Obeying Government

I. Who are the Governing Authorities?

Romans 13:1 NKJV

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.

II. Why Submit to the Governing Authorities?

Romans 13:5 NKJV

Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.

A. To Avoid God’s Wrath

Romans 13:1–2 NKJV

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. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

1. All authority comes from God

Matthew 28:18 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

a. God established rulers by direct command

Exodus 3:10 NKJV

Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

b. God established rulers by popular request

1 Samuel 8:7 NKJV

And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.

c. God established rulers by lineage

1 Kings 13:2 NKJV

Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the Lord, and said, “O altar, altar! Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’ ”

d. God established rulers by orchestrating a coup

1 Kings 11:31 NKJV

And he said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you

2 Kings 9:1–3 NKJV

And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said to him, “Get yourself ready, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead. Now when you arrive at that place, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in and make him rise up from among his associates, and take him to an inner room. Then take the flask of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ Then open the door and flee, and do not delay.”

e. God established nondemocratic forms

Exodus 9:16 NKJV

But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.

2. All authority has a legitimate sphere of command

Matthew 22:21 NKJV

They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Acts 5:29 NKJV

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

3. Resisting legitimate commands means resisting God’s ordained ruler.

B. To Keep a Clear Conscience

Romans 13:3–4 NKJV

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. 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.

If you do good - no fear and praise

If you do evil - fear and vengeance. God’s vengeance.

III. What does Submission entail?

A. Paying Taxes

A. What kind of taxes? Income and Sales = all

B. Why pay taxes? To free up rulers to spend all their time doing what God has ordained them to do.

B. Showing Respect

Courtesy without flattery

Acts 24:10–11 NKJV

Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

Acts 24:2–3 NKJV

And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

Acts 12:22–23 NKJV

And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.

2. Criticism without railing

Matthew 14:4 NKJV

Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

Acts 23:1–5 NKJV

Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

C. Obeying them