Subject To The
Governing Authorities
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for
there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have
been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has
appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers
are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no
fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval;
for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should
be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant
of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not
only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For the same reason you
also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very
thing. Pay to all what is due them – taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to
whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is
due.
Romans 13:1-7
You can try to solve problems either with religion or with
legislation. Which works? You can’t legislate
morality. Religion is the obvious answer. The divine approach is used by people
who love Him. We do need both. Both have their places. We need a God-ordained
government to care for the people. People also must have a proper view of God
and His guidelines for life.
No matter where we live, we must pray for those in charge,
asking God to provide direction. Then we must also work and pray that
individuals – one by one – see their need for Jesus and their dependence on the
Lord.
By combining two views we can make a
difference.
Through prayer, the public business of
the nation
can become the private business of the Christian.
Our Daily Bread –