Last Sunday in Havana, Cuba - President Fidel Castro - whose communist Cuba was once officially atheist - Fidel Castro gave the key for the new Saint Nicholas Cathedral - to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I - the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians. In turn, the patriarch honored Castro by giving him the church’s Cross of Saint Andrew the Apostle which is given to supporters of the Orthodox faith.

When I read that in Chronicle I asked myself why? What happened that Castro would be so nice to a Christian. Then farther down in the article was this, “Shortly before the gift exchange, the patriarch spoke out against the U.S. trade embargo of more than four decades against Cuba.” Said the patriarch, “The blockade of peoples and countries is an historic error.” (1)

Which makes more sense. The Greeks get a church and Castro gets an anti-U.S. endorsement.

This is an election year. Before us we have a plethora of candidates and issues - bond issues - deficits - the definition of marriage. April 15th is coming and we all have a date with the IRS.

Romans 13:1-7 is one of the most important passages in Scripture that deals with our relationship - as Christians - our relationship with the government. Our citizenship is in heaven. But, we live here on earth. We need to get along with the government. We need to understand that relationship.

As we look at these verses there are three truths we want to focus on. The first is here in verse one: The truth that Government Is Established By God.

Romans 13:1: Every person - all of us - without exception - is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

Whenever this verse gets quoted there’s a struggle that takes place in our minds and hearts. It goes something like this: “Well, if God is really in control of government - if He establishes these governments - then what about people like Stalin and Hitler and Idi Amin and Saddam Hussein and so on? Look at all the terrible things that governments do to their people. God is a God of love. Why does He allow all these things to go on?” Does that sound familiar?

If we could extend that thought a bit further - remember who Paul is writing to - the church of Rome - home of Nero. Nero - the Roman Emperor - was depraved - insane. At night he lit up his garden parties with Christians burning alive on crosses. He burned Rome and blamed the Christians. He had Christians arrested and sent to the coliseum to be torn apart by wild animals. The Apostle Paul was martyred in 64 AD - beheaded at Nero's command. In verse 1 Paul is not just making some flippant statement. This is a statement made with great sensitivity, understanding, and wisdom.

In order to understand what Paul means by government being established by God there three things here in verse 1 that we need to understand. First - It’s important that we understand government is a power established by God.

The word for “authority” - here in verse 1 - the word for authority is the is the Greek word “exousia” which is sometimes translated “power.” Paraphrasing verse 1: “We’re to be in subjection to governing power. Because that governing power is established by God.”

Jesus comes before Pilate and Pilate says to Jesus, “Don’t You know that I have the authority - the power - to release You, and I have the authority - the power - to crucify you?”

Jesus replies - what? “You wouldn’t have authority - power - over Me, unless God gave it to you.” (John 19:10,11)

Second - It’s important that we understand that there’s difference between power and authority.

A couple weeks ago we planted three fruit trees in our back yard. We got the trees from the nursery. Dug the holes. Put the trees in the holes. Then we filled the holes in with a combination of mulch and dirt. The mulch was a special formula that is suppose to enrich the soil and help our trees to grow.

Now, let’s say we went to Albertson’s and bought some Tide detergent. And instead of mulch we used a combination of Tide and dirt with our trees. Would anyone be surprised if our trees died? Or at least produced some really strange tasting fruit?

We have the power - the ability - to put Tide on the trees and the authority to do so - because in the way God has created things the tree is in subjection to us. It’s really important to understand that distinction. Think about having the ability to do something - power - and what we area able to do with that ability - authority.

When we misuse our authority and put Tide on the trees - who should get the blame? The manufacturer or us? So often we blame God because governments use the power He gives to them by choosing to wrongly exercise their authority over their people - to abuse their people.

R.C. Sproul has said this, “Power naturally goes with authority. But authority does not always accompany power.” In other words, there are times when governments step out from under the authority God gives to them. Nero, Stalin, Hitler, and so on - as government they all had power established by God - but they acted outside of His authority.

Third - in understanding what Paul means here in verse 1 about God establishing government - it’s important to understand that God sets limits to the exercise of power and authority.

We don’t see all of what God is doing. Let’s be honest, we could make a really long list of all the things we don’t understand about what God is doing - why God allows certain things to happen and not others.

But, there is something we do know. In his second letter the Apostle Peter tells us that God at any time - past - present - future - that God could end evil - could end governments that are misusing God given authority - at any time God could bring all of this to an end - set up His government of justice and righteousness. And yet, God holds back. Somehow God uses even what is meant as evil - uses it according to His purposes - according to His love and grace and mercy so that everyone will have an opportunity to hear and respond to His Gospel. (2 Peter - especially 2 Peter 2:9)

Paul’s bottom line point here in verse one is that we need to recognize that government belongs to God. He establishes it for His purposes. And that each of us - in one way or another - lives in subjection to government.

Second truth in our getting along with government comes in verse 2 that is that Government Is God’s Administrator of Justice.

Verse 2: Therefore - because God is the one who establishes the power of government - Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God - when we refuse to subject ourselves to government we’re resisting what God is doing - and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

Let’s be careful here. Civil disobedience is well within our rights - especially when a government steps out from under its God given authority - and requires us to do something against God’s will - or requires us not to do something - so that to obey the government would be disobeying God.

