Read: Romans 13:3-6
“Why?” This seems always to be one of the most important questions we can ask in our lives. The toddler uses this question to figure out why the world works in the way it does, often to the exasperation of their parents. The teenager uses this question to understand who they are and why they do the things they do. The adult uses this question to evaluate their own actions and the actions of others. Christians use this question to grow in their understanding of God and how He has made the universe to operate. When we stop asking this simple question things begin to go downhill.
So why do we submit to rulers and authorities? Why should we obey those in authority over us? Why should we follow the rules and regulations set down by those who govern us? Paul has just established that we should submit ourselves to the governing authorities. Paul gives us three reasons why. The first we looked at yesterday: because God is the one who has established the governing authorities. If we rebel against them we are essentially rebelling against God. Here in this passage Paul gives us two more reasons.
Firstly, we are to obey the governing authorities so that we will not have to fear punishment and retribution. The general principle by which authorities and governments operate is that those who do right are commended whereas those who do wrong are punished for their actions. This principle and authority is given to the governing authorities by God. Notice verse 4. The ruler is God’s servant to reward good and he is an agent of wrath to bring God’s punishment on the
But avoiding punishment is not the only reason to obey the authorities. Notice the final reason that Paul gives is hidden in the second part of verse 5. We are to submit to the authorities because of conscience. God has instituted what is right and wrong and has declared it to us through His word. By the work of His spirit in our hearts and lives He is bringing our thinking, our consciences and our actions in line with His will for our lives. Part of this will is that we obey the governing authorities and systems that He has established in the world. If we disobey them we are disobeying the commands of God Himself and this should play on our consciences. We obey the government because God has commanded us to and He is our supreme authority.
Paul applies these concepts to paying taxes. We pay taxes in order to obey the government and because God has set them aside to spend their full time governing and ruling. We are to provide for their needs and for the needs of all people by paying taxes and contributing to the function of our government.
Even if no other reason was given the fact that God has commanded we obey those who rule over us is enough for us to obey. Let us submit willingly to God by submitting to those who rule over us.
Prayer:
Use the Bible passage from today and the reading notes to write down your prayer points before you pray.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would help you to submit to those in authority and to obey the laws and regulations given by the government. Pray that He would be working through the government to establish His purposes, to restrain sin and to build up His people.
¥ Pray for those Christians around the world who are living under ungodly and violent governments. Pray that they would be encouraged and strengthened in their faith. Pray that they would be bold in their preaching of the gospel and that God would protect them and build His church.
There are many passages in the Bible that show that God establishes authorities and brings them down according to His plan. One amazing example is of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:28-37. What does this passage teach about God’s sovereignty?
1. Why do you think Paul gives three reasons why believers should obey the government instead of simply commanding them to submit and moving on?
2. How would you explain these reasons to someone in your own words?
Intro: Sometimes we might want to rebel against people that God has put in authority over us.
Share: A time when you did the wrong thing and didn’t do what someone in authority told you to do. What happened?
Read: Romans 13:2 Paul tells us that we should obey those in authority because God has given them authority over us. When we are rebelling against them we are actually rebelling against God. What do you think we should do when we want to do the wrong thing? Who could we ask for help? What should we do if we have done something wrong?
Pray Together: Pray that God would help us obey those in authority.
Read: Romans 13:2 Paul tells us that we should obey those in authority because God has given them authority over us. When we are rebelling against them we are actually rebelling against God. What do you think we should do when we want to do the wrong thing? Who could we ask for help? What should we do if we have done something wrong?
Pray Together: Pray that God would help us obey those in authority.
Intro: Sometimes we might want to rebel against people that God has put in authority over us.
Share: A time when you did the wrong thing and didn’t do what someone in authority told you to do. What happened?
Read: Romans 13:2 Paul tells us that we should obey those in authority because God has given them authority over us. When we are rebelling against them we are actually rebelling against God. What do you think we should do when we want to do the wrong thing? Who could we ask for help? What should we do if we have done something wrong?
Pray Together: Pray that God would help us obey those in authority.
Read: Romans 13:2 Paul tells us that we should obey those in authority because God has given them authority over us. When we are rebelling against them we are actually rebelling against God. What do you think we should do when we want to do the wrong thing? Who could we ask for help? What should we do if we have done something wrong?
Pray Together: Pray that God would help us obey those in authority.
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