Romans 13 reminds me of the Hippocratic Oath. That is the physician’s creed, often shortened to, “First do no harm”. It includes a code of ethics for medical doctors in their treatment of the most vulnerable. Today’s lesson is a prescription to Believers. Paul begins, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established”. This is not a political statement. Paul was falsely accused, arrested, beaten, and jailed, often without any proof; and yet Paul adds, “whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted”. Ultimately God has authority over all and will accomplish His purposes through both good and bad leaders. Instead, Paul urges us to participate in uplifting activities, “do what is right and you will be commended”. We often romanticize resistance, but there is greater power to produce positive change when many people are doing good. Speaking to those in rebellion, Paul adds, “if you do wrong, be afraid” because those in authority are God’s “agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer”. Rebellion against authority often comes at a cost. Paul’s simple instruction is that the individual must willingly submit to God’s authority “not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience”. The purpose of the conscience is not to make us feel bad, but to lead us to repentance.
Next Paul ponders the question of “why you pay taxes”. He explains, whether they know it or not, “the authorities are God’s servants”. This only makes sense if you believe God is sovereign over all. Paul instructs his followers to keep their promises and commitments, “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes… if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor”. Paul describes the ideal outcome. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another”. In that sentence, Paul diagnoses the heart of the problem. Satan throws many distractions in our path to keep us from doing the most important thing, and that is to treat others with care, healing and restoration.
Next Paul lists a few familiar commandments, “You shall not commit adultery… You shall not murder… You shall not steal… You shall not covet” and then adds, all of the other commandments can be summed up into one, “Love your neighbor as yourself”. We often justify our inhospitable behavior, but Paul reminds us, “Love does no harm to a neighbor”. In fact, “love is the fulfillment of the law”. Never forget that people will always watch what we do before they hear what we say. In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul wrote “If I speak in the tongues of… angels, but do not have love, I am only… a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). When our words do not match our actions we become noisy hypocrites. The chapter ends with a wakeup call to those delaying treatment. The finality of death is scary. “The hour has… come for you to wake up from your slumber”. Paul writes to those who have neglected their spiritual health. “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here… put aside the deeds of darkness”. The light of day will always provide new perspective on late-night activities. Morning also symbolizes a new start. Paul counsels, “Let us behave decently… not in carousing… drunkenness… debauchery… dissension and jealousy”. Have you struggled between Jekyll and Hyde? There is a remedy. Paul concludes with the one cure that he has tested on himself, “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ”. That begins by swallowing our pride and admitting we too are one of the vulnerable. Are you ready to do your own research? Please examine this verse for yourself: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Friend, is love part of your creed?