Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Government protests. Riots. “Insurrection.” Treason. Conspiracy to commit. Illegal use of power. Corruption probe. Inditement. Conviction.
There have been so many headlines in the news over the past several years that frame the role of government in certain ways. They have also framed the role of citizenry in very different ways. So what is the role of government and the role of citizens?
Our passage today begins the defining chapter of the Christians’ response to government and their role as citizens. The role is simple: the government is supposed to uphold what is right, and citizens to submit to the authorities. This sounds so simple, so easy. But it isn’t!
It is one thing to submit to the authorities in a general, abstract way. But then when the government starts upholding wrong rather than right, then there is a rub, for the Christian at least. How do I submit to an authority that isn’t upholding righteousness?
This has been a struggle since the beginning. That is why Paul writes these words. He has been on the receiving end of injustice at the hands of those in power. He has been falsely accused and jailed standing up for and doing what is right. He understands the dangers of submitting to an unrighteous government and the dangers of a citizenry that doesn’t submit to governing authority. Both of these positions create chaos.
God has established authority as a principle by which goodness can be rewarded and given free reign in a society. Authority is the framework that He has established. We read of Israel’s history of accepting and then rejecting God’s authority over their lives, and the consequences of those choices. Authority is the way the game is to be played.
But we have also read about times when ruling authorities have slaughtered its own citizens. Authority gone amuck is the worst kind of authority, for authority of this type wields power to advance unrighteous ends. And this is Paul’s story. He received the short end of the justice stick repeatedly.
At other times, like during WWII, some pastors have rebelled against an unjust government and been killed in the process. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one such individual. He chose to confront the authorities of his native Germany and was killed within weeks of being liberated from a work camp.
This can be a very difficult decision, to rebel against a particular authority. I think that is why Paul writes that all authorities, plural, have been established by God. God has made the structure of authority as a good thing. It helps form strong societies when righteous authority is active.
But when authorities abuse their authority, then things can be very different. And this is the line we don’t want to cross. We want only enough government to keep peace and order, but not so much government that it impinges on our right to make choices. We should be allowed to make choices that are contrary to good order and discipline, and then receive the consequences for our actions.
This text does not state that every decision by the authorities is a righteous decision, to be fully obeyed. The structure is a good one. Some people are in charge and given freedom to make decisions that affect others through the power of government. In political systems that allow citizens to have real input into the way governing is to be accomplished, these are the societies where righteousness has the greatest change of growth and collective betterment.
Make it a habit of submitting to the authorities. Pay taxes. Support the authorities. And hold authorities responsible to make decisions that are righteous, or at least decisions that are neutral. Don’t get in the habit of rebelling just for the sake of rebelling. The Kingdom is more important than earthly power structures. Get on board with God.
The Arnold Journey 