Knuckle Down
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come now to be with You, to share my heart and hear Your Word to me.
Read ROMANS 13:1-14
[1] Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2] Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. [3] For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. [4] For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. [5] Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. [6] This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. [7] Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. [8] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. [9] The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. [11] And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. [12] The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. [13] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. [14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why is it important to submit to the government?“Yes, but how can I be expected to submit to a system which allows……………?” (Fill in your own blank.) It’s a fair question. Maybe your blank is policies that question an unborn child’s right to life, such high taxes, or a questionable foreign policy.
If we were entitled to use this excuse, however, civil government of any kind would be impossible. No government can be flawless. Yet Paul teaches us to do more than “put up with it.” He says the authorities are no less than God’s servants, placed over us for our own good. This was much tougher for the Roman church to hear than for us. It’s no accident that this passage comes right after Paul’s teaching on how to deal with enemies and those we see as agents of evil. That’s exactly what they were thinking!
We’d all like some “wiggle room,” but none is available. We need to knuckle down, pay gladly all the taxes we owe without trying to pull a fast one (it’s all God’s money, anyhow), and respect the rule of law. (And, yes, last time I checked, that includes speed limits.)
Apply
Re-read v. 7. Then, check your feelings toward local and national authorities and pray for them today.
Closing prayer
Lord, You know it’s hard for me to always respect the government. Help me to be obedient to Your command.
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