Tag: Romans 13:1-5
Day 2–Servants of God
Scripture reading for March 17: Romans 13:1-5 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrong-doer.”
Most first responders, even volunteers, are a part of the government provided to serve and protect the people under their jurisdiction. The fire departments, sheriff departments, municipal police, emergency medical teams, and emergency management are all there as servants. And God’s Word declares that God has really appointed them! God instructs the people to be subject to them and respect them as His servants. God has provided them to watch over the people and reward and protect those who do good and to apprehend and punish those doing harm and evil. God even authorizes the use of deadly force. There are some instances where that is necessary to protect the innocent and stop evil from being perpetrated.
God is a God of order and justice. He is a lawgiver Who demands obedience and lists the rewards for obedience and the consequences of disobedience. He gives each person a free will to choose and encourages them to obey with promised blessings. He warns of curses overtaking those who live in rebellion or disobedience. (Deuteronomy 28) All those in authority are appointed by God and will ultimately answer to God for their execution of their job. God demands impartiality and justice because those in leadership reflect His rule.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing justice and righteousness reflected in Your order in this universe. Thank You for placing those in authority to carry out Your Word and laws. As one under Your authority, help me to reflect Your holiness and justice and compassion to this world. Amen.
Living as Servants of God
Scripture reading for November 10: 1 Peter 2
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants be subject to you masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.” 1 Peter 2:13-19
Peter was writing to a suffering church that was enduring persecution to help them function in a wicked culture. Following the resurrection, he was shown by Jesus how he would suffer and how he would die. (John 21:18-19) Peter emphasized that we should not suffer as a result of our own rebellion to the government or disrespect for human authorities. Here he emphasized voluntary submission, even to a wicked Gentile emperor. Governors who served under the emperor were also to be honored and respected in that they served to punish the evil-doers and encourage the upright. (Romans 13:1-5) All authority is established by God and answers to Him.
Believers have been set free from sin and it’s penalty, but should not use their new-found freedom as a license to continue in sin. They are servants of God and should reflect their Master to those in the world. Each person should be treated with honor as made in God’s image. Love should mark our every action and attitude, reflecting God the Father, who is Love! We should always honor God in all we do as well as the emperor and governors appointed by Him. If we serve as a slave, employee, or volunteer, we should serve with a respectful attitude to all, whether they treat us respectfully or with contempt and injustice. Because we have received God’s amazing grace, we are to be gracious even as we may suffer unjustly.
How do you receive the instruction offered here by Peter on respect and submission to authority, good or unjust? What does it mean to submit to authorities and why are we to do this even to the harsh ones? Why are believers to be gracious in suffering unjustly?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for all authority that You place in this world and in my life. Help me to cheerfully submit to authority and honor them properly by respect and obedience. By the Holy Spirit, let Your grace flow in my life towards those who are evil and unjust. May your mercy lead them to repent. Amen.
Don’t resist God’s authority
Scripture reading for July 1: Romans 13
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he dos not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. Romans 13:1-5
We are born in sin. The underlying essence of sin is resistance and disobedience to rightful authority. Scripture makes it plain that all authority has been instituted by God. Authority is delegated by God to those He places in positions of authority. God ordains those in authority to protect the weak, innocent, and obedient members of society. He also empowers authority to restrain evil, rebellion and harm in those resisting authority. They are given power even to take life of certain law-breakers. Paul described this as being a servant of God’s wrath, avenging those involved in evil.
Resisting parents, teachers, law enforcement, government officials, or church leaders is resisting what has been established by God. Scripture directs believers to submit to those in authority. We are to honor and obey authority because we honor God. Those in authority are a protective covering supplied by God to the righteous, protecting them from wrong-doers. Paul clarified that we are subject to those in authority not only to avoid God’s wrath, but for conscience sake. God has placed a knowledge of right and wrong in us through conscience. We are to be at peace with God, our conscience, and authority.
What attitudes and actions display a resistance and disrespect of authority in our culture? Do you find that the view of all authority coming from God for your good is widely held by those around you? What are some ways that you might show honor to those God has placed over you?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for my rebellion against authority. I find myself justifying breaking laws, speaking evil of those in leadership I disagree with, and even resisting You and Your Word. Thank You for Your patience with me to form new respect for Your authority and those you place over me. Help me! Amen.
Authorities are God’s
Scripture reading for February 25th: Romans 13
Key Scriptures: Romans 13:1-5 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who caries out God’s wrath on the wrong-doer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”
This excellent teaching on our relationship with governing authorities is one that has need of emphasis in our time and day. God is over all authority, secular or religious, from the home to the government to the church. Believers are to submit or be subject to authority because God is over them. Rules are to be obeyed, unless they violate God’s Word. Those who disobey will be subject to punishment by the authorities and those who obey will have no need to worry or fear. It is God we are obeying and serving and we are to honor and submit to Him and His established authorities.
Romans 13:8, 10 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” . . . “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to understand and apply these truths on authority in my life as one under authority and one in authority. May Your law of love be fulfilled in and through me.
Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
Be subject to Authority!
Scripture reading for June 9th: Proverbs 11-13, Psalm 8, Romans 13
Key Scriptures: Romans 13:1-5 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good and you will receive his approval, for his is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.”
God’s Word teaches us that He alone creates authority and places people in authority to fulfill His will and purposes. When we resist authority, we are resisting God’s appointed one. God’s appointed one is there for your good and protection. If you are doing wrong, God’s authority is there to punish and restrain evil. Each person knows this because God has made it plain in their conscience. There are no excuses now and will be none when we stand before God and answer for deeds done in our body in rebellion to our conscience and His appointed authority!
Psalm 8:4-5 “. . .what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I am thankful for those in authority, believing that You have placed them there for my good and blessing. Help me to honor and obey them, teaching others through example.
Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”