Book of Romans bible study
Hi and Happy Resurrection Sunday!
It is because of Christ’s death and Resurrection that we can rejoice over that empty tomb. Oh death where is your sting! If it wasn’t for His resurrection our identity would be limited to the things of this world. But now we identify with the risen Christ. Our lives have meaning and purpose. We have an eternal focus that sustains us even in the midst of the turmoil that surrounds us. With that being said, let’s start chapter 13 of Romans.
Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Well this chapter is going to start off with a lot of controversy.
It’s hard to understand why we should be subject to such a corrupt government. But if we look at history we can easily see as our moral compass went South, so did the government. There is a saying that we get the government we deserve. I believe that to be true. So I guess it would be safe to assume that if our moral compass started heading in a more northerly direction then our leadership may take a turn for the better.
2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
God can use people in authority to bring us to our knees and repent.
I’ve heard many people say that president Biden is a puppet for the Democrats. But in reality, he is a puppet for God. God is using this man to destroy our democracy. The Bible is full of accounts of brutal regimes that caused God’s people to repent and turn back to Him.
Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence.
The United States has become a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah.
The deeds and the speech of many of our citizens is vile and repulsive. What was once good is now evil and what was once evil has now become good.
Romans 13:2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
So let’s get this straight. We are called to be subject to the governing authorities that God has put in place.
So if God is using a corrupt government to bring us to our knees, then it stands to reason that we must be subject to this government in order to find favor in God’s eyes. To do otherwise will bring God’s continued wrath upon us. So as a Christian, should we do what we know to be contrary to God’s law? Absolutely not!
We cannot and will not give in to laws that are contrary to God’s will for our lives.
Whether it be allowing sexual indoctrination for kindergarteners or legalized abortion, we cannot condone or accept these atrocities.
Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
If we are law-abiding citizens then we have nothing to fear.
But if we choose to live outside the law then the fear of legal fines, imprisonment, and possibly the death penalty are possible consequences for our actions. If we choose to do that which is good, then we can live peaceably and without fear.
Psalms 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Verse 4.
Romans 13:4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
Whether it be the president, the mayor, your state’s governor, or anyone in a position of authority they are God’s servant.
Whether or not they know God, they are still appointed by God and are called to enforce the law and administer punishment to anyone who is outside of that law. We need to respect those individuals who are over us. Let’s look at David. David had numerous opportunities to take King Saul’s life. But he would not do it because he was God’s anointed. He respected Saul not for the evil he did but because God had appointed him to rule over God’s people.
Romans 13:5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
It shouldn’t just be the fear of punishment that leads us to be subject to authority, but we need to have a clear conscience that is not guilt-ridden for our actions.
Romans 13:6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
We owe the government not only our obedience but our financial support by paying taxes.
Taxes are necessary in order to minister to the safety and well-being of the people. A government needs to be structured. In order to have structure you have to have police, firemen, a military and other necessities that ensure the peace and stability of that country. If we are Christians we shouldn’t even think twice about paying taxes.
Romans 13:7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Jesus expounded on this when he has a conversation with the Pharisees.
Mark 12:14-17 And they came and said to him, Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not? 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it. 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? They said to him, Caesar’s. 17 Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.
I know for many of you being subject to the government is a hard pill to swallow.
But despite all of it, we have one Lord, one king and his name is Jesus Christ. We submit to His authority and whatever submission we have to the government is done within the limits of the lordship of Christ, for the sake of His glory. Just like Daniel we don’t have to eat the King’s food. We need to be more vocal in those things that are not of God. We are not just lambs for the slaughter. So let your voice be heard Christian. We are all members of the body of Christ. So all the members need to work together to bring about reform and revival. Don’t be a passive Christian. Stand up for your faith.
Our brothers and sisters in the Ukraine are standing up right now for their faith. Please continue to pray that good may triumph over evil. There is truly power in prayer.