If You Don't Respect President Biden, Then You Don't Respect God

Thinking about Romans 13:5-7.

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Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:5-7)

After commanding Christians to be subject to the governing authorities and to be law-abiding citizens who did good in their communities, Paul turned his attention to the current political issue that was causing all the unrest in Rome.

Two Reasons to Submit.

Paul reminded them that it was necessary to be subject to the governing powers in Rome because of their authority to punish those who opposed them, and also “for conscience’ sake.”

Their conscience had been molded by Paul’s teaching of the gospel of Christ, and now he called upon them to respond based upon that.

While fear can be a healthy motivator, it’s not the only motivator to do or not do something. Paul used both fear and what was right in urging Christians to be subject to their government.

The Political Issue in Rome.

Right around the time Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Rome, there was unrest in Rome over the paying of the tribute tax (Tacitus, Annals, 13.50-51).

The tribute tax was collected from taxes paid on land or from poll taxes. Every person in the Roman Empire was subject to this tax, except people who lived in Roman colonies who were exempt.

Evidence indicates that the Roman government cracked down on people fleeing their localities to avoid the heavy taxes of this era, and particularly in Spain, where the entire population was subject to the tribute tax. Paul recognized that not only his mission to Spain but also the future of the church in Rome would be at risk if the Christians became embroiled in a tax resistance movement. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 472

The taxes that were paid to Rome were what funded the government and allowed it to operate. Paul used the word “servant” or “minister” to refer to the government’s role in serving God’s purpose in punishing evil and promoting good.

The government receives its authority from God (Romans 13:1-2). And they have the authority to “bear the sword” against those who resist their authority (Romans 13:3-4).

Pay Your Taxes and Be Respectful.

Taxes refer to direct taxes, like property taxes. Customs refer to taxes like what would be collected when goods were moved from one place to another. These two words sum up all the taxes Rome would collect from its citizens.

Whatever taxes were owed to the government, the Holy Spirit through Paul said, “Pay it.”

Christians were also commanded to give “fear” and “honor” to the governing authorities. Some officials wore weapons and were what we would call “law enforcement.” They were to be respected because of what they stood for.

All governing authorities deserve honor from God’s people: “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

We should also be praying for our governing authorities.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

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Christians - do we allow our political leanings to overrule being a “living sacrifice” for God (Romans 12:1-2)?

This is not a new issue of our time, Paul knew the Christians in Rome were struggling with the same issue.

Think about how our governing authorities get talked about in the news or on social media. What is so often shown is a lack of respect and honor for them - which by extension is a lack of respect and honor for God, the one who gave them their authority (Romans 13:1-2). This is completely opposed to what Paul taught Christians in Romans 13:1-7.

Brethren and friends, if we do not honor and respect our governing authorities, then we do not honor and respect the Lord God.

While Paul and the Christians in Rome certainly would not have agreed with everything their governing authorities stood for or did - they were called to honor and respect the governing authorities.

Why? Because they were living sacrifices for God.

So are we a living sacrifice for God or not?