us to examine Romans 13:1-7 today.

When we come to Romans 13:1-7, we are able to rightly apply it to our situation, when we understand that these verses are given to Christians in every situation.

Paul was not writing to Christians who had the support and encouragement of the people around them. He was writing to a minority group, newly converted Christians who had their own internal struggles in the churches of the city. His aim was to establish a solid understanding of the gospel and help instruct them on how Christians are to live according to their faith in Jesus.

The context of the letter to the Romans was not America. So, it’s important to start a study of this passage in Romans, with the recognition that these verses apply to every Christian in every country around the world.

We will be much better off as Christians in our country when we begin to read the Bible as universal truths for all Christians in all times, and not just for how we think it reads in our current situation. Why would I say that? Because it’s necessary to know that America and it’s events are not central to the story of the Bible. In fact, the American church is not central to the fulfillment of Gods plans.

Why would I say that, because the Bible doesn’t designate the church by its national borders. When God speaks of the church in the Bible, He is speaking of every born again believer. And, we cannot assume that our faith and our witness as Christians is stronger or more necessary than Christians in other countries. Especially when the growth of Christianity is happening faster in places like Southeast Asia, the continent of Africa, and even South America.

Does this mean that we aren’t important? Nope, but it does mean that we must accept the truth that we aren’t more important. The whole church is important, because it is the whole church, all Christians that are the instrument God is using to reach the nations for Christ.

I do think we should recognize the role that our country serves in the preservation of the gospel. Through the founding of our country and the freedoms that are found in the principles of our country we have been given the opportunity to steward the proclamation and spread of the gospel in unique ways. I think we have a responsibility to make the most of the freedom that we have to live for Christ and make disciples… but the Bible tells us that the word of God is not bound. And while we have incredible and special freedoms here in our country, we know that the spread of the gospel is not obstructed by anything. Hence the continued growth of the church on continents and in countries that do not have our freedoms.

As President Biden takes office today, we must practice the commands of Scripture alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.

Look at what God tells us in Romans 13:1-7

Romans 13:1–7 (CSB)

Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

Submission to the governing authorities is an act of submission to God.

Why? Look at Romans 13:3-5 says

“For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience.”

Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. God’s instruction is clear, if you follow the law you have no cause to be afraid…

I don’t think Paul is ignoring the sinfulness of mankind. We can watch video of the law in our country and other countries acting in ways that are unjust because of unjust and sinful men. And, I don’t think God is calling us to be ignorant and silent about the injustices. I do believe that God is also revealing that He holds those in government accountable for their actions, and we can work for justice while at the same time trusting that God meant it when he said that vengeance belongs to Him.

Submitting to the governing authorities is an act of faith in the sovereignty and providence of God.

You may want to say that God gave us a will and with our will we can freely do what we want. And you are right that God gave us a will, but we cannot do whatever we want. We can either submit to the desires and wants of our sin and flesh, or we can submit to the desires and Word of God. When you are saved, you are saved into the Kingdom of God to do the will of God by following Christ.

You are not saved to do whatever you want in the name of Christ, you are saved to do everything in the name of Christ as He has told you to do it in the ways He has commanded you to do it. Following Christ is an act of submission that comes from the freedom you gain over sin.

Romans 14:7–8 (CSB) says,

“7 For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

You have been saved from slavery to sin to live according to Christ. Or as 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (CSB) says, “19 Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.”

The freedom Christ has gained for you is lived in submission to Christ as your King. Therefore, to live in submission to Him is to be submissive to the authorities He has given you. This applies to our homes… our local, state, and federal governments… and the church.

Resisting governing authorities is an act of rebellion against God.

Look at Romans 13:2, “2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.”

This is clear, and again, you cannot read this only in light of our present circumstances in America. We cannot build an argument that goes against God’s clear word to all Christians. These truths were handed to Christians in Rome, the same Christians who just a little while later will be gathered into camps, murdered, and even killed in the Colisseum for sport. This is written to Christians all over the world who live in every country and region on the planet.

This is the same attitude God called the nation of Israel to have when they were captured as slaves and taken to Babylon in Jeremiah. Let me read for you God’s instructions to the enslaved Israelites in Babylon..

