You can go ahead and turn to
chapter 13, Romans chapter 13. I'll go ahead and read these
first seven verses here before we go over the verse-by-verse
study and what I've been doing over a period of time. Verse one says, let every soul
be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of
God. The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth
the power resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist
shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to
good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid
of the power? Do that which is good. and thou
shalt have praise of the same. For he is the minister of God,
speaking of that individual that God has put in the position of
a ruler, of authority, for he is the minister of God to thee
for good. But if thou do that which is
evil, be afraid. for he bears not the sword in
vain, for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute
wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore, you must need be subject
not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for
this cause pay ye tribute also, for they are God's ministers
attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore
to all their dues Tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to
whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Now, as
I've stated in the last message that I had back in chapter 12,
dealing with the vengeance belonging to God, the doctrines concerning
predestination, concerning justification, and so forth, already been established
by Paul in his earlier writings to the church. And we need to
keep that in mind as we take a look at these duties and responsibilities
of believers. We need to always understand
that it is Christ that justifies it. We're justified based entirely
on the righteousness of Christ being freely imputed to us. And
these responsibilities and duties that we have on this earth, we
don't need to ignore them. We need to abide by them. But at the same time, we need
to understand that our justification, our salvation has already been
accomplished by Christ as he lived his life on this earth
and died in our place. But the apostle, he now continues
here in this chapter, chapter 13 that we're gonna look at this
morning, with our relationship with the civil government of
God. That government that God's placed us under on this earth,
which duties and responsibilities are all built upon the doctrines
of grace that Paul's already dealt with in earlier chapters
of Romans. The apostle having finished his
exhortations to this church in relationship, in relation to
the many duties that both officers and other believers within the
church are obligated to perform. With reference to our moral conduct
in this world, Paul now proceeds to advise, direct, and exhort
believers to such duties as were relative to them as members of
a civil society. I think that not only back in
Paul's day, but even in our day, Christians, having become the
subjects of a kingdom which is not of this world, might be led
to suppose that they were released from the ties of obedience to
human authorities, especially authorities which were not Christian. The Apostle Paul here in chapter
13 clarifies this sort of thinking. God through, excuse me, God through
the Apostle Paul commands every soul no matter what nationality
you are, Jew or Gentile, to be subject to the existing powers
that we're under. He also makes no exception as
to the nature or constitution of any government, whether it
be a dictatorship, a democracy, or a republic. We as believers
should work within the frame of whatever government and constitution
we find ourselves subject to. Before I begin going over these
verses this morning, let me just say that no matter what happens
on this earth, no matter what happens, it is for our good. It's for the believer's good.
I know this, so this is so because God tells me through his word
in Romans 8, 28, where it says, and we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are called
according to his purpose. Sometimes it's hard for us to
see this truth when there is so many negative things going
on around us each day, so many abuses of leadership. As we look
around today, it seems as though the world is just falling apart,
as though there is no one in control. As believers, we know
that even though countries rise and countries fall, God has ordained
it so. You remember what happened with
Pharaoh when God, through Moses, brought the children out of Egypt,
out of bondage in Egypt. God says that he raised him up
and placed Pharaoh as ruler over Egypt, that in time, in time,
God might show his power. Look at Romans chapter nine,
verse 17. In chapter nine and verse 17,
it says, for the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same
purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in
thee, and that my name might be declared throughout the earth."
Here we have a rebellious ruler that God had placed in authority
as ruler over Egypt. And God did this in order to
show his power in the earth. God meant all of it for good.
