Let Every Soul Be Subject Copy link

Father, we thank you that this morning you have invited us to open the Word of God. And we thank you that you have placed us, in our culture today, under our government today, into a circumstance where we need to open your Word, and hear your will, and submit ourselves to your commands. So Father, open our minds to Your truth, bend our wills to Your purposes; through your Spirit, illumine our hearts with Your Word and with your Son Jesus, for we ask it in His name, our Lord Jesus Christ,

LET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT

Open your Bibles if you would please to Romans 13 verse 1. We live in interesting times; and getting more interesting by the day. We can rightly lament the downward spiral of our culture, reflected by the unrighteous direction, and unconstitutional decisions, of our government. I know it could be worse, far worse, but just for starters, the sins of legalized abortion and homosexual “marriage” certainly do mean that things are bad, and are likely to get worse. So, I’ve begun to notice calls from some fellow Christians that we should be ready to take up arms to defend We The People – like it’s 1776 all over again. And it’s a tempting thought, oh yes it is: defending righteousness against evil, one bullet at a time.

However, while we do lament our increasingly ungodly government, at the same time, as believers in the sovereignty of God, and as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can understand that what’s happening in our nation can only be happening for our good, and for His glory. We can know that our Lord has ordained it for His plan and purpose. Whatever His plan and purpose may be, up to and including a persecuted church made up of those who do not love our lives even unto death, Revelation 12:11. In direct contrast to the present lethargic, half-hearted, lukewarm, American church.

We just read Daniel 4, “that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” So we can know that anything and everything that our government might soon be able to throw at the church is designed by God and is therefore something that we can endure for righteousness’ sake. And in this, 1 Peter 1:6, we “greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, [we] have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of [our] faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
What does this have to do with our study of the book of Romans? Well, simply that in Romans 12 through 16, Paul is showing us that the mercies of God in Christ toward sinners, that our justification by faith alone affects every aspect of our lives, affects every relationship in our lives. Our relationship with God, to whom we are to offer up our bodies as living sacrifices. Our relationship with ourselves, of whom we are no longer to think more highly than we ought. Our relationship with our brothers and sisters in the church, as members of one body, ministering and loving and serving one another. Our relationship with our enemies, against whom we are never to take revenge, but rather to seek their good and work for their salvation.

And, as we’re about to see in Romans 13, that the mercies of God in Christ toward sinners, that our justification by faith alone in Christ alone directly affects our relationship with our government, whom God has appointed. For our good, and for His glory. And if Paul has just said that by the mercies of God, we’re to overcome evil with good, that we’re to live at peace with all men, and that we’re to never seek vengeance for whatever our enemies might do to us? Why would we expect Paul to now sanction a violent overthrow, by Christians, of our evil constitution-violating government?

Why would we expect Paul to be more concerned with preserving our comfortable capitalist American democracy, than with the glory of Jesus Christ, with the salvation of lost men and women made in His image? … Let’s stand together please for the reading of God’s Word. I’m going to read the first 7 verses, but rest assured we will not have time, in one morning, to cover all 7, to work through all the implications and applications. So stay tuned for more.

Romans 13:1: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” … and may the Lord add his blessing to the reading of this portion of His fully inspired and wholly sufficient Word, you may be seated.

Is our government turning into our enemy? Into the enemy of the church, into the enemy of righteousness, into the enemy of Christ? Then it’s not hard to figure out what Paul will say to us in Romans 13. Because he’s just told us, if at all possible, as much as depends on us, to live at peace with all men. He’s just told us to bless those who persecute us, to bless and do not curse. He’s just told us not to return evil for evil, but rather to overcome evil with good. He’s just told us to never avenge ourselves, but rather, if our enemy is hungry, to feed him, if our enemy is thirsty, to give him a drink. So now Paul tells us, Romans 13:1, to be subject to the governing authorities. Even to our authorities, as believers were to be subject to the Roman authorities of Paul’s day.

