Written ~ 07-29-2024
Read Romans Chapter Thirteen
Romans 13
I have always respected Paul’s directness; he has a way of bringing difficult topics to light and the way he urges the readers of his letters is quite compelling. If the world would just listen to what he had to say, things would be so much different.
The first seven verses of chapter thirteen are particularly important especially when this country comes up to an election year. Let’s look at what Paul has to say…
Romans 13:1-7…
1 “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.”
Each time an election year rolls around, our country seems to get into an upheaval of disagreement over the candidates who are vying for our votes. This event seems to become a cause for chaos and a reason for ripping into the very core of every moral principle this nation was founded on. According to Scripture “everyone must submit to governing authorities” whether you like that particular candidate or not. It is God who has set these persons in their positions, He has purpose for their being in that particular role of authority whether we like it or not. It seems this nation has gotten completely off the rails when it comes to an election year. Instead of bickering and tearing down this nation’s constitution we need to uphold it with the reverence we have for the Almighty God. But sadly, this beautiful nation has fallen into a darkness that only the Spirit of the Living God can change. It seems more important to wage war against each other because of our differences, rather than praise God for His ultimate authority.
Think about what Paul is saying here…
- All authority comes from God
- Those in positions of authority have been placed there by God
- Anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against God
- The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good
We can look throughout the entire world and begin to question the effectiveness of prominent authority figures from every country. But we must keep in mind that it is God who has placed each one of them in that specific position for His purpose. We may not agree with their level of authority, but it is not our place to argue with God and question His divine appointments. That’s where our faith and our trust in Him needs to steep strongly in the Word of God.
Here are some instructions given to us by Paul from verses 13:1-7:
- Submit to governing authorities
- Do what is right to gain honor
- Submit to authority to keep a clear conscience
- Pay your taxes and government fees
- Give respect and honor to those who are in authority
A rebellious spirit has no place in the heart of a believer. When we don’t like what we see going on in the government, it’s time then, to get on our knees and pray for this country. Instead of griping and complaining, call out to the Lord and ask Him to give you the insight to see that He has everything under His control. Rather than creating more of a problem by being a part of the chaos, turn your eyes to the Lord and pray for His Spirit to sweep over this land with the intent of bringing Salvation to each and every soul. When we get so wrapped up in the political agendas of an elected official, we begin to forget whose hand is orchestrating everything. We mustn’t forget that we are to live in honor and reverence for the Lord God first, then respect and honor those He places in positions of authority. Difficult doesn’t seem to sum up our feelings in this matter, but we must yield our hearts to what the Lord wants us to do, not what the world’s voice wants us to do.
So how do we become a part of the solution and not add to an already volatile situation? Paul says in verse 13:9b-10, “Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.” When we show the love of Jesus to everyone we come in contact with, it doesn’t leave much room for arguments and turmoil, what is does bring is complete obedience to God’s commands.
Let’s continue with these compelling words from Paul…
Romans 13:8-10…
8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
In this passage Paul lists just a few of God’s 10 commandments found in Exodus 20:1-17. Even though this isn’t the entire list, let’s explore the few Paul commands does list from verse 13:9.
- You must not commit adultery
- You must not murder
- You must not steal
- You must not covet
Number one – adultery. Most of us automatically think of marital adultery, having an affair while married; hopefully none of us are tempted with such things as that. But Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, that if you were even to look at another person with lust in your heart, you have already committed adultery. The dictionary also includes the synonyms to adultery as – unfaithfulness, misconduct and cheating. These words can be used in pretty much any situation when dealing with others. Unfaithfulness is a disloyalty to another person, it’s an untrustworthy characteristic or attitude. This comes into play if the promises you make are not being fulfilled, or if your truthfulness is being twisted with lies. The word misconduct is an umbrella to the words mismanagement, malfeasance, misbehavior and wrongdoing. And cheating is any type of deceitful activity or fraud against another person. A student may say they would never commit adultery but have no problem with cheating on a final exam. To our Holy God, there is no difference.
