E-Free Church - Gaylord Campus
How many of you know that we are in an interesting election year? Join us as we look at what the bible says our response should be as Christians to governmental authority even if we don't like it, even if we didn't vote for the person who got elected. It's important that we respond biblically to whatever happens on November 8th.
Romans 13:1 NASB1995
The COMMAND (v1)
Who? Every Person
What? Be in subjection
To Whom? To the governing authorities
Why? For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God
Romans 13:2-4 NASB1995
Romans 3:5-7 NASB1995
The CONSEQUENCE (v2)
An Issue of REBELLION
Government is an institution of God
To rebel against government is to rebel against the God who established it
An Issue of RETRIBUTION
To rebel against government is to suffer the condemnation of government
Government has the right to punish evil doers and the rebellious (v4)
Even in choosing to obey God over government, we must be willing to suffer the consequences of disobedience
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace (Daniel 3)
Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den (Daniel 6)
Peter and John were thrown in jail (Acts 5) and Paul and Silas were beaten and placed in stocks (Acts 16)
The CAUSE (v3-5)
God established government as a means of restraining evil (v3)
Generally speaking, law-abiding citizens have been favorably treated by their governments and have no need to fear government (v4)
One purpose of government is to deter evil by punishing evil (v4)
Peter gives the same reasoning in 1 Peter 2:13-14
The usage of “sword” gives validity to capitol punishment
1 Peter 2:13 NASB1995
The main reason we should obey government is not fear, but our conscience, because we know it is the right thing to do (v5)
Peter teaches that we should submit to authorities “for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13)
Peter also teaches that submitting to our authorities is the “will of God” (1 Peter 2:14-15)
1 Peter 2:14-15 NASB1995
The COMPENSATION (v6-7)
The REASON for taxes (v6)
Because governing authorities are servants of God
Because governing authorities are devoted to their service
The RENDERING of taxes (v7)
The COMMAND
Render to all what is due them
Render = idea of paying back something that is owed
The CRITERIA
Tax = likened to an income or property taxCustom = a tax on all good paid to the Roman GovernorFear = idea of awe or respectHonor = high esteem that is genuine
Mark 12:14, 17 NASB1995