To “be subject” means to submit. As in the Greek word, hupotasso, to rank ourselves under. We’re to rank ourselves under our governing authorities, we’re to fall in line as in a military unit, we’re to follow orders, we’re to obey laws, we’re to not cause trouble. Here’s the same thing from Titus 3: “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” No qualifications, no ifs ands or buts, Paul says just submit, do good, obey; be peaceable, gentle, and humble.

And then very similar in 1 Timothy 2, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Giving of thanks for the Supreme Court? Yes. Giving of thanks for legislators who vote to preserve government funding of Planned Parenthood? Yes, for kings and all who are in authority. In Paul there are no qualifications, no ifs ands or buts: simply as Christians?, to submit, do good, obey, be peaceable, quiet, gentle, and humble.

Why? Because our task as believers is not to preserve the kingdom of God in America through means of rebellion against our government. Our task as believers is not to become preoccupied with politics, to become flag waving, lobbying, protesting activists. No, our task as believers is the proclamation of the Gospel. Not only through Gospel preaching and Gospel witnessing, but also through Gospel prayers, and through Gospel conduct, and through Gospel submission to authority. Because the health of the church isn’t tied to conservative politics or to government policy. But the health of the church, and the effectiveness of the church’s mission, is directly linked to our obedience and trust and hope in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Because look at how Paul justifies his call to submission, Romans 13:1: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

Can you follow Paul’s main argument here? He’s saying that when we submit ourselves to our lesser authorities, we’re actually submitting ourselves to God.

And whether we realize it or not, that makes a Gospel statement. It tells our neighbors that the foundation of our lives is submission and obedience to God. It tells our neighbors that our treasure is not in this world, but that our treasure is in heaven. It tells our neighbors that our hope and trust is in the promises of God, not in the promises of politicians. It tells our neighbors that our quietness and confidence – even in the face of ungodly earthly authority – is proof of the Gospel; that we’re the living breathing evidence that what Christ has done for us at the cross is more real and more satisfying than earthly political security.

So our testimony to the Gospel which saves souls, our testimony to the eternal Kingdom of Christ, is of paramount importance, far more important than any temporary political condition. Where does the Scripture exhort us to even engage in politics? Where does the Scripture exhort us to become agents of civil change? We’re allowed to do so, yes, when it doesn’t interfere with our Gospel witness, but the church is not to make politics our priority. Instead, 1 Peter 2:12: “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Because the purpose of the people of God is to bring people to God. 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Like the OC priesthood, which was absolutely essential if God was to be worshiped in the tabernacle, so too the NC priesthood is absolutely essential if God is to be worshiped, by the nations, in Spirit and in truth. So we’re not a kingdom of politicians, or a kingdom of activists, or a kingdom of revolutionaries. We’re a kingdom of priests, set apart to God, to bring people to God.

Why? so that our culture might be transformed from within – one heart at a time believing the Gospel, through our obedient and faithful witness. As we preach the Gospel, both through our words and through our deeds. Yes, shining the light of God’s Law on the evils of our day. And then calling our neighbors to repentance for sins, and faith in Jesus Christ. But all the while, not giving our neighbors reason to be able to slander us as evildoers.

If you doubt this, if any Christian believes that our culture must be saved through political means, or that our government must be overthrown by violent means, then look at the life of Jesus Himself. What were His priorities? Overturning the evil and corrupt authorities in Rome and Jerusalem? Certainly He did not lack the courage to do so. … Are you worried about losing our democracy? Rome was ruled by an emperor, by one Caesar, who governed with absolute and ruthless authority. Are you disturbed by America’s foreign wars? Rome was the ultimate imperialist nation, invading and conquering its neighbors, murdering hundreds of thousands in their own homelands.

