The ten-hour drive through the mountains led Dave from school to his home, but the trip robbed him of valuable study time. By driving faster, he could trim the journey to eight hours. That seemed like a pretty good bargain to him.
There was a problem though. He had to exceed the speed limit substantially (do the math). Clenching the wheel apprehensively, he looked for highway patrol cars the entire route. He couldn’t even enjoy the scenery. By the time Dave arrived home, relaxation had become impossible. He couldn’t sleep or study. His drive had saved two hours in travel time, but he lost more than he gained.
Speeding on a roadway might not rank high on our list of misdeeds, but intentionally breaking even a traffic law indicates a heart that wants its own way. The apostle Paul wrote, “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” (Romans 13:3).
The apostle penned those words during the reign of a regime that didn’t even recognize God. Yet he said, “The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. . . . [They’re] sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong” (Romans 13:4). He advised his readers, “Submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience” (Romans 13:5).
The next time he took his trip through the mountains, Dave found that easing up on the accelerator also eased his mind. His entire spirit calmed as he began to appreciate the spectacular drive he had hardly noticed before. It’s amazing what we can enjoy when we rest in God with a clear conscience.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 2:11-25
More:
Peter echoes Paul’s respect for authority in 1 Peter 3:13-17. Note how we may suffer for doing what’s right.
Next:
Ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance today as you consider what might be bothering your conscience. How can you rest in God’s provision instead of trying to have your way?
godlove on February 1, 2017 at 2:48 am
I have always struggled with the idea that ALL authority comes from God, particularly in the face of oppressive regimes who actively persecute their own people. Are these really serving God, and are they really sent for the good of the people? Being from, and living in, a part of the world where dictatorships abound, it can sometimes feel a little bit unfair that “rebelling against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.” (Non-believers use verses such as this to defend the idea that the evangelists who came at the time of colonisation came with the Bible as a tool to help the colonial powers in dominating the indigenous people.) A clear conscience can only take you that far when you face injustice from the authorities everyday and you are constantly punished unjustly. However, I guess we can find hope from the passage in the “More” section: it is better to suffer for doing what is right, knowing that God will reward us for it. Our hope is in the Lord, so may we rest in God’s provision. Thank you, Tim, blessed day to you and to everyone on here.
tim gustafson on February 1, 2017 at 6:32 am
What an excellent point, Godlove! This is a real struggle for me, internally. Where I live, I don’t face anything that you could truly call persecution (although there is surely anti-Christian prejudice). So I can easily take Paul’s words to heart about obeying the authorities. But I don’t really know what persecution is. Paul, and Peter, and all of the apostles faced life-threatening persecution, and in fact most were killed by the very authorities that Paul is telling us to obey. As to the abuses by non-believers, wow, that’s a tough one for us to handle. But if we are known for our careful response and our wise living, perhaps some will listen to us when we defend and promote the correct use of Scripture, as opposed to these kinds of abuses. (As an example, you’ll remember, I’m sure, that both sides used the Bible to defend and to oppose slavery. Only one of those sides was right — the abolitionists.)
Gary Shultz on February 1, 2017 at 5:41 am
Tim, you’re a bad man, pulling out my driving sins. I admit, I go with the flow not with the signs. I don’t want to spend time defending myself, as I drive a lot for part of my living, but I want to divert attention away from my sin and bring up another subject, you know like the woman at the well when she was cornered. As I absorbed the article a thought popped to the fore that always seems perplexing to me and maybe some other believers also. A little of what godlove said, I do agree with authority and that we need to obey it. I know we are protected by laws and authorities and laws to guide life with others. My real puzzlement is at what level do we scratch our heads and think this just is not right. I know we serve God and not men; however, as you know when we pay taxes we support many things that are appalling to God and His direction for us. So, in-bedded in the good is great evil. Yet, I do think we should live the quiet and peaceable lives God has asked us to live. It’s not a question of obedience, it’s extortion of funding to shove it in God’s face. It may be too that change is a-coming… So, you got me, but lend me you thoughts on authority today. Thanks Tim
tim gustafson on February 1, 2017 at 6:38 am
Oh, Gary, I should start each one of these posts by saying, “And I can really relate to this man’s struggle!” (That’s why I wrote about it in the first place.) You raise several good and troubling questions here. It seems to me that it is far too difficult and complex to essentially boycott everything that is associated with evil. For instance, if I chose not to pay my taxes because that money is spent on so much I don’t believe in. Jesus seemed to maddeningly dodge this sorts of issues, or at least tacitly condone the evil government. But then, He told us that His Kingdom is not of this world. Coupled with what Paul said here, and with what Peter says about being careful not to suffer because of evil that WE do, I have to believe that we obey the authorities until the Holy Spirit shows us that it is the right time “to obey God rather than men.” And yeah, that can be a very tough call sometimes.
