The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-Nine

"God's Order"

Romans 13:1-7 (Message) Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear.
   Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you'll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you're breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren't there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That's why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it's the right way to live.
   That's also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.

Another aspect of being a Christ follower is to be a good citizen. There are some things that I don't agree with that the government does, but the laws in place should be respected. God has placed order over society in the form of governing bodies. He doesn't set the policies but allows those in authority to be in their positions. Now we could get into things like He allowed people like Hitler and Stalin, but we see that He has taken them out and will deal with them eternally as He sees fit. What I want to look at is our end of the deal. How should we treat those in authority over us?

Titus 3:1-2 (Message) Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.

We are to obey God, respect the government and obey the law. In America we have the freedom to elect those in authority. We can voice our opinion and vote. We have the freedom to worship as we desire and speak our minds. This is a great blessing from the hand of God and we should be thankful for our freedom. We can stand up for what is right, according to God's will, but we have to remain good citizens and live peacefully.

1 Peter 2:13-16 (Message) Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.

Our goal is to bring glory to God. We are not to shame Him. How are we to bring glory to God? We are to be good citizens, respectful of authority and do good. The view of some Christians is one of self-righteousness. We should show the world that we are God's people, respectful, and loving. We must treat everyone with dignity no matter who they are. Our lives should be lived like this: love God, love others.

Daniel 2:20-22 (NLT) Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power.
He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.

Because we have faith that God is God and we aren't, then we must trust that He knows best. This is where we place our trust, not in government but in God. He has it all in His control even though things may not seem like it. God doesn't just sit on His throne, He is an active God. His light reveals what is hidden in His timing, we must trust Him.

Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees, a very religious order of Jews, who wanted to trap Him in His loyalties. Here's what happened:

Matthew 22:15-22 (NLT) Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
   But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
   “Caesar’s,” they replied.
   “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
    His reply amazed them, and they went away.

Let's not be hypocrites. God has appointed those in authority over us. We have taxes to pay and laws to abide by. We may not agree with them, but this world is our temporary home. This situation we live in is not permanant. That's not to say we shouldn't speak up when an injustice is done, but our focus should be on Jesus and that ultimately He will come again and set up His government where He is the ultimate authority, ruling in peace and justice.

Isaiah 9:5-7a (NLT) For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end.

So while we are on this earth we must be good, law-abiding, peaceful citizens. This is all to bring glory to God. Trust God because He knows best. We are in this thing together and our true King will eventually erase all other authorities, replace them with Himself and be the only Authority on earth. We who follow Christ, live under His authority now and that, my friend, is Hope.