Peter was brought before the Jewish Council in Jerusalem for disobeying the council’s order not to teach about Jesus. An example of government going beyond its God given authority. And Peter said what? “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 - see also Acts 4:19,20)

But as long as a government is acting within the will of God we’re to not resist its authority over us. This may be a stretch for some, but over all, government is a good thing.

Look with me at verse 3 - how Paul illustrates this truth: 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; for it is a minister of God to you for good. 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, and avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

Think about this the next time you’re flying down 99 at 80 plus miles per hour. Not that any of us would do that. But if we did - wouldn’t we be fearful - constantly checking our rear view mirror - looking for little red lights.

Drive the speed limit and one day an officer might pull you over and say, “You were driving so well I just wanted to congratulate and encourage you.” Well, maybe not. They’re usually pretty busy. But she might pass by and smile.

When we obey civil authority we can sleep at night. We don’t have to worry about someone breaking down our door with a warrant - dragging us out of bed - and arresting us.

Paul writes that government “is a minister of God to you for good.” In general government protects us from evil. Government preserves the peace and security of our communities. Governments have armies and fire departments and police forces and courts of justice. Government protects us from attacks by enemy powers. Governments protect commerce. These are good things.

Then Paul writes - government “is a minister of God - an avenger who brings wrath.” Which is also a good thing. God gives government a sword. That means that government has a God given right to execute justice. And in some cases - according to the illustration of the sword that Paul uses here - in some cases that means life ending execution.

Then the third truth about our relationship with government - starting in verse 5: Government Is A Servant Of God.

Therefore - because government is a power established by God and has authority to administrate justice - therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath - because we get punished if we don’t - but also for conscience’ sake.

Notice that Paul doesn’t say, “Only submit when a Republican is President.” Or, “Only submit when the Democrats control Congress.” This may come as a shock, but Democrats can be Christians - and so can Republicans. Party relationship - who’s in control of the government - the amount of taxation - what laws are in effect - whether we agree or disagree with certain policies - doesn’t even come close to the importance of our relationship with God.

We submit to governmental authority because our conscience - before God - tells us that it’s the right thing to do. Our relationship with government - always comes back to our relationship with God. Subjection to government is part of our obedience to God.

Verse 6 - Paul’s example of submission: For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing - public employees - teachers - police - soldiers - Ag. inspectors - even mayors - deserve to be paid for their work.

Verse 7: Render to all what is due them; tax whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

There’s a story about a man who had cheated on his income tax over the years and felt convicted that he’d done so. So he anonymously sent a cashier’s check for $100 to the IRS with a note that said, “I can’t sleep. I feel convicted about what I’ve done. So I’m sending you this check for $100, and if I sill can’t sleep I’ll send you the rest.”

The bottom line is this: If we cheat on our taxes we’re dishonoring God. Honoring government officials - even if it’s only respect for their position - honoring them is honoring God. Government is a servant of God.

Thinking through our relationship with government - in praying about this and wanting to challenge all of us to go deeper with this - there are two challenges I’d like to share with you.

First challenge: All this should challenge us to be more supportive of our brothers and sisters in Jesus who live under the power of governments who are not governing under God’s authority. By that I mean our siblings who are being persecuted because they love Jesus.

Voice of the Martyrs - which is a missions organization that serves the persecuted church - Voice of the Martyrs this last month came our with their annual prayer calendar. That calendar lists 44 countries where our siblings - right now - are being persecuted - arrested - tortured - martyred - simply because they love Jesus. Countries where it’s illegal to gather in Jesus’ name. Illegal to speak of Jesus. A death sentence to convert to Christianity. Countries where Bibles and Christian literature and education are scarce and spiritual hunger is insatiable.

From personal contact and from reports that come from our siblings we know that one encouragement that is universally coveted by them is the knowledge that they’re not alone. That the church outside - is not so distracted by our own comfort - that we care for them - pray for them - are deeply concerned for them. That we supports them.

We need to be challenged to be involved. Monthly we put an insert from Voice of the Martyrs in our bulletin to help us remember our siblings. How many of you have seen it? We need to take that and read it and pray and respond to the concerns listed there. On the back of the Sermon Notes you’ll find contact information for Voice of the Martyrs and Christian Freedom International so you can contact them - get on their mailing list. Get involved. (2)

Second challenge: Thinking about us here in the USA. In 1776, 99.8% of our population professed to be Christian. (3) Today we live in a post-Christian society. It is arguable that we’re moving increasingly towards being an anti-Christian society.

It’s so easy for us to slip into a comfortable Christianity while our society slips away from Christ. We know this. We’ve heard this. But, what are doing about this? It’s so crucial for us as Christians to be engaged in our communities and government. To vote - to speak out - to work proactively - to pray - to fill out our tax forms honestly - to be model citizens - to be supportive and honoring of those in government who are worthy of honor regardless of what political party they’re affiliated with - to use what freedoms we have to make a difference.

We do these things - we do them not just because we want to get along better with the government - but because we honor and respect God who establishes government. And to live this way means that we’re in a place where God uses us - by His power - to be an influence in our community and beyond for Him.

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1. San Francisco Chronicle, 01.26.04, page A6
2. Christian Freedom International
    P.O. Box 535
    Front Royal, Virginia 22630
    800-323-2273
    Voice of the Martyrs
    P.O. Box 443
    Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74005
    918-337-8015
3. David Limbaugh, Persecution - How Liberals Are Waging War Against Christianity, page 347