Romans 13: 1-7

Here are some key points to take away from this passage:

The institution of government is God’s idea: In my Bible I have highlighted the following words: God has established…established by God (1)…what God has instituted (2)…God’s servant (2 x in 4)…God’s servants (6). So government is part of God’s order for society, and therefore there is a must (1) about our submission. It is a matter of conscience (5b). Look also at all the references to authorities and authority (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6). (Warren Wiersbe has pointed out that God has established government because people are sinners and need control. As all governmental authority comes from God, we must respect the office, even when we can’t respect the conduct of an individual officer. Fear of punishment, he says, is not the highest motivation for obedience, but it beats chaos!)

God has raised up the current government in my country at this time: (In particular note Daniel 2:21) Here in the UK in 2013, this means that God, and not the democratic process,  is ultimately responsible for putting the coalition in to power. That is not to say that He is a Conservative or Lib Dem Himself, but He is in overall control of the universe and has a purpose in this particular government being in office at this moment in history. (Consider John 19:11)

We are called to be good citizens: As someone has said, being citizens of heaven must not minimise our sense of responsibility on earth. It is our Christian duty to be fine citizens. Indeed, I would say we are to be exemplary members of society. Whatever makes men good Christians makes them good citizens. Daniel Webster. We are to submit (1) and not rebel (2). Part of this submission involves the payment of taxes (6/7). It will also mean being law abiding. In particular God has instituted government for the preservation of law and order (3-5).  The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order and he uses them to do it. The Message. It will also entail praying for our leaders, including interceding for their conversion.  (1 Tim.2:1- 8)This submission doesn’t mean, however, that we can’t disagree where we believe the government is wrong, or criticise bad policy. (This wasn’t an option open to Paul’s readers living, as they did, under a dictatorship, but it is to us in our democracy.) The important thing is to do so respectfully. We show respect to all people because we have profound respect (reverence more so) for the God who made them and instituted the structures of governance in the first place.

There has been a long tradition in the church of interpreting this teaching in the following way: We will obey men as far as we can and for as long as we can, until there comes a clash (if there does) with the Law of God. There may come a point (as there did for the first Christians) where we have to say that we must obey God rather than men.

Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. The Message.