Christian Submission to Authority: A Divine Perspective
Summary
In today's exploration of Romans 13:1-7, we delve into the Christian's responsibility to governing authorities. The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Rome, emphasizes the importance of submission to these authorities, as they are instituted by God. This submission is not about blind obedience but a recognition of God's sovereignty over all creation. Paul outlines three key aspects: what our responsibility is, why we have it, and how we fulfill it.
Firstly, the responsibility is clear: every person is to be in subjection to governing authorities. This is not a begrudging submission but a willing and orderly one, recognizing that authority and order are important to God. The reason for this submission is twofold. Governing authorities are instituted by God, and they have a specific role in maintaining order and promoting justice. While not every authority is godly, God's sovereignty remains over every governing authority.
The how of this submission involves obeying for conscience's sake, not just out of fear of punishment. Christian obedience to laws is a matter of integrity, reflecting our transformed life in Christ. Additionally, there is a duty to pay taxes and honor authority, supporting the government's role in maintaining justice. However, there are limits to this submission. When human laws directly contradict God's commands, Christians are called to obey God first.
In our context, especially in a representative democracy, we have the opportunity to engage in civic duties like voting, which is not contrary to the call to submit to governing authorities. Christians are encouraged to engage in the political process, voting for righteousness and justice while maintaining an attitude that reflects God's order.
Ultimately, our submission to earthly authorities is a reflection of our submission to the true King of kings and Lord of lords. If you have yet to bow the knee to Jesus, I invite you to do so today. For those who struggle with a rebellious heart, lay it at the altar and surrender fully to Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Submission to Authority as a Reflection of God's Order: Christians are called to submit to governing authorities as they are instituted by God. This submission is not about blind obedience but recognizing God's sovereignty and order in the world. It reflects our relationship with God and our understanding of His authority. [09:55]
2. The Role and Purpose of Government: The primary function of government is to maintain order and promote justice. When functioning correctly, it serves as a minister of God for good. Christians are to live lawfully and righteously, recognizing the government's role in God's order. [12:33]
3. Obedience for Conscience's Sake: Christian obedience to laws should be a matter of integrity, reflecting our transformed life in Christ. It's not just about fear of punishment but a heartfelt submission to God's established order. [17:46]
4. Limits of Submission to Government: Submission to government is not absolute. When human laws contradict God's commands, Christians must obey God first. This requires discernment and a commitment to God's higher authority. [30:38]
5. Engagement in Civic Duties: In a representative democracy, Christians are encouraged to engage in civic duties like voting. This engagement should reflect a commitment to righteousness and justice, while maintaining respect for authority. [36:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:18] - Context of Romans 13
- [03:18] - Reading the Scripture
- [05:18] - Christian Responsibility to Authorities
- [06:06] - The Call to Submission
- [07:02] - The Struggle with Authority
- [08:55] - Understanding Submission
- [09:55] - Authority and God's Order
- [11:21] - God's Sovereignty Over Authorities
- [12:33] - Role and Purpose of Government
- [14:33] - Justice and Government's Role
- [15:45] - How to Fulfill Our Responsibility
- [17:46] - Obedience for Conscience's Sake
- [19:33] - Personal Reflection on Authority
- [21:29] - Societal Issues and Authority
- [23:14] - Duty to Pay Taxes and Honor Authority
- [26:50] - Limits of Submission to Government
- [30:38] - Obeying God Over Man
- [32:39] - Civic Engagement and Voting
- [36:36] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 13:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 13:1-7, what is the primary reason Paul gives for Christians to be in subjection to governing authorities? [03:18]
2. How does Paul describe the role of governing authorities in maintaining order and promoting justice? [12:33]
3. What does Paul mean by saying that obedience should be "for conscience's sake" and not just out of fear of punishment? [17:46]
4. What are the limits of submission to government as discussed in the sermon, and how does Paul address this issue? [30:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God's sovereignty over governing authorities influence a Christian's perspective on political engagement? [11:21]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christian obedience to laws reflects a transformed life in Christ? [17:46]
3. How might a Christian discern when to obey God over human laws, according to the sermon? [30:38]
4. What role does civic engagement, such as voting, play in a Christian's responsibility to governing authorities? [36:36]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with submitting to authority. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in light of Romans 13:1-7? [07:02]
2. How can you ensure that your obedience to laws is a matter of integrity and not just fear of punishment? What steps can you take to align your actions with your conscience? [17:46]
3. Consider the current political climate. How can you engage in civic duties, like voting, in a way that reflects righteousness and justice? [36:36]
4. Are there any areas in your life where you feel a conflict between human laws and God's commands? How can you seek discernment and guidance in these situations? [30:38]
5. How can you cultivate an attitude of respect and honor towards governing authorities, even when you disagree with them? What practical steps can you take to show this respect? [23:14]
6. In what ways can you actively participate in promoting justice and order in your community, reflecting the role of government as described in the sermon? [12:33]
7. How can you encourage others in your community or church to engage in political processes with a mindset that honors God’s sovereignty? [38:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Submission Reflects Divine Order
Christians are called to submit to governing authorities as a reflection of God's order and sovereignty. This submission is not about blind obedience but about recognizing that all authority is established by God. It is an acknowledgment of God's ultimate control over creation and His desire for order and justice in the world. By submitting to earthly authorities, Christians demonstrate their understanding of God's authority and their relationship with Him. This submission should be willing and orderly, reflecting a transformed life in Christ. [09:55]
"For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." (Romans 13:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate a willing and orderly submission to authority in your daily life, reflecting God's order and sovereignty?
