Romans 13

Read Romans 13.

            Paul’s statement about honoring authorities sounds extraordinary in an American context, where hating on the government is a daily occurrence. It is even more extraordinary in its context. If you flip back to the end of chapter 12, Paul had been talking about doing good to those who mistreat you. Certainly the Roman government was no great friend of the new Christian movement. When Paul wrote this letter it hadn’t erupted into violent persecution yet, but it was on the horizon. Christianity was an illicit religion and highly suspect. Yet, Paul says these authorities are established by God.

            That God would use the pagan nations for His purposes was well-established in the Old Testament. The wicked Babylonians were God’s agent to enact His covenant curses on Israel, and the unbelieving Persians were His instrument for their return to their homeland. God can use even the most unlikely tool to accomplish His purposes. (I always remember how Samson slew 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, Judges 15.) I think American Christian sometimes need to be reminded of this. First off, it means that a government doesn’t have to be a Christian government or even a good government for God to use it. Second, even—perhaps especially—when we’re not thrilled with our government is the moment to be reminded they deserve at least obedience and even better honor as those appointed by God.

            There’s a lot more to talk about in this chapter, but in a contentious day like ours, this one point is enough to keep us thinking all day.