gagirllive on February 1, 2017 at 6:15 am
Hi, Tim. This has certainly been a hotly debated passage of scripture. I can see how it can bring about a lot of angst if we just pluck this passage out without considering the whole of it. Many ungodly authorities have undoubtedly used this passage to beat those subject to them into submitting to their ungodliness, I’m sure. As with all of scripture, the key to clarity is found in understanding context. Paul is writing to Gentile believers in Rome, and from what I can understand, he is addressing the issue of submitting to the ruling synagogue authorities whom God has placed over them, not the civil authorities. He is speaking in regards to God’s servants who were sent to watch over them for their good. (v.4) Of course, that’s not to say that Christians are not to live under the authority of civil government. Of all people, we should be best at obeying the law of the land…as long as it does not contradict the law of God. As believers, we belong to another kingdom with Jesus as our One True King. When we suffer for doing right, as referenced in 1 Peter, that is usually as the result of conflicting kingdoms where we must choose allegiance to our King no matter the cost. We do not have dual citizenship. It is good when the law of our land is in sync with the law of God. As much as atheists protest against our religious liberties and any semblance of God in public life, HE IS HERE. Our very government is constructed upon His precepts and would quickly crumble (as we are progressively in danger of doing as we continue to depart from them) without the moral laws we have in place. Where do these moral laws come from? A moral Lawgiver—the One to whom we must ALL give an account. All that to say (Whew! Did I really go around the world to make my point?!), life generally goes better when we do what is right. Truly, we can rest instead of fearing being arrested. So obey the speed limit, STBP. 🙂 Appreciate this devo, brother. Grace and peace to you today.
tim gustafson on February 1, 2017 at 6:40 am
Exceptionally well said, GG! Nothing I can add.
hsnpoor on February 1, 2017 at 12:32 pm
GG, I don’t think I’ve ever been on an opposite side of an issue from you, but on this one, I’m not seeing eye to eye with you here. I like where you were going with your comment and it would certainly make clarity & obedience on this issue a lot easier if the instruction here were about our spiritual, and not civil, leaders. But, I just don’t think scripture bears that out and verse 4 is pivotal, for me, to understand the context as being civil leadership. It was the Roman authority who controlled the wielding of the “sword”, not the Jewish leadership. And, although, there was a temple tax to be paid to maintain the synagogue, there was no authority in place to enforce same. It was essentially a “free will” offering. Not so the Roman (civil) tax system. Those living under the authority of Rome were legally obligated to pay taxes; i.e., they were owed to Rome and there were enforceable, legal consequences when they were not paid. Paul is, as always, masterful in making his case here, which is about being subject to governing authorities. He begins by reminding us that God is the only wise King and that all worldly government, good, bad or indifferent, is there by His design and under his ultimate authority. Then he takes us out of the worldly, fleshly realm and moves us up a level reminding us, not to just fear the wrath of the authorities/Authority, but the importance of a good conscience. It harkens back to the truth to be found in Galatians 5:22-23 (…against such things, there is no law). Then he takes us to the “heart” of the matter where the rubber meets the road; where our real motivation for this obedience is derived: ” Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law”. This is not worldly or even church living; it’s kingdom living and living as children of the King, on this Earth, is the hardest, easiest thing known to man.
Monica Brands on February 1, 2017 at 12:47 pm
GG and hsnspoor, This is a fascinating conversation! I’ve always struggled with what Romans 13 means in practice. I will make a mental note to spend more time investigating how this passage is approached. Thanks to both of your for your very interesting (if differing) explanations!
don777 on February 1, 2017 at 6:32 am
Guilty, I need to slow down & smell the roses. 🙂
tim gustafson on February 1, 2017 at 6:41 am
Funny how today of all days I feel like I have so much to do I have to get racing out the door. Hmmm. Perhaps I should heed my own advice here?
don777 on February 1, 2017 at 6:44 am
If I would let Jesus drive then I would not be speeding. So I need to get out of the drivers seat & let Jesus drive. Any time I try to drive I have a wreck.
tim gustafson on February 1, 2017 at 6:48 am
Don777, THAT is profound. “Any time I try to drive I have a wreck.” Yep.
