Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Ouch! Most of us hate taxes. But we should also admit that we enjoy many of the privileges and blessings those taxes provide. Paul reminds us in
Romans 13 that civil authorities are God's tools to hold back anarchy, chaos, and lawlessness. Oh yes, I know, and Paul knew that some government officials abuse their positions. As Christians, most of us are immune, or should be, to most laws because our faith in Jesus and love for others are going to regulate our behavior far more strictly than any civil legal code. We obey them because we first obey Christ, who calls us to a higher standard. But I do have a responsibility - we
"owe" it, Paul says, to our governments to be good citizens, respectful neighbors, and people who willingly honor those who have merited it and deserve it by law. Even when they don't, we are called to reflect the character, grace, and strength of Jesus and the righteousness that he calls us to live.
Almighty God, I pledge my allegiance to you. You alone are Sovereign, Ruler, King, and God. Because you have called me to honor the government authorities, I will, as long as they do not call me to disobey or dishonor you. Because you have lavished your grace on me so richly, I commit to live today in a way that honors my allegiance to you. In Jesus' name, I pray to live up to these commitments. Amen.
Bible: Browse OT/NT Books
Comments
Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment