A Radical Response to Authority
Romans 13:1-6

Message by Kurt Jones
June 19, 2005

Intro

• In Hollywood, it is illegal to drive more than two thousand sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at one time.
• In San Diego, it is illegal to shoot jackrabbits from the back of a streetcar. It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.
• In San Francisco, elephants are prohibited from strolling down Market Street unless they are on a leash. Elephants may not be used to plow cotton fields.
• In Palm Springs, it is illegal to walk a camel down Palm Canyon Drive between the hours of 4 and 6 pm.
• In Carmel, ice cream may not be eaten while standing on the sidewalk. Also, women may not wear high heels while in the city limits.
• In Chico, detonating a nuclear device within the city limits results in a $500 fine.
• In Blythe, you are not permitted to wear cowboy boots unless you already own at least two cows.
• In Arcadia, peacocks have the right of way to cross any street, including driveways.
• In Baldwin Park, nobody is allowed to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool.
• A Belvedere City Council order reads, "No dog shall be in a public place without its master on a leash."
• No vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 miles per hour.

Review

Romans 13 continues the theme of transformed lives – radically different thinking than the world. Radically different thinking about:

• Yourself
• Your Christian Family
• Your circle of relationships – Friends, family, etc
• Your enemies

He now brings it home to talk about our Christian response to authority… specifically governing authorities.

Read vs. 1,2.

The Problem

Paul was not unaware that all governments are not good – in that day or today. Nero, Caligula, Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Robert Mugabe…

Paul does not answer a lot of questions we have… What about unjust acts committed by evil governments? What about people being forced to do evil things, or to condone evil behavior? What about the American Revolution? Did it violate this command? Paul’s words do not address these…

Ex: Paul Condie testimony from the Middle east.

Three explanations for this tension

Paul is writing to address a particular problem in the Roman church and it was not meant to normative for everyone.

Paul was writing about the ideal state. Christians are free to disobey the government if it does not meet the criterion.

• These verses “…simply express God’s position as Supreme Authority, not the procedure by which all leaders, or even national leaders, are chosen.
• “It is inconceivable that God uses His authority to set up evil rulers.”
• “If God sets up and takes down specific kings or rulers, He invalidates authority granted to man. Because God is the creator of man, He can certainly do this if He wishes, but there is no indication in Scripture that God does this as a general rule.”
• “God has given us a plan of authority and every person is subject to it (not man made or government laws).”

In demanding “submission” Paul is not necessarily demanding obedience.

What are the limits of submission? What are the limits of obedience?

“The place to begin is not with the limits or with the exceptions!”

Few of us have had direct experience of an evil government, forcing us to actively participate in evil, or prohibiting us from doing what is right.

1. The Clear Command. V.1a

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.

Context: The Jewish people were notoriously resistant to all outside authority. In AD 58 there was a tax revolt, and at one time all Jews were expelled from Rome. They rebelled many times and were finally crushed by the Roman General Titus in AD 70, when the city of Jerusalem was destroyed, just 10 years after Paul was writing these words. Jews and Christians were protected by a law written by Julius Caesar, but times were changing. The persecution of the Church by the Roman government would dramatically increase in AD 64. 2 Timothy and 1 Peter were clearly written with this kind of context in mind.

Two main words for “power”

“Kratos” = Power or rule – legit or illegit. Demo = people Democracy = people rule.

“Exousia” = delegated rule.

John 19:10-12 - So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" 11 Jesus answered, " You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above…."

Submit = Hypotasso “to stand under” – Not just to DO something, but to do it with honor and respect. EX: kids

1 Cor. 16:16 – believers are to submit to spiritual leaders

Eph. 5:21 – believers are to submit to one another

Titus 2:9 – Slaves are to submit to masters

Eph. 5:24 – Wives are to submit to husbands

Eph. 6:1 – Children are to submit to their parents

Three prongs of authority see Colson “Kingdoms in Conflict”

Authority through family – establishes society’s most basic values. Loss of the God ordained role of the family leads, as theologian Carl Henry has written, to the “deterioration of society and the eventual collapse of nations.”