Day 2: Government as God's Minister for Good
The role of government is to maintain order and promote justice, serving as a minister of God for good. While not every authority is godly, the institution of government itself is part of God's design for society. Christians are called to live lawfully and righteously, recognizing the government's role in God's order. This involves supporting the government's efforts to maintain justice and order, even when the authorities themselves may not always act in a godly manner. [12:33]
"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." (Romans 13:1, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively support the government's role in promoting justice and order in your community today?
Day 3: Obedience from the Heart
Christian obedience to laws should be a matter of integrity, reflecting a transformed life in Christ. This obedience is not just about fear of punishment but a heartfelt submission to God's established order. It is an expression of our conscience and integrity, demonstrating our commitment to living a life that honors God. By obeying laws for conscience's sake, Christians show that their lives are guided by a higher moral standard rooted in their faith. [17:46]
"Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience." (Romans 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a specific law or rule you struggle to obey? How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity to reflect your transformed life in Christ?
Day 4: Discerning the Limits of Submission
Submission to government is not absolute. When human laws contradict God's commands, Christians must obey God first. This requires discernment and a commitment to God's higher authority. Christians are called to navigate the tension between obeying earthly authorities and remaining faithful to God's commands. This discernment involves prayer, seeking wisdom, and a willingness to stand firm in one's faith, even when it means going against human laws. [30:38]
"But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" (Acts 5:29, ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you might need to prioritize God's commands over human laws? How can you prepare yourself to make that choice with courage and faith?
Day 5: Engaging in Civic Duties with Integrity
In a representative democracy, Christians are encouraged to engage in civic duties like voting. This engagement should reflect a commitment to righteousness and justice while maintaining respect for authority. By participating in the political process, Christians can influence society for good, promoting values that align with God's order. This involvement is an opportunity to be salt and light in the world, advocating for justice and righteousness in the public sphere. [36:36]
"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in civic duties this week, ensuring that your actions reflect a commitment to righteousness and justice?
Quotes
1) "The primary function of government is to maintain order and promote justice. If that's what government is doing, there should be no problem. There should be no problem submitting to governing authorities. Amen? Amen. That's an easy one, I think. The primary function of government is, according to God's standard, to maintain order and promote justice. So Christians are to live lawfully and righteously so that we need not fear government punishment. That's what Paul says. Right? And then he says, he goes on in verse 4. For it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it does not bear the sword for nothing. For it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil." [13:25] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "For the Christian, our submission to authority reflects our relationship with God. Our willingness to submit to God's rightful authorities in our life reflects in some ways our relationship with Him. We are a people under authority and we see so many issues here, right? In our society where obedience and, you know, submission to authority is just thrown out the window, right? We see it in problems in our, in the schools where we have kids who don't know how to listen to authorities. We see it in our own families and other families. We see societal problems. We see problems with interactions with police and criminals, and we see problems in politics, and we see problems, all of these problems, so many of them, not all of them, but so many of them." [21:29] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Christians are called to be subject, to be in subjection to the governing authorities as a part of our witness to God's order in the world. And this submission is grounded in the recognition of God's sovereignty over all of creation, his kingship over every other king. He is king of kings, kings and Lord of lords. And so we respect, we pay taxes, we pay obedience, we pay custom and honor, except when such laws and such authorities contradict God's commands to us, because he is the king of kings and Lord of lords. And a king has no right to tell us to disobey the true king. Amen." [36:36] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "The limits of submission to government. What happens when the government contradicts God's law? What happens when the governing authorities are not ministers for the good, and they are not a fearful thing to evildoers only, but also are a fearful thing to good doers? I don't want you know, some, I've read some commentaries, I've read a lot of commentaries on this text, and oddly, several of the commentaries mention this other interpretation, but maybe it's because I was reading only a certain, you know, stream of theological thought. But I didn't read that interpretation on any of the other commentaries, but they all point to some people think Paul's being naive, or just speaking in generalities, or maybe whatever. Paul didn't really know how bad government could be when he said this." [26:50] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Paul was writing this to the Romans, and at the time, Nero was Caesar. I don't know if anybody, how many of you know anything about Nero other than his name? A little? A few of you? Okay. Just a brief overview. Nero was insane towards the end of his life. He was fairly normal at the beginning of his reign. Towards the end, I just, I don't recommend looking up necessarily, because he did really, really crazy stuff. I mean, he burned down whole parts of cities. He burned people alive on the stake. He dressed up like an animal and did all kinds of crazy stuff. He was a very, very bad man. And Paul was aware, that that guy was alive, right? And also Paul, and I will also say this, so he wasn't naive, okay? He wasn't naive about, because I would also point to the fact that we all know how Paul met his end, right? He was executed by the governing authorities in prison because he wouldn't obey them and stop preaching the gospel." [28:39] (90 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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