Romans 13

Put On Christ

In today’s charged political atmosphere, this next section could be difficult to swallow. Paul starts out: everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God… It doesn’t matter what side of the political spectrum you are on, this doesn’t sit well. Paul actually wrote this in a very interesting time in history. He was living in the Roman Empire during the reign of Nero, who was well known for his persecution of Christians. Before him, was Claudius, an important component of this book, as he had previously expelled all Jews from Rome, leading to a predominantly Gentile church when the Jews did return to Rome. We also need to remember what Paul says in 12:18 –  If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Living at peace during the time of Nero was defiantly difficult at best! Finally, we must consider this passage in light of the theme of the book of Romans – living by faith in the grace given to us through the love of Christ Jesus. With this in mind, let us proceed with chapter 13.

Vs 1-7 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks, Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

Throughout history, there have been rulers who have persecuted Christians, lived lifestyles absolutely opposed to Christianity, or imposed laws that are in direct conflict with God. Let’s look at just a few: King Nebuchadnezzar, of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fame. He wanted his kingdom to bow down to a giant statue of himself. Antiochus IV Epiphanes persecuted the Jews during the Macabees days slaughtering a pig on the temple altar. The aforementioned Nero, who persecuted Christians in horrible ways and who had Paul martyred. Later we find others like Pope John XII, both a secular prince and leader of the church. His immoral behavior is legendary and he died at the hand of a husband who found the Pope in bed with his wife. Then there is Attila the Hun, Timur, Mary Queen of Scots, Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zadong, and Idi Amin… all cruel leaders who caused the death and starvation of millions of people. Today, we find many leaders who’s lives are the antipathies of Christianity and many who still reign down persecution. So, how can we follow Paul’s letter here in light of all of that?

First, let’s look at the Greek word for authority. It is exousia, which means the power to act with authority. This can mean civil authority or even religious authority. It is empowerment given to someone by someone (or in the case of some Caesars – given to themselves). Then Paul expounds later with the Greek word archón, or rulers of the day – those in authority that have rule over you. So, Paul is saying God has set these people in authority and we are to respond to them in this light. Second, does this mean we agree with them and do everything they say? I would say no, we cannot take this as an edict against civil disobedience. We do not just blindly comply with evil – and I know Paul agrees as he stood many times in civil disobedience which landed him in jail, stoned or whipped. We also have several other biblical examples of civil disobedience: the midwives’ noncompliance in the face of Pharaoh’s command in Exodus 1 to kill all the Hebrew babies, Moses who stood before Pharaoh demanding to “let my people go”, the disobedience of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego which landed them in a fiery furnace, and Daniel’s disobedience, which landed him in a lion’s den. Then there is Jesus who went against the religious authority of the time when he healed on the Sabbath and cleared the temple in Jerusalem. Finally, the apostles’ disobeyed in the face of the command not to teach in the name of Jesus—“We must obey God rather than men.” There is always a call to stand against evil. The early Christians, including Paul, did and died because of it. Today we find many believers around the world defy their own governments to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we put on Christ, there may come a call to stand against evil. It is how we stand that makes the difference – and we will find out how in the next section.

Third, we must read this passage with chapter 12 in mind. Remember how the chapter begins? “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God,” (verse 2). We are not to conform to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. We can then discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. He goes on throughout chapter 12 to describe how we are to act and interact with the people around us – both the believing and non-believing communities. This should be determined by our desire to live a transformed life in Christ. When asked about paying taxes, Christ said this, “give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21) Authority has been placed over us and God has allowed this authority in our lives. This does not mean all authority is righteous, it just means we, as people of God, must live out our faith as transformed people of God. We must put on Christ. So, as transformed people, we bless those who persecute us instead of curse them, we do not avenge ourselves, but, instead, allow God to avenge; we feed our enemy if he is hungry and conquer evil with good. In light of this, we understand all authority, good or bad, is there for the purpose of strengthening and growing the kingdom of God. Sometimes, the authority is adversarial,. But with persecution, comes steadfastness and spiritual depth. Sometimes, the authority is with us, giving us opportunities to spread the gospel of Christ freely without restraint. In these times, we must keep from becoming apathetic and lazy because the adversary is just around the corner. The key to all of this, as promised, is in the next few verses.

Vs 8-10 Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and whatever other commandment—all are summed up by this: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.

The key is LOVE. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus says this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands,” Matthew 22:37-40. Paul reminds us of Jesus’ second commandment: if we love our neighbor as ourself, we will not commit crimes against them as we can’t truly love someone and hurt them at the same time. When we love as God loves, we only want what’s best for them. Jesus went so far as to lay down His life for us because He loved us. Yes, we should certainly be subject to the authorities placed over us, but, when those authorities go against God, we must love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind and oppose them, doing so, again, in love. Love remembers we are saved by grace not by works. Love remembers the law cannot save us. It only shows us how far we are from the righteousness of God. I have found it both interesting and disheartening the last few years to see believers filled with so much anger wanting to legislate morality – put those laws in place – instead of working with people to change the heart. Just as the law cannot save us, neither can legislation cure the sin that exists in any nation. I am not saying we don’t stand for truth – we absolutely do. But, we do so as people saved by grace not the law. We do so as new creations in Christ who’s new DNA is now agape love. When we walk as people who love, we become an influence for Christ with everyone we encounter. We put on Christ.

Walking in love may open ourselves up to incur the wrath of those in authority over us. This is what Christ means when he says, blessed are you when they persecute you in My Name. Another way we honor the authority over us is when we willingly accept the consequences of our right actions. Paul and the apostles all knew the consequences of their actions – persecution – but they accepted it because they loved with the love of God. Corrie Ten Boon, her family, and many others accepted these consequences when they defied the government and hid Jews during WWII. Dietrich Bonhoeffer accepted his death because he defied the government who killed millions of innocent people. Believers around the world today stand firm in their faith and accept the consequences of their actions in countries where Christianity is unlawful. Like Daniel, they bow the knee and preach the gospel, only to be thrown in their own lion’s dens. There will always be those who come against us, wanting to reshape or conform us. But, we are a transformed people walking in the light of Christ. We have put on Christ.

Vs 11-14 Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires.

So Paul says – make sure you are awake! Just as there are those who can walk, talk, sing and do all sorts of things in their sleep, there are believers who can go along their merry little way doing the Christian thing in their religious sleep. This is where the apathy and laziness can worm it’s way in. Paul says – wake up! Get out of bed, get dressed in your armor of light and be ready to go to work. By putting on armor, we are ready for the battles that come at us each day. Battles to succumb to this age – the darkness of this world. Battles to engage in anger instead of the patience it takes to engage in love. Battles to repay evil for evil, or be prideful and arrogant or to take revenge. Instead, Paul tells us to put on Christ – put on agape love – so everyone we come into contact with will know the agape love of God. And we can do this because we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit. He will enable us to love as God loves. He will enable us to be the working and walking hands and feet of Jesus. So put on Christ and show His love in the world.