Jeremiah 29:4–7 (CSB)

4 This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Find wives for yourselves, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. 7 Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

They are slaves… instructed to build their lives, prayer for the leaders who enslaved them, and work for the good of the people around them.

Notice this truth- when “it thrives, you will thrive.”

I think we can directly apply this to our context today. We must be engaged in the happenings of our country. We have a voice here, we have a vote here, and we must exercise our voice and our lives for the sake of those around us. We must work from what is good, we must strive against what is evil.

For instance, we know that life begins at conception and that abortion is murder in every situation. Therefore as Christians we must be advocates and work for the cause of the unborn.

We know that racism is unjust, therefore we must work for justice to exist for all and seek to oppose racism in all of its forms.

We know that God made man and woman with a design and purpose, and we know the harm and evil that comes when we twist his design of marriage and gender. Therefore we must strive to fight for what is best for our country and advocate for a biblical view of gender and marriage.

And we are to do all of this for Christ, and through the means and mechanisms that our country offers to us.

And, the best way to do this is to make sure that our faith and our teachings are always consistent and biblical in every way. We must preserve the gospel in our homes and our church, while at the same time striving to see the gospel influence and guide the good of those around us.

Read further through the OT, notice the Israelites didn’t rebel and over throw Egypt either. The labored under harsh conditions and trusted that God would be their deliverer, and He was.

Daniel 2:21 (CSB) teaches us that rulers and established and removed by the will and hand of God.

21 He changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

I understand that this causes some questions, and I am committed to taking some time and answering those questions and teaching further on this in our Wednesday morning studies.

The way of Christ is the same that He required of His people before.

He did not come and overthrow the oppressive government that ruled over the Jews at the time of his birth and death. Jesus was a severe disappointment to many, so much so they killed him. They killed him because it was God’s plan that through Jesus’ submission to the governing authorities we would be freed from the bondage of sin. Jesus was crucified at the hands of a local governing official… an official that the providence of God placed there for that time and for that purpose.

I think we need to guard against the same attitude of the Jews in the days of Jesus.

You may want Jesus to be like John Wayne to the government you don’t like, but Christ was clear that He is the rule of the greatest kingdom- His kingdom. And that He came to overthrow the greatest enemy- sin. He came to give you the greatest freedom- forgiveness and eternal life. The fruit of Jesus’ work is for all people in all places, and is enjoyed by those who trust Him by faith in all situations. The freedom Jesus brings doesn’t depend on policies and politics. The kingdom of Christ exists all over the world in the hearts and minds of those who follow Him as their King and Savior. So, it should be no surprise to us today that God calls every Christian in every place to submit to the authorities He has established.

Caveat- you are called to follow God even if it goes against the governing authorities. But, your rebellious actions must be actual obedience to what God has said. For instance, Paul writes this letter from prison because he continued to share the gospel when the authorities told him not too. Churches in some countries continue to meet to worship and preach the word at the risk of fines and imprisonment because God tells us to gather and worship him together by reading the Scriptures, singing songs to the Lord, praying, and fellowshipping in Christ.

There is a line of conscience that we must consider when it comes to truly oppressive regimes. Are we to go into battle and free people from totalitarian governments and establish political scenarios like the one we have here in our country? I think that is a much more nuanced discussion than we have time for. God calls us to care for the oppressed and to act justly and how that impacts our relationships with people in other places is more than I can get into here. But, I can say that justice for others is at the heart of God, and ultimately it is why Christ died on the cross. His death purchased our freedom from sin, while at the same time maintained God’s justice by punishing Christ for our sin.

We need to follow the Word today and be submissive to God by submitting to our governing authorities.

We need to pray for those who are in authority

1 Timothy 2:1–3 (CSB)

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,

We need to pray for those in our city, county, state, and country

Jeremiah 29:4–7 (CSB)

4 This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Find wives for yourselves, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. 7 Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

We can trust God and live freely by following Him

We can trust God that He is at work and that His plans for His people, Christians all over the world are not thwarted by the political decisions and circumstances unfolding in our country and other countries.

Because we can trust God, we need to model what it looks like by trusting God and then working for the good of others around us. Let’s make disciples and seek to make life just and good for the people we come in contact with.