Sunday School -- December 01, 2024 -- Glens Fork Church of Good News

Last Sunday We Finished Chapter 12 of Romans

Recap:

• Christians are to present their bodies as living sacrifices
• Christians are to use their spiritual gifts to serve the Church
• Christians are to test everything by Scripture
• Christians are to loving one another without hypocrisy

Today, we begin our study of Romans chapter 13.

Let everyone be subject 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, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

In chapter 12, we learned that we are not to take vengeance, but rather to genuinely love others. Now Paul tells us our proper relationship to those in earthly authority.

Paul says let everyone be subject to the authorities. There were zealous Jews in his day who recognized no king but God and paid taxes to no one but God. This brought them into conflict with the Roman government.

• How many sitting here this morning get their driver’s license renewed when they expire?
• How many pay taxes?
• Who remembers when local schools took down 10 commandments, stopped prayer?
• Do you remember a time when a school teacher had a Bible on their desk?

God doesn’t always appoint earthly leaders to bless the people. Sometimes it is for judgment or to ripen people for judgment. For example, the Israelites demanded a king and God appointed Saul through his prophet Samuel.

If earthly authorities are established by God, does that mean we must obey them in all things, without exception? What is the federal government outlaws Christianity and starts confiscating Bibles?

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! -- Acts 4:18-19

And so we see that we are to obey earthly authorities unless they come into conflict with God’s Law, which then takes precedence for Christians.

What is the job of government?

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 you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

What is Paul telling his readers in verses 3 and 4?

Paul’s idea is that Christians should be the best citizens of all. Even though they are loyal to God before they are loyal to the state, Christians are good citizens because they are honest, give no trouble to the state, pay their taxes, and – most importantly – pray for the state and the rulers.

How many of us prayed for Barack Obama while he was in the White House?

5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter 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 to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

If the state’s rulers are God’s ministers (servants), they should remember that they are only servants, and not gods themselves.

It is through the just punishment of evil that government serves its function in God’s plan of holding man’s sinful tendencies in check. When a government fails to do this consistently, it opens itself up to God’s judgment and correction.

Let me back up momentarily to verse 4: 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Agree or disagree that Romand 13:4 shows Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is teaching that the state has the God-given authority to use capital punishment? In referencing the sword, Paul would have been thinking of the common Roman practice of executing criminals by beheading them.

5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Christians obey earthly governmental authorities not just to escape punishment (tickets, fines, prison sentences), but also because we know through Scripture and the eyes of our consciences that obedience is the right thing to do before God.

Romans 13:6 is teaching that the taxes collected are to be used by government to get the job done of restraining evil and keeping an orderly society – not to enrich the government officials themselves.

We’ll resume at Romand 13:7 on Sunday 12/08/2024.