Callie and I are thinking devotionally this summer in Romans. We are plodding through (and occasionally hopping around) in this letter of Paul. On July 4, I jumped from the assigned text in Romans, chapter 8, and took us to this as the ext for the day. In the luck of the draw, it has surfaced again as the assigned text for July 18. So, let’s read it again:
Romans 13:1-7
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval, 4 for it is God’s agent for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the agent of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s agents, busy with this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
From the time of Jesus forward, Christians have found themselves living as groups of people in society. Sometimes they have been in step with the culture. Often times, they have been called to be critics of the status quo and civil authorities. Even on the time of Paul, the Roman government which occupied the Holy Land was a major concern for the church of Jesus Christ. But Paul also knew about respect, and the sovereignty of God. (Please note, Paul wrote this long before Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and any Kennedy, Reagan, Lincoln, or Washington was ever thought of. The Caesars were an interesting lot.)
As Christians we might want to join Paul in praying for those who hold office. God worked wonders through King David, and you know his story …..
Prayer
Great God of the Universe, I thank you for those who serve so that I might be able to enjoy this land where I live. Guide those who govern. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.