Christian Civics
Sermon Notes from Romans 13
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Introduction
I’ve been beginning these messages from Romans with a summary.
The Good News is God’s Power to Save Everyone.
Everyone needs saving - all have sinned.
We cannot overcome the power of sin on our own.
Salvation is a matter of God’s grace, accessed by faith/trust.
When we trust, God credits us with righteousness.
Only the power of grace can overcome the power of sin.
Despite the war within, we are more than conquerors & remain uncondemned because of Jesus Christ.
God has a plan to save every believer - don’t reject it!
Through God’s work in our lives, we are called to live a transformed life of love and attitude toward one another.
When I planned out this series, I did not do so with an eye on our civic events - so the fact that this message falls just two days before a Presidential election must be God’s work! (2024)
As we approach what can be a touchy subject these days…
I do not intend to tell you who to cast your vote for
I do not intend to tell you which party is more godly
I do not intend to examine the past four years or speculate on the next four years.
Paul ends chapter 12 with this admonition: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This is his way of opening the door to a subject that Christians struggle with - in Rome and in the USA! How do citizens of heaven live as citizens on earth? (Merida) I will invite you to the Christian perspective as presented by Paul to the Roman church with three duties for the transformed believer.
1. THE CHRISTIAN’S DUTY TO GOVERNMENT: OBEY (Romans 13:1-6)
Obey because God establishes authority. (1 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.) Barclay wrote, “Paul saw in the state an instrument in the hand of God, preserving the world from chaos.” Achtemeier notes that “while governing authorities are God’s servants for order, and are hence to be obeyed, the obedience is not dependent on the governing authorities either acknowledging or even being aware of that fact.”
Obey because disobedience brings about judgment (2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.) Merida: We must remember that Paul was not writing in a perfect political climate. Nero was reigning. Nero was somewhat sane early in his career, but he grew progressively more maniacal.
Obey because the government serves to restrain evil. (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.) David Lipscomb maintained that the laws of the land were really just for the unchurched because Christians already know how to act as they follow Christ.
Obey because the government serves to punish wrongdoers (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.)
Obey because it builds the conscience (5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.) Achtemeier noted that “Obedience to civil authority is a Christian duty, but it is to be exercised within the framework of the Christians’ more far-reaching commitment of obedience to God.”
Obey because the government has the right to collect taxes (6-7 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.)
A wealthy but eccentric man called his preacher, doctor, and politician friend to his deathbed. He told them he believed you can take your money with you when you die. “I’m taking mine!” He gave each of them an envelope and explained that each one contained $30,000. They were to place the envelope in his casket when they walked by to pay their respects. All three men did what they were asked to do. After the funeral, though, the preacher’s conscience got the best of him and he made a confession to the doctor and politician. The minister said, “I needed the money for the church, so I took $10,000 and placed $20,000 into the casket.” The doctor then admitted to taking $20,000 for come costs he had incurred at his clinic. Then the politician was appalled at their dishonesty. He pridefully said, “I’m ashamed of your gentleman. I threw in a check for the full amount.”
This is Paul’s general attitude toward government that may not consider some related issues.
It does not answer all of our questions related to the state, but it does give general truths.
God is always first, above government as well. (Acts 5:29 “We must obey God rather than human beings!”)
Even if the government is not everything you think it ought to be, we do have an explicit example.
Jesus entered into a world of slavery, of absolute rulers, no democracy, high taxes, and even persecution. His solution? (Matthew 22:21b "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”)
Rubel Shelly: Until we experience a spiritual renewal, all our political programs will be stop gap, second or third best options at best. ..Jesus Christ is the only leader who merits our unrestrained confidence.
2. THE CHRISTIAN’S DUTY TO NEIGHBOR (13:8-10)
The duty to pay our debts (8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.) The one debt every Christian has is to love - the greatest command. This is a permanent debt.
The duty to live a moral life of love (9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”) Help your neighbor see a better way of living; point to Christ!
The duty to obey God above all. (10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.)
If love is the mainspring of a man’s heart, if his whole life is dominated by love for God and love for his fellow men, he needs no other law. - William Barclay
3. THE CHRISTIAN’S DUTY TO CHRIST (13:11-14)
Stay awake! (11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.)
Stay strong! (12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.) The Christian armor is described in Ephesians 6 and it instructs us of the seriousness of being prepared for spiritual war!
Stay Christlike! (13-14 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.)
*Be a source of light, not darkness. “As in the daytime” means living as if all we do were public knowledge, not needing to hide various components of our lives.
*Clothe yourself with Christ.
*Make no provision for the flesh. Instead, direct your mind to the promises of God in Scripture. Direct your mind to the beauty of Christ! Direct your mind to the glory that is to come. One day soon he will come and eradicate the world of sin once and for all and we will no longer wrestle in these bodies of flesh. Live this day in view of that day! (Merida)
Conclusion
R. C. Bell wrote, “Romans 13, ‘The Christian Citizen's Chapter,’ teaches three practical lessons, namely: Christians must be loyal to their government (13:1-7), just in their dealings with men (13:8-10), and clean in their personal lives (13:11-14).”
When it comes to government, we have strong opinions.
“Many professing Christians essentially lose their minds when it comes to politics. They fail to see the God who is over the government. Should we engage in the political process? Yes, of course. Speak truth to power? Yes, when possible. But freak out or make an idol out of a party or a system? No way.” - Tony Merida
Our ultimate allegiance is to King Jesus. Danny Akin writes: “So, as a devoted follower of Jesus, I will say ‘yes’ to obeying the government and paying taxes to Caesar, but I will say ‘no’ to disobeying the Word of God and worshiping a man or institution. Independence Day for the Christians is not marked by a flag. No, our independence day is Easter, marked by a cross and an empty tomb.” (Via Merida)
After election is over we can still guarantee these results:
God will still be on His throne.
Jesus will still be King of kings and Lord of lords.
The Bible will still guide our way.
The tomb will still be empty.
Jesus will still be the only way to heaven.
God will still answer prayer!
The cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.
Jesus will still save anyone who places their faith in Him.
King Jesus Reigns Everywhere and Always!
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Questions for Discussion
1. How does this chapter fit into the overall structure/theme of Romans?
2. Why do politics capture people’s attention and sometimes encourage them to feel free to express themselves in unChristian ways? How should a Christian’s expression of politics be different from the world around them?
3. How seriously do we take this admonition to obey the government? Why should we submit to the governing authorities?
4. Is your first instinct to criticize civil leaders or to pray for them? Read the following verses to add to our discussion of the Christian and government: 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13
5. In regards to civil obedience, Paul is not envisioning Islamic settings where Christian witness may be declared illegal. In Communist China there are prohibitions against public worship and Christian instruction of your own children. How do the instructions of this chapter engage settings such as this? Is anarchy ever approved for the Christian?
6. Why is it important for us to live in light of the coming day of the Lord? What practical difference could it make in your day-to-day life?
7. Verse 14 offers two perspectives of our approach to life: “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” How would you help a new Christian to understand these?
8. What else did you want to talk about today?
Resources
Achtemeier, Paul J. Interpretation Series: Romans. John Knox Press, 1985.
Barclay, Williams. Daily Study Bible: Romans. Revised Ed. Westminster Press, 1975.
Bell, R. C. Studies in Romans. Firm Foundation Publishing House, 1957
Merida, Tony. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Romans. Holman, 2021.
Yarbrough, Robert W. ESV Expository Commentary: Volume X Romans - Galatians. Crossway, 2020.
Next week: Romans 14-15
Very much appreciate your teaching, emphasizing that Jesus is King! no matter where we are, no matter what the circumstance, and no matter who is president.