1 Cor 11:3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

Authority through church – administers and encourages the worship of God and meets the spiritual needs of God’s people. To proclaim in word and deed the Gospel.

Authority through government – preserves order, restrains sin, promotes a just social order.

Some will say “Let’s just appeal to the good in people while providing an environment for self fulfillment!” People are basically good and the world is getting better and better! Government is a social necessity.

“The human race… has been in such a state of corruption, that without the powerful obstacle presented by civil government… it would be better to live among the beasts of the forest than in human society.” Haldane.

April 15th – “voluntary assessment” for your taxes. But if you refuse, you will be hunted down!

2. The Basis for Submission v.1b-2

a. Authority is from God. v 1b

For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

The Starting point for Paul’s argument is The Sovereignty of God. Throughout the book of Romans, the message has been, “God is at work!” Romans 8:38

Ps 22:28-29

28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S
And He rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,
All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.

Proverbs 8:15

Isa 40:23 - He it is who reduces rulers to nothing,
Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.

Ps 2:1-4

Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

3 "Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!"

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.

Acts 17:24-25 - 24 " The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;

Col 1:15-17 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Examples: Egypt Pharoah – Romans 9:17 “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate my power in you…”

Babylon - Nebuchadnezzar says in - Dan 4:17b, 25, 32; 5:21b

…the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,

And bestows it on whom He wishes

And sets over it the lowliest of men."

Daniel said, Dan 2:20-21"Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,

For wisdom and power belong to Him.

21 "It is He who changes the times and the epochs;

He removes kings and establishes kings;

He gives wisdom to wise men

And knowledge to men of understanding.

Cyrus the Persian - Isa 45:1 Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed,

Whom I have taken by the right hand,

To subdue nations before him

And to loose the loins of kings;

To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

b. Resisting authority is resisting God. v. 2

2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

1 Tim 2:1-2 - First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

Titus 3:1-2 - Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

Acts 16:19-25 Paul and Silas beaten and jailed in Philippi. Sing, doors open and they don’t leave!

Acts 21:39 – Paul uses Roman citizenship to preach the Gospel in Rome.

Acts 22:25-30 – Paul about to be scourged uses Roman citizenship to be released.

Acts 25:10-11 – Paul appeals to Caesar before Festus in Caesarea.

3. The Role of a Righteous Ruler. v. 3-5

These verses are speaking in general terms. Stating the divine ideal.

Minister v.4 = diakonos

Servant v. 6 = leitougos

a. A Ministry For Good. V. 3 – 4a

3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good.

1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

“Peter says here that civil authority is to be honored and that God is to be feared. The state, as he defines it, is to punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right. If this is not so, then the whole structure falls apart. Clearly, the state is to be a ministry of justice… Manifesto Schaeffer p. 92

PURPOSE #1 – to establish and maintain justice

b. A Ministry Against Evil. V. 4bff.

But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

An avenger (tie 13:4 to 12:19)

The sword = instrument of death = civil government inflicting punishment. (death penalty?)

PURPOSE #2 – to protect from evil outside and to protect from evil inside.

As if two other reasons weren’t enough - 1. Resisting authority is resisting God. 2. Resisting authority will get you condemnation and punishment. He ALSO Adds

c. A Ministry of the heart. V.5

5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

“con” = with. “scientia” = knowledge

Rom 1:18-19 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

Rom 2:14-16 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,

1 Tim 1:5,19; 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3

4. The Results of Submission. V.6,7

Matt 22:17-21 - 7 "Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19 "Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax." And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" 21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, " Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."

a. Taxes

Foros or foroi (tribute) refers to payment given to a foreign ruler and custom is to a native or local authority.

b. Custom

c. Fear

d. Honor

Matt 22:21-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:19-26 “…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."

