Christian & The Government #

Romans 13:1-7

Introduction

There are some that would take this passage, and completely separate it from the rest of the passages. It flows very well, as the Apostle was teaching about Christians and their conduct with one another, they then move on to Christians living with lost individuals, and he now continues with the idea of Christians and the state or government.

As we have noticed, the church in Rome consisted of Jewish christians, as well as gentile christians. This teaching applies to both of them. We having a Bible, are given much light into the jewish mindset. The jews were a tough people to govern, because they would not fall in line with the government over top of them. They gave the Roman empire great amounts of trouble. Why?

Deut. 17:15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.

It was against God's law to be ruled by someone who was not Jewish! - They felt it was a sin to be ruled by other people. This is why the question, "Is is lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" (Mt 22:17) is a question.

This is a big reason they rejected Jesus, because they expected a ruler, a Jewish King, to rule over them.

There are yet other gentile christians, who would teach that they should not pay taxes, because they are citizens of God's country. - This would be other reason Paul does well to instruct the christian of their relationship to the government they live under.

I. Ordained of God (1-2) #

A. God Advocates Government (1) #

1. Inclusivity - all! #

Christians should be the best citizens of the land!
- Christians shouldn't be rebel rousers
- Christians should be involved, in government.

2. What if a country goes against God law? #

Acts 5:26-32 - Clearly as is stated there (29), "We ought to obey God rather than men."

B. God Allows rulers (Pro 21:1, Ps 75:7) #

1. God deals specially with rulers! #

Prov. 21:1 ¶ The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Sometimes God used kings and countries to punish other countries

1Pet. 2:13 ¶ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

C. God’s Against disobedience (2) #

1. Sin #

2. Damnation - punishment #

II. Obedience (3-5) #

A. Condoning Good Works (3) #

1. Laws, are made to eliminate bad #

2. Keep the law, condone the Law! (3b) #

B. Chastisement (4) #

1. Laws have punishment #

If you don’t want a ticket, don’t do the crime
If you don’t want jail time, don’t do the crime

2. Punishment is made to deter others #

Prov. 21:11 ¶ When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

C. Conscience (5) #

1Tim. 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

1Tim. 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

1Tim. 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

III. Obligation (6-7) #

Tribute – 1. an annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one prince or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty. 2. A personal contribution; as a tribute of respect.

Romans 13:1