All those things that happened while Pharaoh was ruler in Egypt. But Pharaoh meant it for evil,
all those things that he did concerning things against the
nation Israel as they were under his authority. He did it out
of the evil of his own sinful heart. We also have the account
of Joseph, who was sold into bondage by his brothers. Let's
look at what Joseph told his brothers when they found him
in Egypt years later. had placed Joseph in a position
of power and leadership in Egypt. And this was while they were
going through a time of famine in the land. And y'all remember
the story about Joseph and his brothers and Jacob, their father,
and what happened to Joseph. You know the story of how Jacob
sent his sons up to Egypt years later in order to get food because
of the famine. Joseph made the following statements
when his brothers found out that this was their brother whom they
had sold in the bondage. And you remember when they found
it out, they went up there to get food and that's when Joseph
met them and they found out that was his brother they had sold
in bondage. Look at what Joseph told his brothers here in Genesis
50, 20. It says, but as for you, But as for you, ye thought evil
against me." His brothers thought evil against him when they took
him and they wound up selling him in the bondage to those men. They meant it for evil. He said,
but God meant it unto good to bring the past as it is today
to save much people. Now while Joseph was going through
all of these terrible things at the hands of his brothers,
I'm sure that he didn't think it was for his good during that
time. But in the end, it was not only
for Joseph's good, but for his entire family, his brothers,
his father, and also the entire land of Egypt. Now, with these
things in mind, let's go over the verses here that we're going
to go over this morning. Verse 1 says, let every soul
be subject unto higher powers, for there is no power but of
God. The powers that be are ordained of God. One thing every true
believer should understand well, and that is the necessity of
submission to godly and proper authority. Concerning the highest
and most important submission of all, is when God the Holy
Spirit brings us to see our sinfulness. and the holiness of God. He brings
us to submit to His will and His way of salvation by the Lord
Jesus Christ. The next few verses gives us
some examples, the next verse rather, gives us some examples
of those that chose not to submit themselves to the true God of
Scripture. In Romans chapter 10 and verse
1, beginning at verse 1, it says, Paul speaking of his brethren
according to the flesh, the nation Israel. Brethren, my heart's
desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be
saved. For I bear them record, they have a zeal of God, but
it's not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's
righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness,
have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone
that believe it. Unlike those in the verse that we just read,
we as believers do submit to the righteousness of God as the
only way God will save a sinner. But God has to make us willing
to submit. We submit to God's judgments
concerning us as sinners. We also submit to his word of
truth and salvation by his free and sovereign grace in the Lord
Jesus Christ, based on his righteousness alone, the very righteousness
of God. This submission to grace is opposed
to our natural, sinful way of thinking, because when we fell
in Adam, we rejected submission to God's authority, and we opted
in the person of Adam for our own. Our only hope of salvation
is to be brought into submission to Christ. Thank God that he
makes us willing in the day of his power to submit to Christ
in his righteousness. If he didn't, if he didn't do
this work in us, we'd be just like all other sinners. We wouldn't submit. Another part
of this submission that God has ordained is submission to higher
authority in which God has placed us in as we live on this earth,
and this is mainly what these verses are about that we're dealing
with this morning. God has ordained civil governments
and authorities for our well-being and for our happiness in this
life. We as believers are to submit to these higher powers
as they are ordained and ordered by God. Believers are to be law-abiding
citizens under whatever government we providentially find ourselves.
Romans 13 one, verse we're dealing with here, Paul's not dealing
with our spiritual condition, but our civil responsibilities
as believers. It was not uncommon for the early
Christians to be accused of teaching people to rebel and rise up against
civil authority. This was mainly due to their
thoughts of not having an earthly king to rule over them. However,
this was not the case in this verse. But if any sought to use
the teachings of Christ as grounds for such behavior, Paul proves
the opposite. As a general rule, if we obey
the laws of the land, we avoid civil punishment. But if we break
the law, we suffer civil punishment. God has ordained these governments
and all those who are in the offices and authority in these
governments from the president all the way down to the police
officer. We are to show them respect and honor suitable to
their positions. And we are to obey their lawful
commands with submission. It is God's will that they are
to be obeyed as magistrates in the exercise of a lawful authority. The power of civil government
is delegated by God. God delegates His power to these
individuals. However, this delegated power
is not absolute power. So if the demands of the civil
government are in any way in conflict with the law of God,
then it is our clear duty to resist, if it is. Now, in verse
two here, It says, whosoever therefore resists the power,
resists the ordinance of God, they that resist shall receive
themselves damnation. We're not to look upon those
in power in a personal way, but in an official way. I believe
that this verse says that if we disobey the just laws of the
land, we disobey God himself. Paul here is speaking of resisting
officials in the right discharge of their office and in the exercise
of legal power and authority. We know that from time to time,
people who have been placed in certain office may abuse the
duties of that office. When this happens, we should
let our voices be known, and this should be done through our
elected representatives. We need to operate within the
Constitution and with the form of government that we're placed
under. Also, Paul is not saying that those that resist authority
will be threatened with eternal damnation. Damnation here, literally
condemnation, is punishment. And punishment here is civil
punishment, not spiritual or eternal punishment. Remember,
according to Romans 12, 12, we are to rejoice in hope. and in
the certainty of eternal blessedness based entirely on the finished
work of Christ. We who believe the gospel are
never to fear eternal condemnation because we have Christ's righteousness
charged to our account, a perfect righteousness that answers all
the demands of God's law and justice. God has graciously not
charged us with our sins. He charged them to Christ, and
Christ paid the ultimate price on the cross. when he died and
paid the debt, our sin debt. Let's look at a verse that proves
that there can be no eternal damnation for any of God's elect. Romans 8.1 says, there is therefore
now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk
not after the flesh but after the spirit. As we see here in
Romans 8.1, There is not nor can there ever be any condemnation
or eternal damnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. But
believers are to be law-abiding citizens. And if we break the
laws of the land, we're just as liable to civil punishment,
just as much as an unbeliever. Now, in verse three here, Romans
13, says, for rulers are not a terror to good works, But to
evil wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is
good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. Again, as a general
rule, civil authority is not a terror to law-abiding people.
