Subject to a higher power

Ro 13: 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God

Let “every soul” refers to “all of you” . . . “to be subject unto the higher powers” refers to how we ALL have “the responsibility” to submit to

or to be obedient to “the higher powers”.  The higher power referred to here indicates those in positions of “authority” in our government.

For there is no power – there is no government – there is no magistrate – there is no delegated authority this is not “determined” or arranged “beforehand” by God.

When I read this verse I am reminded of the Israelites and the pharaoh that held them captive in cruel Egyptian bondage . . .

The Pharaoh during this period of time was not a good man . . . and he used his authority as the head of the Egyptian government – not to help the nation of Israel – but to instead persecute her . . . But in the face of this

persecution - God’s people were NOT encouraged to “rise up” and overthrow the Pharaoh . . . however they were encouraged (in the midst of their hour of need) to submit themselves unto God and to wait upon His will to be accomplished.

Ex 9:  13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

The world has always sought to hinder the proper worship of God’s people . . . and such was the case in the land of Egypt with the nation of Israel . . . God’s message to Pharaoh

14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.  
15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.

If Moses had led a rebellion . . . then Moses and his army would have gotten the credit for defeating Egypt and cutting her off from the Earth instead of God getting the credit . . . You see God’s plan 

was to deliver His people . . . but God’s plan was to deliver them in such a way – that God (and not an army of men) would receive the glory for their deliverance.

16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

You see there was a divine purpose behind allowing such an evil man as Pharaoh to ascend to the throne of Egypt.

And there was also a divine plan to DELIVER those whom he persecuted . . .

Romans 13: 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth “the power” resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

In other words . . . “as Christians” we are bound by the laws of the land – so long as those laws are not contrary to the Laws of God. 

An example of this is seen in Acts 5

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God RATHER than men.

Now I understand that this passage of scripture makes reference to the authority of our government . . . and that one of our responsibilities “as Christians” – is to submit to that authority when we can do so without disobeying God . . .

Romans 13: 4 For he (referring for example to the magistrate – or the local “law officer”) is the minister of God to thee for good.

But if thou do that which is evil (if you break the law – then you should) be afraid; for he (in his position of authority) beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil (to him that doeth evil refers to those who live outside of the law . . .

5 Wherefore (because of this) ye must needs be subject (submissive to the law) not only for wrath (not only to avoid punishment), but also for conscience sake (referring to our relationship with God).  notice the following verses

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute (taxes) also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore TO ALL their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Now at the time of this writing – the Roman government was “the power” that Paul was alluding to . . 

It is no secret that the Roman government was extremely corrupt . . . the officials were guilty of taking bribes . . . the judges were dishonest

And Jesus knew all of this when He taught His disciples to pay the taxes they owed to this corrupt government – Jesus was aware of the

greed and dishonesty of the Roman officials when he taught His disciples to pay the fines that were levied in commerce by the officials

who cheated everyone they could – Jesus taught them to be afraid to break the law . . . and Jesus taught them to respect “the

position” in their local government - even if they had lost respect for the individual holding the position . . .

The point to this teaching - is that we are to uphold “the law of the land” until it comes in direct conflict with the law of God . . . The law is not perfect . . . but to live without any laws

at all (and to not have any “officials” to enforce our laws) – would simply be the end of everything that we have ever known.

I know that our own country of America is far from being perfect – and I know that many of us disagree with most of our elected officials

But God tells us to pay our taxes . . . God tells us to live and to work “within” the established system and to honor the positions of those who hold public office even when we disagree with their politics

Ro 13: 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Let all of us submit ourselves to the authority of our respective governments . . . for there is no government that has not been predetermined beforehand to exist by God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

The individual who rises up in opposition to the government actually rises up in opposition to the arrangement that God has made to establish law and order among society . . . the result of this type of opposition is what defines a person as a criminal . . .

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

There is no need to be afraid when we obey the law – but we have every reason to be afraid when we break the law . . .

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Our government is how God has arranged for us to be “taken care of” . . . this is the meaning of “the minister of God to thee for good . . .

To bear not the sword in vain simply refers to how punishment for doing wrong is not an empty promise . . .

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

If we want to avoid going to jail – then we are required to obey the law of the land . . . if we expect to have a proper relationship with God

– then we are also required to obey the law of the land . . .

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing . . . This is why we pay taxes . . .

Our tax money makes it possible for the police to keep us safe . . . our taxes pay for the emergency workers . . . who as God’s ministers attend to our needs as a society.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

As we understand that God knows that our government is not perfect – as we understand that God realizes that our government

officials have human frailties and are often greedy and abuse their power . . . in spite of all the flaws that we could name . . .

GOD is the one that has arranged all of this – and He has put it in place FOR OUR BENEFIT

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Now Paul is not teaching us – that it is a sin to borrow money . . . what he is talking about

here is that we are not to FORGET the obligations that we have toward others . . . As citizens of this country – we have certain

obligations to fulfill “as a citizen”. . . 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

 . . . As Christians – we also have certain obligations that God expects us to fulfill . . .

Matt 22: 37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

 38 This is the first and great commandment.

 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

if we live in violation of the law of the land and if we neglect our obligations as a citizen –

then we commit a sin . . . to owe no man does not refer to staying out of debt . . . to owe no man refers to how God expects us not to

forget about our obligations as citizens of the country of our birth – as well as our obligations as Christians as citizens of heaven.

. . . the laws of the land are intended to maintain peace and order in our society . . . and if we seek to destroy this peace and order – then we are putting the lives of those whom we are obligated to love – into harm’s way . . .

And if we forget our obligations as Christians (or as citizens of heaven) then we put the souls of those for whom Christ died in danger – as we

become guilty of hiding the gospel from a lost and a dying world.