Today is the end of our third week studying the Book of Romans with Hellomornings. Thanks for joining me here.
The Scripture reading for today is Romans 13: 1 - 7 ...
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
In this passage, Paul teaches the Believers the proper attitude to governing authorities, and to our civic rights and duties.
Paul is comforted by the fact that, although he has been very poorly treated by both the political and religious leaders of his day, everything he has experienced "came from God’s hands and was under His authority" (Cheli Sigler) - see verse 1.
This same thought should give us encouragement as Believers today. Although many of us live in nations where corruption and crime seem to have the upper hand over our governments, the Word still tells us to humbly subject ourselves to the ruling authorities (provided their laws do mot contravene God’s moral law).
Paul states this in verses 6 - 7: "Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority."
The reason why the state of our politicians and municipalities shouldn't cause us to despair or stir us to disobedience, is that "all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God" (Romans 13: 1b).
He reigns supreme, no matter who leads your local and national government.
And the best thing wecan do in the face of poor or corrupt leadership is pray: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people —  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2: 1 - 2).