Are you sickened by our government sanctioning the slaughter of unborn babies? Herod the Edomite was the regional authority over the Jews, capable of the greatest atrocities, ordering the slaughter of all male children under the age of 2 in the region of Bethlehem. Are you angered by high rates of taxation, unfair tax burdens? Rome levied exorbitant taxes, collected by strong-armed cheats like Zacchaeus and Levi. And remember that’s how Joseph and Mary ended up in Bethlehem, displaced from their home in Galilee, so that Caesar Augustus could tax the whole world. … Are you frightened about being an oppressed minority, whose rights are increasingly being violated? The Jews were an oppressed minority, chafing under Roman rule to the extent that in AD70, Rome finally sent their armies to wipe out Jerusalem, killing over a million, destroying the city.
But what did Jesus say, when questioned about the relationship of His disciples to this spectacularly evil Roman government? Matthew 22, we read it earlier, Jesus said, Render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and render to God the things that belong to God. Jesus didn’t march for civil rights. He didn’t run for political office. He didn’t join up with the Zealots, the terrorists of that day. No. Jesus said, don’t rise up and kill Caesar. Jesus said, don’t spend your energy in plotting to overthrow Rome. Instead, Jesus said, Caesar, this Roman authority, has been appointed by God. Therefore submit to Caesar in the civil arena; pay your taxes, honor the king, pray for his peace and salvation. And then, in everything else?, submit to God.

And then, just a couple days after He said this, after Jesus had declared a separation between church and state, the equal legitimacy of church and state in their respective realms, then, as if to drive home for us our responsibility to submit even to an evil government, Jesus submitted to a Roman cross. A just Man unjustly deprived of life. So that His blood might save. So that hearts might be changed from within, by the Spirit; not compelled and coerced from without, by the flexing of our political muscle.

Turn please to 1 Peter 2, 1 Peter 2. We’re going to come back to Romans 13 next week, Lord willing. But for the time we have remaining this morning, I think it will be helpful for us to see Paul’s argument in Romans 13 through the eyes of Peter, who knew Jesus and His priorities so well. We all need to read 1 Peter, maybe memorize 1 Peter, which is the Bible’s handbook for enduring persecution. Because so much is going wrong. Like the recent videos, Planned Parenthood’s connection to our government, to our President. We can’t understand why we ought to submit to such evil authority over our nation, legalizing and then funding with our taxes the murder of a million babies every year, in the most callous ways possible.

Well then, consider that Peter wrote this letter, 1 Peter, during the reign of Nero, emperor of Rome. Nero ascended to the throne in 54AD at the age of 17 when his mother poisoned his father, emperor Claudius. In 55AD he had his brother killed, in 59AD he had his mother killed and in 62AD he had his own wife killed.

Then in 64AD, Nero set fire to Rome, burned most of it to the ground, terrorized his own citizens, why?, so that he could rebuild the city in his own image! – and then he blamed the Christians for the fire. So Nero started crucifying Christians in his gardens, and sewing them into animal skins to be torn apart by dogs, and dipping them in tar to be set on fire as torches. … Nero was a brutal, vicious, sadistic man. Would we be happy about paying taxes to him? Would we as Christians be happy to submit to him?

… What happened when the troops came to the Garden of Gethsemane to take away Jesus to be crucified? Remember what Peter did?, Peter wasn’t submissive, Peter drew his sword and attacked, Peter took a swing at one soldier’s head and cut off one of his ears. Well yes!, shouldn’t we resist ungodly authority? But what did Jesus say? “Put away your sword, Peter, Permit even this. I could call 12 legions of angels, Peter. But My Father has ordained this, ordained even this great evil, for His great purposes. In His righteous plan, He’s using this unrighteous human authority.” Remember what Jesus said to Pilate, to the Roman governor of Judea, later that night, John 19:11? “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.”

And Peter remembered those words as he wrote to these exiles from Rome, to his displaced brethren, who were trying to figure out how they should respond to their increasingly unrighteous authority. 1 Peter 2:13: “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men -- 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

Who is the ultimate authority, behind all earthly authorities? God Himself. Which is why Peter can say in verse 13 that our submission to every ordinance of man is for the Lord’s sake. When, as a child, I obeyed my parents, who was I really obeying? The Lord, who gave me my parents. When, as a citizen, I obey the speed limit; or when, as an employee, I follow my boss’s directives, who am I really honoring? The Lord, who gave to me my governing authorities.

What we need to be careful about here, of course, is not to reduce the Bible to a legalistic rulebook. As in, here are the principles of authority that are in the Bible, so as a Christian, now all I have to do is order my life around them, under them. No, because that misses the spirit of what Peter labored so hard to establish in his letter. That the Christian life isn’t just simply rules to follow, and proper lines of authority to be subject to. The Christian life is what? That it’s the freedom that was bought for us by Christ, so that we might express our love for Christ, in part through submission to earthly authorities that were given by Christ.