Authority is hated by lawbreakers. We see this in our fallen Adam.
The whole human race fell in Adam when he rejected God's sovereign
authority and chose his own, and we fell in Adam. This is
the way of man by nature. He despises authority. Believers
are to show respect to authority. because it is ordained by God
to restrain evil and to preserve society from destruction, temporarily,
due to the sinful, rebellious nature of mankind, due to sin. Without it, there would be total
anarchy and chaos. Good works and evil works are
not spoken of here in reference to spiritual, eternal things,
but in reference to civil government and laws. Our civil rulers are
bound by law, or at least should be, and those who obey the law
generally cannot be justly punished. What the apostle's telling us
here is we should have no need to fear this punishment if we
obey the civil law. I know that just for an example,
and there's so many examples I could give this morning, but
I know I've already told, always told my children and good example
here dealing with this, that concerning police officers, if
they stop you or stop you and question you or whatever they
do, you respect them. Don't argue with them. If you
argue with them, you're going to get in trouble. You can count on it. Hopefully,
just be respectful to them and tell them what your side is or
whatever. Hopefully, you'll maybe get a
warning rather than a ticket or something. But if you start
to not respect that police officer, you're going to have to suffer
for it. And that's what this scripture
is telling about concerning this respect and authority. But anyway, in Romans chapter
13, verse four, it says, for he is the minister, speaking
of that one that's been placed in authority, he's the minister
of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is
evil, be afraid, for he bears not the sword in vain, for he
is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that
doeth evil. Those in authority are servants
of God in a civil, temporal sense for the general welfare of all.
They serve God by protecting civil law keepers and punishing
civil law breakers. Civil law keepers are protected.
Only those who break the law should fear the punishment. And
again, this is God's will and ordination of authority in a
civil sense. And verse five says, wherefore,
You must be subject not only for wrath, but also for conscience
sake. Keep the laws of the land, not only to avoid the punishment,
but also for conscience sake, for your conscience sake, from
a right motive regarding the revealed will of God. Civil rebellion
and anarchy are forbidden by God. We can use laws to bring
about change, such as voting for or voting against certain
laws, and in the just exercise of our civil courts. But we are
forbidden to use unlawful means. The only exception is when the
law of man is directly opposed to the revealed law of God. Now,
here in verse six and seven here, it says, for this cause pay ye
tribute also, for they are God's ministers, attending continually
upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their
dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom,
fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor. Now, before I
begin speaking on verse six and seven, I need to qualify some
things. The basic principles stated in
these verses, they're just as relevant today as they were back
then. We realize that the extent of the government that we see
today, we realize that it's grown in such a way that even our founders
would not even recognize it. They wouldn't even recognize
it today. Our tax system today is so corrupt There's no fair
taxation. Everything that you touch is
taxed. Just about everything is taxed. You have a state tax,
federal tax, local tax, gas tax, food tax, automobile tax, road
tax, school tax. They even tax the air you breathe.
When it comes to factories and their production of things, they
tax these factories and stuff, and you wind up paying for it. But after saying all of this,
And how unfair the tax issue is, we are still not to cheat
on our taxes, even under what we see as bad government. Bad
governments are better than no government at all. We are to
pay the taxes that are necessary to maintain the government that
God has ordained and temporarily placed us under. Tribute is what
we now call taxes. Therefore, pay taxes to whom
taxes are due. Customs are taxes on materials
and merchandise. And the fear spoken of here is
respect to those in official capacities. For we are to honor
those in authority by virtue of their office. Even though
we at times might have leaders that are not just all men, what
we must do is use the means that God has set forth to change the
leadership, which in our country's case is the voting booth. But
as it relates to our responsibilities as citizens of this country,
we're to do what's right by the laws that God's placed us under
at this time. And you remember, I said earlier,
it doesn't matter what government you're placed on. It might be
a dictatorship. It might be a republic or democracy
or whatever. We are to submit to authority. And I know that kind of, the
flesh don't like that. We're still sinners. And I know
there's a lot of things I don't like about government and things
that goes on, but yet and still, we need that government. Whenever
there is abusive leaders, God is the one that will set all
things straight. He's the judge of all the earth.
Remember what we said back in verse 19 of chapter 12, it says,
vengeance is mine. I will repay, saith the Lord. We are assured that God will
repay all that is wickedly done against us. And his vengeance
will be right, and it'll be just. But if we try to take it out
a lot of time, take vengeance out or whatever, whether it be
any kind of rebellion against authority, I'm sure we're not
going to make the right decisions in a lot of these cases. But
anyway, this particular subject, as I said, sometimes it's hard
for us to accept, but this is what God's word says. And we
need, that's what we need to go by. Amen.