Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)
In this part of the study, Paul taught on topics we all can relate to. First he taught about how we are to deal with the governing authorities. It is our civil duty to obey those in authority, For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. (Romans 13:3-4)
The apostle Peter taught this same lesson. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (I Peter 2:13-17)
Even though all authorities that exist are appointed by God, not all of them praise of those who do good. We all should want to do our civil duty by obeying those in authority, but when they try to enforce laws and rules that go against the Word of God, then morality must supersede civility. The apostle Peter also said when he and the other apostles were on trial in Jerusalem, But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men..." (Acts 5:29)
We can not go along with wrong to try and avoid conflicts, trials, troubles and tribulations. Jesus warned us of this. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Just as Jesus overcame the world, we will also. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus,... Therefore we do not lose heart. ... For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:13-18)
However, if the governing authority praise those who do good and puts fear in those who do evil, then let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:5-7)
This is simple and straight forward, "Pay your taxes!" Anyone who does not pay their taxes and tries to justify it is disobedient to the Word of God. Jesus proved this Himself. Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26)
Pay God our tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-12; II Corinthians 9:6-15); pay our taxes; and Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. (I John 4:18)
First, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) Then respect all authority because God's Wisdom says, By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. (Proverbs 8:15-16) God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. (Psalm 62:11) Next, pay taxes.
Some may feel they shouldn't have to pay taxes for whatever reason. For those, Jesus gave another example. When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go..., you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” (Matthew 17:24-27) By doing this, Jesus did the will of God; that by doing good He put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice.
Finally, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12) And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31) In other words, "Treat others the way you want to be treated!" That is love summarized. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:11-14) AMEN!
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