Duties to Government
10 November 2013 AM – Romans 13:1-7 – Romans – Scott Childs
Introduction: As we begin this chapter, it is good for us to remember that Paul was writing to the Christians in the church at Rome in about the year 58 AD. We would do well to understand what Rome was like in those days. Nero was the wicked Emperor. His parents had ungovernable tempers and immoral characters. His father died (40 AD) when he was three years old. In 49 AD, his mother became the fourth wife of her uncle Claudius the Emperor to try to get Nero on the throne. In 50 AD, she soon persuaded Claudius to adopt Nero as his son. In 53, Nero married Claudius’ daughter Octavia. His mother had Claudius poisoned in 54, and Nero became the Emperor at the age of 16. In 55, Nero murdered Claudius’ son to prevent rivalry. In 59, his evil mistress Poppaea had his mother killed. In 62, Nero married Poppaea and she plotted to have his first wife Octavia killed. On the 19th of July 64 AD, more than half of Rome burned to the ground. Many believe that Nero started the fire, but he blamed the Christians and severe persecution broke out. In 65, Poppaea, then pregnant, died when Nero kicked her during a fit of rage. (ISBE, “Nero”)
When Paul wrote Romans 13, this wicked, immoral, murderous Nero was on the throne. Paul was not writing to a church in a Christian land, but to a church in a godless land.
Transition: This passage tells us important facts about our duties to the government that we need to put into practice ourselves.
I. God Requires that We Submit to the Government (1-2)
A. God makes the need for submission very clear
1. He expects every soul to submit to higher powers.
2. Paul reminds us that God himself appointed civil government.
3. This has nothing to do with the character of the higher power. The leadership may be wicked, but God approves the institution of government.
B. If we oppose government, we oppose God
1. This does not justify evil governments, nor does it mean that God supports their evil doings.
2. However, God will judge those who oppose God ordained government.
3. On the other hand, Peter and John disobeyed the religious leaders that were above them when they continued to preach.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
4. Evidently, because God’s power is above civil powers, if the government forbids us to do what God commands, we must obey God.
For example, the Bible says that abortion is murder, but as long as the government does not make abortion mandatory, we can only oppose it in a lawful manner.
5. God wants Christians to be law-abiding citizens.
If an evil government overthrows a country, is it wrong to fight to defend freedom? Were my American forefathers wrong in fighting the British government to gain freedom and independence? These are tough questions with no easy answers.
II. God Ordained Government to Curb Evil (3-5)
A. God reminds us that rulers oppose evil.
1. Laws of the land promote good and to quash evil, at least they are supposed to.
a) Government helps to keep us safe. It helps to stop dishonesty. It improves our transportation. It aids in sanitation. It is for our good.
b) We ought then to fear or respect government.
2. Those who do good are praised even in an ungodly society.
3. If we do evil, we must expect to be punished. God uses civil leaders to bring angry punishment on evil doers. God ordained human government way back in Genesis 9 after the flood.
B. God gives us two more reasons to obey government
1. Obedience avoids angry punishment (4-5).
a) Our sinful nature does not like punishment, but what happens when punishment is softened? As governments ease the severity of punishment for crimes, crimes increase.
b) God ordained human government to punish evil. That is good not bad.
c) To avoid punishment, we simply must obey. Christians ought to be the best law-abiding citizens of the country. We ought to obey speed laws, tax laws, copyright laws, parking laws, and even water laws.
2. Obedience maintains a good conscience (5).
a) When God the Holy Spirit lives in a Christian, he convicts our conscience when we disobey the law.
b) God tells us that the simply way to keep a clear conscience is to obey the government.
III. God Requires that Christians Pay Taxes (6-7)
Someone has said, “People who complain about taxes can be divided into two classes: men and women.” Another has said, “The only two things that are certain in life are death and taxes.” No one likes paying taxes, yet they are part of life.
A. Taxes support rulers who are helping us (6)
1. God has a work-pay principle. All who work deserve to receive pay.
Luke 10:7 … for the labourer is worthy of his hire. …
Thomas Constable reminds us that, “Government workers are indirectly God’s servants, and we should support God’s servants. Individual rulers may be unworthy, but the institution is not. Governments cannot function without incomes.”
2. While no one enjoys paying taxes, we can keep a good attitude about taxes if we remember that God wants us to pay them, that they pay for our leader’s wages, and that we enjoy many benefits because we pay taxes.
B. Taxes are a debt (7)
1. Even Jesus defended paying taxes.
Luke 20:22-25 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.
2. We are to render (give over) all that is due.
a) We may not like the tax, but if it is required, we must pay it in full.
b) It is wrong for a person to try to smuggle goods into the country without paying customs on them.
c) It is wrong to not claim work earnings on our tax forms.
d) Taxes may seem unjust or too high, but that does not justify civil disobedience.
C. God says respect and honour are also taxes (7)
1. God expects us to fear or respect government leaders. They may be ungodly or even evil, but we still must respect their position of leadership.
2. God expects us to honour government leaders. If we cannot honour their character, we still must honour their position.
Conclusion: The Roman Christians in 58 AD had an ungodly, wicked Emperor, but they were still to submit to his government, pay their taxes, respect, and honour their leaders.
Our government is far from righteous, but better than that of Rome in 58 AD. If God expected Christians in Rome to submit, pay taxes, respect, and honour their leaders, we too must do the same. We cannot justify disobedience just because we do not like a law or a leader. If the government requires disobedience to God, then we must obey God. Otherwise, we must obey our government.
If you find God’s expectations unreasonable and nearly impossible, perhaps it is because you lack a personal relationship with God. On judgment day, we will answer to the King of kings, Jesus Christ. If you have not yet obeyed the Gospel by repenting of sin and trusting Christ to save you, you are not ready for judgment day. You must obey the Gospel today.
Song: Just As I Am – 249