Page 87 - Romans Student Textbook.doc

Study Section 14: Chapter 13 - Specific Applications of the Foundational
Command - Relating properly to Government authorities and to Evil

14.1 Connect

I was driving down the road the other day. In America, we have freeways where there are
at least two lanes going in the same direction, so you can easily pass someone who is going
slower than you are by moving to the left lane and going around them. The government
sets speed limits on these roads. In this case, the speed limit was 70 mph. When I set the
cruise control on 70, guess what happened? I was in the right lane and was being passed by
almost every person on the road. Many passed me going in excess of 85-90 mph. In fact, in the US, if you
drive the speed limit on most roads, you will almost get run over and people get mad at you for going so
slow. What does that tell you about the condition of the people’s hearts when they flagrantly disobey the
laws of the land?

In Chapter 13, we are told to obey the governing authorities, for they are looking out for our safety. We
need to pay our taxes and obey the laws of the land. The only exception would be if the government
made a law that implicitly disobeyed God’s laws. For example, if the government told you that you cannot
share the Gospel with another person, you would have to obey the Lord and disobey the government.
But that is normally not the case. Let’s see what God says about obedience to our governments…

14.2 Objectives
1. Students should be able to explain how a Christian is to relate to governing authorities.

2. Students should be able to explain how they are to relate to fellow image-bearers.

3. Students should be able to explain how they are to relate to sin.

14.3 The Passage: Romans 13:1-14

Every person to the governing authorities let him be submissive. For there is not authority
except under God, not the ones who are, they are by God having instituted them. So the one
who resists the authority the decrees of God they are resisting, now those who have resisted
they themselves will receive judgment. For the rulers are not a fear to good work but to evil
work. Now do you wish to not fear the authority; do what is good, and you will have praise out of them;
for a servant of God he is to you unto the good. But if you would do evil, fear; for not in vain he bears the
sword; for a servant of God he is, a punisher with wrath for the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is
necessary to submit not only because of the wrath but also on account of conscience. For because of this
also pay taxes; for servants of God they are unto the same thing devoted. Give over to all what is owed; to
the revenue the revenue, to the tax the tax, to the respect the respect, to the honor the honor.

Since God is the one who appoints the civil authorities as servants who are to do good they and their laws
must be obeyed.

Owe no one anything except to love another; for the one who loves the other law has fulfilled. For the “do
not commit adultery,” “do not murder,” “do not steal,” “do not covet,” also whatever other command are
summed up in, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love to the neighbor does not work evil, therefore the
fulfillment of law is love.

Your only debt should be to love one another.

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