gagirllive on February 1, 2017 at 6:53 am
Haha…so today’s theme song has got to be “Jesus Take the Wheel”!!! 🙂
tim gustafson on February 1, 2017 at 7:04 am
I love you guys, you know that, right? 🙂
gagirllive on February 1, 2017 at 7:14 am
Yeah, yeah…we know. 🙂
samgaskill on February 1, 2017 at 10:42 am
Oh my! Such great discussion today on a topic I confess I have not thought about much…..living without the persecution others have expressed. I surely like the idea of benefiting in the subtlest way such as enjoying the journey when we slow down obeying traffic laws. And I can’t picture Jesus doing much in haste but rather being completely present in each moment. On the other hand today’s reading and sharing has made me more aware of the corruption and evil in both oppressed nations and those seemingly not. The problem rests with the hearts of men turned away from God, whether it be just a few corrupt leaders in the system or a heartless government that exists to oppress the people. In the end, as we are told to respect (obey) the laws we are placed under. Perhaps our only comfort is knowing we are CITIZENS of Heaven, not of earth, and that God is in control over both the innocent and the corrupt. I ask The Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts in this and to love mercy and justice, and to pray more fervently for my brothers and sisters who daily face oppression foreign to me. I appreciate fresh awareness of the bigger picture of the suffering in the family of God in other nations. God bless you all and may He help our hearts to love His goodness and perfect ways and trust in what we cannot yet see or understand. Mary
minkjh on February 1, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Tim, taking this to another level, your post couldn’t be more appropriate for today’s climate in light of current affairs. The conscience question weighs on us as individuals and also within the greater realms of church and state. I believe we can agree that we’ve seen an erosion of our moral fiber within the last generation or two unlike that at any other time in our existence as a nation. Righteousness, integrity, humility and truth virtually have disappeared from the landscape. So what do we do when there is conflict between God’s law and that of man, when we are commanded to do what God forbids or forbidden to do what God commands? That answer prompts another question- to whom we owe our true allegiance?
hsnpoor on February 1, 2017 at 1:56 pm
mikjh, I think that’s the easiest and clearest part of this quandary. When civil law violates God’s law, we follow God’s law, no matter where it leads, including death. We, in the U.S., are highly blessed & favored in that although there are laws on the books that violate God’s law (redefinition of marriage, legally killing babies, etc.), we are not required to participate and can even legally protest. As a matter of fact, I don’t take that liberty lightly and I often feel obligated to protest and when the crush on my conscience is strong enough, I do just that.
hsnpoor on February 1, 2017 at 1:31 pm
This devotion really makes me think about government, not just in the US, but worldwide. I think if I have the chutzpah and desire to ask anything of God when I see him, it would be why He allowed Satan to become the Prince of this world. However, I think I know the answer to that question….He didn’t; our sin placed him in that position. I’m beginning to have some unsettling thoughts about our democratic system of government, and I’m not talking about the Electoral College or popular vote or who’s in office. I believe the democratic form of government is probably the best of any man-created (centered) form of government. God’s chosen people were never perfect, but they were closer to perfection when God was their theocratic leader. But things went progressively downhill when they insisted on an earthly leader (King), like their neighbors. There is clearly a lesson in that for us as well. The founding fathers & designers of our democratic form of government tried to do, what we as individuals so often try to do; i.e., add God to our agenda instead of letting God BE our agenda; thus, controlling our lives perfectly. Any form of government that doesn’t acknowledge God as the true ruler and King is destined to fail, including U.S. democracy and I think we’ve seen this for at least 50-years in this country, but we are now really beginning to reap the bitter harvest. And, we seem to be so vested in this governing system, that we’re absolutely blind &/or delusional about the failure that is right in front of our eyes…..kind of like the Pharisees were to their Messiah during his visitation. Have mercy!