1 Peter 2: 17 - Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was just that easy? Every ruler was good and kind and just… No corruption, no evil, no greed. Well we can “imagine” this kind of a world all day long with John Lennon, but it ain’t gonna happen!

5. The Extent of Obedience.

What are the limits? When do the exceptions come out?

Ex. 2:1-10 moses

Dan. 3 , 6 – not bowing to Nebuchadnezzar, praying to God. Furnace/lions

Matt. 2:7-16 –Jesus to Egypt

Acts 4:19-20; 5:29 - Peter and John with Sanhedrin –

Limitation #1 – Evangelism - CHURCH

The church is given clear commands from God that we must obey. Matt. 28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8

Limitation #2 – Personal Morality - FAMILY

Limitation #3 – Public Evil - GOVERNMENT

Hebrews 10:32ff

Christians will disagree on when the line is drawn on each of these. And for what issues? Slavery? Apartheid? Homosexual marriage? Pornography in 7/11 stores? The war in Iraq? Raising the minimum wage?

A Christian Manifesto – “It is time that we consciously realize that when any office commands what is contrary to God’s law it abrogates its authority, And, our loyalty to the God who gave this law requires that we make the appropriate response in that situation to such a tyrannical usurping of power.” P. 131, 132

So the command to be subject in verses I and 5 is not absolute, it depends on whether subjection will involve us in doing wrong. The ultimate criterion of right and wrong is not whether a ruling authority commands it but whether God commands it. The fact that God has ordained all authority does not mean all authority should be obeyed. It is right to resist what God has appointed in order to obey what God has commanded. Piper

Jesus was not silent before Pilate. He reminded him of his sin. We are accountable to speak up and stand up against evil in our world.

Have we exhausted every avenue that is legal? Have we done everything possible to overcome evil with GOOD? We can rage against abortion, but have we helped young pregnant women in crisis? We can rage against AIDS, but have we taken the time to sit with a homosexual who is hurting? Are we as committed to clinging to what is good as we are to hating what is evil?

Have we used legitimate means of voting, Freedom of speech, and the legislative process?

APPLICATION

1. We must have a higher standard of obedience.

· Social disobedience is an easier issue than moral obedience.

· Building codes and fees, speed limits, drinking age, copyright laws, music downloads, pirated software, etc…

· Excuses = It’s a crazy law anyway, I didn’t vote for it, everyone breaks it, who is going to know…. All those musicians are rich anyway – I’m a modern day Robin Hood.

· Moral obedience is costly. Over and over again the Bible calls subjection to authority, suffering wrongly, doing what is right when all else is wrong – a source of truth for the watching world.

· 1 Peter 2:18-21 -18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

2. We must have a higher motive for disobedience.

We do not have the luxury of disobeying the law simply because it is inconvenient, expensive, or time consuming.
We can only disobey if the law violates a clear command from God.
At the same time we do not have the luxury of simply “going along with the crowd”.

When to disobey

Obey laws in all cases of legitimate authority
· Oppose the authority when it violates its God given function or breaks the moral will of God.

How to disobey

Opposition must not use evil means
Vengeance must never be a motive for opposition.
Opposition should clearly protest the violation and be willing to pay the consequences.

“In our day, breaking laws to make a dramatic point is the ultimate logic of terrorism, not of civil disobedience.” Charles Colson Kingdoms in Conflict

3. Society will not be changed by political reformation, but only by spiritual transformation. The sword can deter evil, but it cannot transform a heart. Change comes from a radically different heart… Romans 12:2 transformed inside out.

If Christians sit and do nothing as the world goes to hell, we will answer to God. Pick up the newspaper, start reading and when you come to something that makes your blood start to boil you know you’ve found a place to make a difference.

Glen in Africa with AIDS orphans

George and Stacey with street kids in Mexico

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