Romans 13.1-10 Governing Authorities

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. ...For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. ...Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. ...Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:1‭-10 NASB

Let's take a look at the historical context of the book of Romans. Nero was the emperor of Rome. Religious persecution was not only tolerated under Roman rule, it was often instigated by the government. Only recently, under the rule of Claudius, all of the Jews, whether Christian or non-Christian, were expelled from Rome. They were only recently allowed to return after the death of Claudius.

Paul suffered many persecutions, not just from religious leaders of the Jews, but from the local Roman governments. Roman justice was sadistic. Punishments included floggings, beheadings and crucifixions.

It was into this environment that Paul said, "Be in subjection to the governing authorities." In verse 2 he says, "Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."

Having just spent several chapters telling us to live by faith and not by the law, Paul is now essentially telling us to obey the law. This is not a contradiction. We cannot please God through works of the law, but we are to live our lives in peace by obeying the law of the land.

You may or may not like particular political leaders. Whether you agree with them or not, God wants you to honor them for the office they hold. After all, "there is no authority except from God."

In the United States, we have the freedom to speak our mind if we disagree with our leaders. I say, express your opinion respectfully. Name calling and belittling those with whom you disagree will not win your argument. Rather, it makes you appear to be both arrogant and ignorant.

We also have the right to vote. A vote for a righteous candidate makes an eloquent statement.

Keep in mind that there are many parts of the world where people don't have these rights. Speaking against certain governments is considered treason, and is punished by imprisonment. In countries where dictators rule, the dictator's word is law, and failure to obey that law can have dire consequences. Still, we are told be be subject to government authorities.

Here in the United States we are seeing laws pass that some consider hard to follow. For example, non-discriminatory laws have passed that require Christian service business to serve homosexual couples, even though we believe that homosexuality is a sin. We, of course, rise up in indignation at this violation of our conscience. We try to explain that we don't hate the sinner, we hate the sin. But the world can't see the distinction. All they see is a self-righteous church that is rejecting them. Think for a moment - who did Jesus sit and eat with (Matthew 9:10)?

I agree that Christians are being discriminated against in such laws. It seems the feelings and rights of Christians are disregarded for the sake of others. To put it bluntly: suck it up! Consorting with people who make you uncomfortable is not the same as denying Christ. "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?" [1 Corinthians 5:9-12]

We who are Christians have no business judging the people of the world. We will not win them to Christ by condemning them, but by loving them the way they are.

Let me ask: did you have to change and become a righteous person before you came to Christ? No! Of course not. Why then, do we expect sinners to come to Christ by distancing ourselves from them, and telling them they have to straighten out. If we love them and associate with them, we may be able to introduce them to Jesus. Then we can let the Holy Spirit teach them to be the person He wants them to be, just as he is teaching me and you.