[𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘰. 𝘞𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘡𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦, “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴”, 𝘣𝘺 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘥. 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘗𝘢𝘶𝘭’𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘦.]

William MacDonald introduced our new lesson this way (p 127):

“What we read in chapter 13 follows right on from chapter 12 in which Paul began to delineate the duties of Christians.  In verse 1 he begins a section teaching that those who have been justified by faith are obligated to be subject to human government.  

GOD instituted human government and no government exists apart from His will.  This does not mean that He approves of all that human rulers do.  He certainly does not approve of corruption, brutality and tyranny.  Believers can live victoriously in a democracy, a constitutional monarchy, or even a totalitarian regime.  No human government is perfect.  The only ideal government is a beneficent monarchy with the LORD JESUS CHRIST as King.”

It was so interesting to read this comment from Mr. MacDonald while also completing a lesson this week in our BSF study of Revelation.  Our discussion group spent some time chatting about chapter 20 and what it might be like for CHRIST to reign on the earth for 1000 years, unhindered by deception and interference from the enemy, who will be bound during that time.

To date, we have never witnessed a human ruler who has reigned and judged all things with complete righteousness.  What would it be like if all matters were addressed and settled correctly, honestly, justly?  

Although no analogy is adequate, we imagined the best boss we have ever worked for – one that carried themselves with integrity and honesty, expecting the highest standards from the whole team.  That person was trustworthy and commanded respect, motivated us to give our best effort, and fostered a spirit of unity and cooperation within the team.  We were inspired to strive for a higher level of excellence and compelled to guard the healthy and productive work environment that person instilled and maintained.

Great leadership fosters the best response from us.  As I turned my attention back to this passage in Romans 13, I couldn’t help but wonder if Paul was challenging believers to give our very best to human government, even when they fall short of what we might consider “great leadership”, as if we were serving the LORD instead? 

Our human government leaders may not command the same level of respect or motivate the same level of commitment to excellence, but GOD still asks us to offer our best, recognizing that any human authority has been placed by His sovereign will.  A familiar verse in Colossians came to mind:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters … it is the LORD CHRIST you are serving” (Colossian 3:23-24, NIV).

How, exactly, was Paul teaching Roman believers to view human government?  In what practical ways did “working for the LORD” translate to their responsibilities as citizens of an earthly city?  Paul challenged believers to:

• submit to governing authorities (13:1)
• acknowledge authorities as placed by GOD (13:1)
• choose to do what is right (13:3)
• live without fear of punishment, with a clear conscience (13:5)
• pay taxes and fees (government workers need to be paid) (13:6-7)
• give respect and honor to those in authority (13:7)

Mr. MacDonald added an important clarification (p 128):

“A Christian is not required to obey [lawful authority] if the government orders him to sin or to compromise his loyalty to the LORD JESUS CHRIST (Acts 5:29).  No government has a right to command a person’s conscience.  So, there are times when a believer must, by obeying GOD, incur the wrath of man.  In such cases he must be prepared to pay the penalty without undue complaint.”

Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came to mind as a powerful example of the willingness to accept any earthly repercussions for defying human government when it commanded them to disobey GOD:

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the GOD whom we serve is able to save us.  He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.  But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up. …

Praise to the GOD of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!  He sent His angel to rescue His servants who trusted in Him.  They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own GOD.”  (Daniel 3:16-18, 28)

I appreciated the Gospel Coalition’s summary of this section of Romans 13:

“If we are not being induced to sin by the law of our land, we are tasked with being in subjection (13:5), to pay what is owed (13:7), and to respect and honor authorities (13:7).  This is very hard to do in contemporary political climates, but it was just as hard to do in Paul’s day, especially as the Roman government increasingly persecuted JESUS’ church throughout the first two centuries of the church’s existence.  The witness of the early church regarding governmental authorities is instructive and enlightening.  It is a great cross-centered challenge to the church today.”

