Bible Studies

Reasonable Service in Our Civil Responsibilities

by Henry Jaegers
02/27/25
For Sale
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Studies in the Book of Romans

By Henry Jaegers

Chapter 13

Reasonable Service in Our Civil Responsibilities

 The Responsibility of Submission (Verses 1 through 5)

  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.   Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

 In considering this matter of "Reasonable Service", it occurred to me that it is not restricted to our church life. Being a Christian continues wherever God chooses to place us. And what about submitting to higher authority? What does this mean, and how far must we take it? What about joining protest movements? Shouldn't Christians participate in such movements, especially when they are against ungodly governments? Shouldn't Christians join in protesting these?

 It may be that there are Christians who entertain such thoughts and ideas. This chapter is written with Christians in mind. How can we submit to such oppressive societies? There may be some things that a Christian is forced to do that violate their convictions. How do we handle this problem?

 When I first began thinking about writing a study in Romans, all of these thoughts came to my mind. Then, it seems like out of the blue, the thought came to me: What about the highest authority? How come Paulk did not mention this? Is there an authority higher than human governments to which a Christian belongs?

 Since we are under a higher authority than the highest human authority, what does he have to say to us? Is it possible that we need to ask this question? Right before us is an injunction from God, and His first word to us is, " Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers." "

 We can submit because we are God's servants, and that power within us anoints us to perform such things regardless of how we think or feel about it.

 Now, we are given several reasons why we are to do so. Consider why God tells us this. First, all powers that be are allowed by God to be so. And there are reasons why evil governments exist. We do not know, but God fully knows. Maybe it is to teach us how to be humble. We might not think that is a problem with us, but maybe God doesn't agree. Second. Maybe God is using these wicked nations to break a stubborn and hard-hearted society as He did to Israel and Judah through the nations of Assyria and Babylon. There are many varying reasons why God allows these things to happen. And he does not have to answer due to our lack of understanding. Sometimes (May I say often), we do not know. But we know that God says that we ought to be subject unto them as we live in a very rebellious society where "Every man does what is right in His own eyes because they operate with no standard of what is right or wrong. It is refreshing when someone comes into authority and puts down this rebellion.

 Considering this, submitting to any authority is certainly a reason to be thankful, as we view it as a gift from God.

 Another reason, which is not stated but obvious, is our responsibility. As much as is in us, we are to live peaceably with all men. God's highest ideal is that we are "peacemakers." This is evidence that we are under the control of the Prince of Peace. Government officials have to deal harshly with troublemakers. We must present to the world that we are different kinds of people, and being in subjection to God is the most important step toward being a servant to others.

 The Extent of Our Submission (Verses 6 and 7)

  For this cause, pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, continually attending upon this very thing. Render, therefore, to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

 The question arises, how far are we to go in this matter of submitting to the government? It seems like paying taxes is something to be avoided. After all, the money I make belongs to me. Why should I give it away to all of these political hustlers? I work hard for my money, so why shouldn’t I be able to keep it all for myself? Of course, life doesn't work that way. As well as keeping everything for myself, we are always eager to have something as a government gift (that we did not earn), and we sometimes feel that they owe it to us for being such good citizens. And so goes this matter of sin. We are always intent on satisfying ourselves regardless of what it costs everyone else.

 And then we wonder why controls are needed over us. If we have clean water to drink and a safe neighborhood, why do we need anything else? We take what is supplied for us for granted, never considering that if it were not for police protection, emergency care, and good roads to walk and drive on, what would our selfish desires produce? We sometimes forget that it costs someone something for us to enjoy the good things that God supplies. And that thing that we think is owed to us must come from somewhere with all the blessings of this life; we need to recognize that they come from God. And is it possible that God has provided authority over us as a gift from Him as well?

 Then we reason that these corrupt politicians need something done to them. Did you know that God knows about them also, and they are under His control (although it sometimes seems they are ignorant of this matter)? Yes, there are a lot of things about those to whom we are commanded to pay honor. Consider this: Those placed in office are not always safe. They often come under the wrath of men when some little thing that escapes their attention is overlooked. They are public servants but have the same sinful and selfish desires that we do. They take risks daily to serve us, receiving curses rather than blessings.

 As followers of Christ, we are called to be different and to honor those who choose to serve us at great cost to themselves. To these public servants, they can only find peace in those who obey God by honoring them. And who knows if it is through these God-honoring people that they may be persuaded to embrace this God that the Christians reveal through their submissive conduct?

 The Character of our Submission (Verses 8 through 10)

   Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandments, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

 Perhaps we can summarize everything these verses tell us by rendering it, "Owe no man anything but Love." Whenever we owe any man anything, we become his slave. And how does that happen? It is because we are slaves to our lusts and desires. You see, selfishness has its consequences. When we cannot control our desires for pleasure, treasure, and power, we eventually expend what we have to satisfy these things, and in order to do so, we must take out loans or borrow from others. Our slavery comes from loving ourselves to the point where we lose control. We are all weak beings born with a corrupt human nature, and sometimes, our selfish desires are more than we can handle. On the other hand, love is exactly the opposite of selfishness. And do you wonder why Paul quotes these ten commandments? It is a reminder of why these commandments were given in the first place: To curb what we are by nature. And do you wonder why love is the fulfillment of the law? Because it is void of selfish desires. Its desire also is to give. Selfishness is always the desire to get. And sometimes, we will, at any cost, pursue after that.

 But love is not something that comes naturally. It is supernatural, and it reflects in the ones who love the Character of God. Do you remember Paul's earlier words when he claimed his debt in proclaiming the Gospel? But I am sure his debt was due to his love. He was not in debt to sin and selfishness but was in a debt of gratitude to God and a debt of love to the lost world; for this, he became separated unto the Gospel of God.

 When addressing the Galatian Christians, Paul made an interesting statement concerning the fruit of the Spirit.  He said the fruit of the Spirit is love. Notice that he did not say what the fruits of the Spirit are. He said that concerning the "works of the flesh." He said the fruit of the Spirit is love. Why did he put it that way? Because he presented the fruit like a cluster of grapes. The cluster is one, but the individual fruits are a part of the cluster. These particular fruits are all manifestations of love. For instance, joy is love's expression, peace is love's confidence, kindness is love's habit, etc. The manifestation of this fruit is evidence of a Spirit-filled life.

 So, does it all make sense when we say, "Owe no one anything but love"?

 The Reason for Our Submission (Verses  11 through14)

   And that, knowing the time, it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

 I am glad that Paul followed his admonitions with a reason why we should be diligent in our earthly pilgrimage. We are children of the day. We belong to a kingdom of light, and our life should be reflected by light, not darkness. Following up on what we stated previously, we are of a different kingdom and should reflect these qualities. So, the first reason is there is work to do. Then, He states that the day is at hand. What day is that? It refers to the day when Christ shall return. We are told that He will come as a thief at night. That means that we should be prepared.  It is like a warning that there is a thief in the neighborhood, and we should be ready when he comes by having our doors locked. We are warned that He is coming, and we should be prepared, not like the foolish virgins who did not consider that their oil would eventually run out.  We should consider that it might come today because Jesus did not tell us the time. We are to be faithful every day and beware of being caught up in things that hinder our readiness.

 We must rid ourselves of that which will enslave us, and I believe these closing words are appropriate. In our preparation, we are to avoid anything that would lead us to fulfill the desires of the flesh. That means giving attention to what we see, what we hear, and what we say. It means that we should exercise discernment in everything as we await the arrival of our Lord.