Number two – murder. This is an obvious one, isn’t it? Or is it? The idea of taking another person’s life is considered an extreme action if we don’t get along with another person. But do you know what Jesus had to say about murder? Look at what He said in Matthew 5:21-22, (for these verses I am using The Message Version – MSG)…
21-22 “You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
In the Book of James, it talks about our tongues; the words that come from our mouths have the ability to accomplishment great and wonderful things, but it can also set your whole world on fire and fill it with destruction with a single word. You may never contemplate murdering another person, but if you have ever called someone an idiot or stupid or cursed at anyone for whatever reason, it is as though your words have been used to kill. It says in Matthew 5:21 that if you are even angry with someone else you are guilty of murder. A few synonyms for the word murder are teasing, torment, bullying. You may not have thought of comparing murder with bullying someone, but think about how the act of relentless teasing and bullying can break someone to the point they take their own life… how is that not murder? To our Holy God, there is no difference.
Number three – stealing. The definition of the word steal is to take something without right and with an intent to keep it. Pretty self-explanatory, right? Don’t take things that are not yours. Period. In Matthew 15:19 it says, “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.” In this passage Jesus lumps stealing or theft in with evil desires that come from the heart. If your heart has been turned to the darkness of the world you probably wouldn’t think twice about taking something that does not belong to you. It is never wise to underestimate your heart’s desire to take something, anything, without first getting the permission from the rightful owner. Keep in mind this doesn’t always mean just personal property, if could be we want to steal someone else’s ideas as our own. And getting even deeper, what about stealing one’s innocence. A lot to think about when it comes to the word, steal… and remember… To our Holy God, there is no difference.
Number four – coveting. What is coveting? Covet may not be a word we use readily in our daily conversations, but let’s explore the definition. To covet is to wish for something earnestly (in a serious manner, not lightly or casually), to want what belongs to another person with excessive and unreasonable desire. When you get right down to the heart of the word covet, this can mean anything that you want that another person has… possessions, lifestyle, personality, physique, intelligence… this list, quite honestly, can go on and on. In Romans 7, Paul even discusses his desire to covet and not realizing it was something unlawful until God’s command said, “You must not covet.” If you have ever had a fleeting thought that what someone else has, is something you desire even possibly with evil intent to get it, it’s wise to get those thoughts under control immediately, because even if it’s just a quick thought… To our Holy God, there is no difference.
So, again… what is the solution to keep our hearts focused on what God would have us do? “Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
Moving on…
Romans 13:11-14…
11 “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So, remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”
Wow. Again, Paul does not mince his words. It’s like he’s saying “Knock it off! It’s time to live your life fully for the Lord! Get rid of those worldly indulges, all of them, and seek the Lord!”
We must understand that the closer we come to Christ’s return the eviler and darker this world is going to get. As believers, our deepest desire should be to honor the Lord in all we do. Temptation to get entangled in the web of the world’s view on morality can be very enticing – things look good on the surface, but it can draw you in like a trap and begin to change your heart, change your thoughts about what the Bible says about sin. Soon we begin to convince ourselves that what we are doing, what we are saying, is not all that bad.
Paul is warning us, urging us to strip away the darkness, “So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes and put on the shining armor of right living.” What do you need to strip away? What part of your lifestyle is not giving full glory and honor to God?
It is important in this world today that we shine the light of Jesus who resides within us. Non-believers will be drawn to that light and want what we have, “Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see.”
Who do you want to see come to Salvation more than anything? How are you portraying Jesus to them? Are you “wishy-washy,” in how you follow the Lord? Do you have kind of a “Go with the flow” attitude? Are you hesitant in taking a stand for Jesus in every situation? Think about that person who you really want to find Salvation… do they see you compromise your actions and your speech? Do they see you indulging in the things of the world? You may think, “Oh, this isn’t that bad, I can do “this” or “that,” it won’t matter if I…”
Think about those things that may not be shining the light of Jesus.
So, if we are to strip away the “dirty clothes” of our dark deeds, what does Paul say to do instead?
Romans 13:14…
14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”
Verse 13:13 begins by saying, “Do not participate in the darkness…”
And what do we find in the darkness?
Romans 13:13b
“…wild parties and drunkenness… sexual promiscuity and immoral living… quarreling and jealousy.”
What are we to do instead?
- Love your neighbor as yourself
- Strip away darkness
- Put on the shining armor of right living
- Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ
- Do not indulge your evil desires
We may not know the hour or the day, but Jesus is coming back! Do you want Him to come back while you are still dabbling in the darkness?
Romans 13:11…
11 “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up!”
Consider what we have learned from Paul in this chapter. Let’s be ready for the return of Christ.
~AMEN~