gagirllive on February 1, 2017 at 4:20 pm
Hi, Kim. No surprise that we disagree on this, sister. In fact, I was expecting to be challenged about what I shared. As I stated in my first post, this passage has been one of contention for a long time, and I don’t believe that you nor I will solve it once and for all. Even within the perspective that you hold, there is hot debate about the Christian’s response to secular government authority. I realize that my take on this does not follow the traditional thought and teaching as found in most Christian circles, but I will try to shed a little bit more light on why I believe as I do. When I study a book of the Bible I try very hard to find out everything I can about the context, as I’m sure you do too. With this passage, in particular, I think we have tried to make it fit into our Western way of thinking that has stripped us of understanding the original Judean context that Paul intended. Paul is writing to the “beloved of God called to be saints”, not the general population of Rome. This would be both Jewish believers in Messiah and Gentile converts together in synagogues in Rome. I think that sometimes in our minds we have the early believers divorced from synagogue life too soon. At this writing, Jew and Gentile believers in Rome were worshiping together, often still in synagogues, and were trying to navigate and reconcile their new life in Christ with their Jewish culture. In fact, from the beginning of the book up until this chapter Paul spends considerable time dealing with internal community issues that were happening between the groups, trying desperately to bring clarity about the powerlessness of the law for righteousness and the power of Christ’s grace. So if that has been his discourse, my question to you is why would he take a left turn at this point and digress about Roman government rule? Furthermore, if Paul was advocating obedience to secular authorities, why would Caesar have cause against him? Why would Caesar have him beheaded for promoting obedience to Rome? It doesn’t make sense. The reason Paul was beheaded was because he was promoting a rival government—the Kingdom of Heaven. He was teaching them that as believers in Messiah, they have a new citizenship and live under a whole different authority. Notice in the passage that Paul specifically addresses believers to be subject to “governing”—not government—authority that “God” has placed over them. This is why I believe that the passage is instruction for Christian obedience to (at that time) synagogue authority and not Roman or civil authority. We do not realize that ALL OF LIFE for the Jew (saved or unsaved) centered around the synagogue. Those converted continued to meet in the synagogue, but as you can imagine, there was a great deal of internal community conflict because many of the Jewish believers wanted to divorce themselves from their Judean roots, though they had a very Judean Messiah. Paul was trying to get them to at least show respect to their religious authority—the synagogue rulers. The believers of that day were not trying to start a new religion (Christianity) but were trying to establish a place for a more complete or perfect one (Judaism in light of Messiah). They were still very Jewish, and Paul was trying his best to teach them how to live out their faith in Messiah in light of the Jewish authority over them. As for the sword mentioned in this passage, I don’t believe it is the sword of Caesar that Paul writes about but rather the sword that symbolizes the authority of the synagogue rulers to inflict punishment. Paul experienced this very thing himself when he testified “Five times I have received from the Jews forty lashes minus one.” (2 Cor. 11: 24) From the Jews—the synagogue rulers. As for taxes, I do believe Paul was referring to the Temple Tax. The Gentile converts were hesitant to send their contributions to the temple, but Paul encouraged them to do so because it would be a witness to the synagogue rulers that in Christ Jew and Gentile are indeed one new man. I absolutely do not believe that this passage supports Christians giving allegiance to secular government. In the hands of the ungodly, this chapter, erroneously interpreted, has had devastating effects on entire cultures and people groups. Not everyone in positions of authority are God-ordained. Yes, our sovereign God sets kings up and puts them down, but many of them are not ordained and certainly not put there to watch over our souls. Some of this is man’s doing (within the permissive will of God for His purposes). Hosea 8: 4 says, “They set up kings, but not by Me; they made princes but I did not acknowledge them.” We have no mandate to obey any authority that directs us to violate God’s authority. So, in context, I believe that Romans 13 is about the religious authority of that day. In principle, I believe it applies to the Church in that we are to submit to our spiritual authorities (husband, pastors, elders,, etc.) But even in that we should take care that we are following those who follow Christ. Whew! This is ridiculously long and might not even get posted because of it. If you stayed awake while reading it, I hope it made some semblance of sense. I might be dead wrong in my understanding, Kim. I am certainly open to correction. My prayer is always, “Teach me Holy Spirit.” I do appreciate you, Kim. Thanks for sharing with me today.
hsnpoor on February 2, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Wow! I’m thinking we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one; but, because you are you, Ms. GG, I’m going to take the same track as Ms. Monica and do some further investigation, with your comments in mind. That’s the kind of thing I love doing. Just have to find/make the time….
gagirllive on February 2, 2017 at 2:13 pm
Sounds good, Kim. I read a historical book in conjunction with my study on Romans that shed a lot of light on this. There’s a lot to be missed when we don’t know the context of the Jewish culture of the day. Whatever Paul meant in Romans 13, I believe he meant it for that particular community of believers and maybe we shouldn’t be making a doctrine for all time out of it. We have to be careful to discern between precepts and principles. I just don’t see how those verses fit the Roman authority of the day, especially verses 4 and 6. “Gods minister to you for good”. Rome? Hardly. I don’t know about you, but I’m quick to filter everything I read through my Western mindset. That makes reading a very Jewish-background book difficult. I can’t say that I’m 100% convinced on this interpretation of Romans 13, but it does makes more sense to me than the traditional take. I’ll never stop being a student, that’s for sure. All in all, I’m so glad we’re on the same team, sister. (I just might be shooting at the wrong goal, and I need you to turn me around! 🙂 ) ♡