Okay? My citizenship is in heaven, Philippians 3:20. I’m seated in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:6. Therefore I’m free, to love God, and to enjoy life in Christ, unbound by any earthly kingdom. But then, it’s like God takes us and places us as citizens of His kingdom simultaneously into the kingdoms of this world, in order to serve Him, and bring Him glory. So I’m the citizen of two kingdoms: the kingdom of God, and whatever earthly nation He’s placed me in.

So I’m to live my life with the values of the kingdom of God, to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, Matthew 6:33. But I do this, I follow after the longing of my heart to seek and to grow and to extend Christ’s kingdom?, by submitting to my earthly authorities. … And, as I freely submit, as I freely “rank myself under” the President and the Congress and the Supreme Court, God then works out His eternal will, in this place, in this time.

See the chain of delegated power in verses 13 and 14? Authority is derived from God, granted to the king or emperor, then delegated to governors. Like Herod and Pilate. Why? Peter says – “for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of those who do good” – which is a good, twofold definition of the role of government, isn’t it?, of God’s ordained purposes for government.

First: “for the punishment of evildoers.” That would of course include capital punishment from Genesis 9. See, the primary purpose of our police and our courts and our “justice system” should be earthly justice. Remember Paul in Romans 13:4: “But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”

But then second, government is “for the praise of those who do good.” Jeremiah 29 is Jeremiah’s letter to the Jews who’d been violently invaded and carried off to Babylon. So the question was, should we go along quietly, should we submit, or should we fight? I mean, Babylon is evil, Babylon worships idols, Babylon is a godless nation. But what does God tell the captives, through Jeremiah? Jeremiah 29:5: “Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters -- that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”

Seek the peace of Babylon. Why? For I have caused you to be carried there. God was in control, wasn’t He? Even over the captivity of the nation of Israel in Babylon. And even over the captivity of the church under our own government, going forward. How are we going to obey this command of Peter to “do good”, to the point of being praised, unless we’re positively contributing to our communities? … Pray to the Lord for our nation, yes, pray for its peace. But also, build houses and plant gardens and beget sons and daughters. Give blood at the Red Cross, volunteer to work with troubled youth, counsel young mothers in crisis pregnancies.

Verse 15: “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men -- 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.” What do I accomplish, when I put away my sword in the face of ungodly earthly authority? What should be the outcome of our freely submitting to God, through His delegated governmental ministers? … What were the foolish saying in the first century, in their ignorance? That the followers of Jesus Christ were disloyal to Rome, disrupting trade, subverting the social order.

Well, but Peter says that by “doing good” – by obeying the law, and by doing positive good like serving the community, loving our neighbors – we can “put to silence” – we can muzzle their slanderous mouths. Christians will always be targets, in our century as well as in the 1st century, and when we fall below the basic standards of lawfulness in our culture, Christ will be dishonored. Unless we show them, by doing the will of God, by doing good, by submitting to God-ordained authority, that their accusations of us have no basis in reality.

But does that mean there’s never a time to resist government authority? What did Peter do, in Acts 4 and 5, when the apostles were arrested by the high priest, for preaching the Gospel? See, Peter had been commanded by Jesus to preach, to take the Gospel to all nations. So when he was ordered by an earthly authority NOT to preach, what did he say? Acts 5:29: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

So when the commands of my earthly authority are in opposition to the commands of my heavenly authority, my submission to man would no longer be, as Peter puts it, “for the Lord’s sake.” I must then disobey my earthly authority, … while being prepared to suffer the earthly consequences. But more on that, next week, Lord willing.

In the meantime, let’s trust that Paul, and Peter, and Jesus, knew better than we do, how to live out our lives in these interesting times, to the glory of God. Let’s spend, perhaps, a little less time worrying about what others are doing wrong, and focus instead on what we can do right. Submitting to the governing authorities, adorning the Gospel by which we’ve been saved.