I was especially touched by the comment that the church’s response to governmental authority serves as a witness to others!  Whether we honor, respect, and submit to those authorities as unto the LORD (regardless of their faithfulness to honor, protect, or provide for us in return) or we are called to stand against orders that ask us to disobey GOD, our devotion to obey the LORD is a powerful witness to a watching world. 

As frail humans, these are not our innate responses.  Without the presence and enabling of GOD’s own Spirit, this view of human government would be impossible.

.   .   .

In the second half of Romans 13, Paul shifted his focus to on one, all-encompassing command from GOD, echoed in the words of the LORD JESUS:

“The commandments are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of GOD’s law.” (13:9-10) ~ “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

As citizens of a heavenly city who have also been purposely placed in earthly communities, Paul challenged believers to echo the heart of our Savior – in all things and above all things, to love one another.

Mr. MacDonald described Paul’s appeal in this thought-provoking way (p 130):

“Love found its perfect expression on earth in the Person of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  Our love to GOD manifests itself in obedience to His commandments.  In verse 9 the apostle singles out those commandments that forbid acts of “un-love” against one’s neighbor.  They are the commandments against adultery, murder, theft, perjury, and coveting.  

Love doesn’t exploit another’s body; immorality does.  Love doesn’t take another person’s life; murder does.  Love doesn’t steal another person’s property; theft does.  Love doesn’t deny justice to others; false witness does.  Love doesn’t entertain wrong desires for another person’s possessions; coveting does.  

They all boil down to the same dictum: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Treat him or her, adult or child, with the same affection, consideration, and kindness that you treat yourself.  Love never seeks to harm another (13:10).  Rather, it actively seeks the welfare and honor of all.”  

.   .   .

In the final verses on chapter 13, Paul reminded the Roman believers how important it was to recognize the brevity of their earthly lives.  Those days of opportunity to live for the LORD and to be a witness for Him should not be valued lightly.  Instead, Paul challenged believers, “because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see … clothe yourself with the presence of the LORD JESUS CHRIST” (13:13-14).

Mr. MacDonald summed up this section beautifully (p 131):

“The rest of the chapter (13:11-14) encourages a life of spiritual alertness and moral purity.  The time is short.  The dispensation of grace is drawing to a close.  The lateness of the hour demands that all lethargy and inactivity be put away.  The Savior is coming to take us to the Father’s house.  This present age is like a night of sin that has just about run its course (13:12).  The day of eternal glory is about to dawn for believers.  

This means that we should throw off all the filthy garments of worldliness – that is, everything that is associated with unrighteousness and evil.  We should put on the armor of light, which means the protective covering of a holy life.  Since we are children of the day, we should walk as sons of light.  

The best policy we can follow is, first of all, to put on the LORD JESUS CHRIST (13:14).  This means that we should adopt His whole lifestyle, live as He lived, accepting Him as our Guide and Example.”

There are steep challenges in this chapter: to submit to human authority as unto the LORD (our only righteous King), to love like He loves, and to live like JESUS lived.   

May His Spirit continue to transform us as we endeavor to rightly reflect the heart and purposes of GOD while we travel this earthly scene.

As Christine Cane once said, when the time comes for the LORD to call us Home, may we be confident that we have done everything He placed us on earth to do and that we are bringing Home with us everyone we can.

𝘓𝘐𝘝𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘍𝘖𝘙 𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚⁣
(𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘖. 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘮, 𝟷𝟿𝟷𝟽)⁣
⁣
𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦,⁣
𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰,⁣
𝘠𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘥-𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 –⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦.⁣
⁣
𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦,⁣
𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘷’𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 –⁣
𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭,⁣
𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘮 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘭.⁣
⁣
𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦,⁣
𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦,⁣
𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘮,⁣
𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘮.

RESOURCES:

“The Letter to the ROMANS,” by William MacDonald, Emmaus Worldwide, 2020, Revised 2023.

The Bible Project, video summary of the book of Romans, Parts 1 & 2.

https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/romans-1-4/

https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/romans-5-16/

“Knowing the Bible: Romans”, by Jared C. Wilson, The Gospel Coalition,  thegospelcoalition.org .