“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” ( Romans 13:6-7).
I took my tax papers to my tax preparer this week. The news wasn’t good. I usually get a decent amount in tax refund and this year it looks like I have to pay. My first impulse is to get upset. What happened? The new tax laws require less withholding so I came up short.
The Bible is clear that we are to pay taxes. Government has been established by God (see Romans 13:1) so who am to complain about it? In these times our government leaders seem to want to use our money in ways I don’t approve. I am glad to live in a country that (so far) gives us the right to elect our leaders. It is becoming more important to pay attention to how our government leaders serve, where they stand on important issues, and how they vote on legislation. We can then decide if they deserve our vote for re-election. We can also send messages to them about the issues at hand. Thanks to email and the telephone this isn’t hard to do. And we must let our voice be heard!
The Apostle Paul moves from the Christian’s responsibility toward government (in Rom.13) to the responsibility toward one another in Romans 14. He writes about “passing judgment on disputable matters” and uses examples of eating certain foods and regarding certain days as special. Paul reminds us that all will stand before the judgment seat of God (v.10) so we should not look down on our brother or judge him.
The judging Paul speaks of here in Rom. 14 is not about sinful actions that God has condemned, but rather the choices that people make in good conscience that are not condemned by Scripture. Paul warns us, however, not to offend one another by our choices. If our behavior causes another brother or sister to stumble, then Paul says it’s better not to do it. “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
When Christians speak out against abortion, sexual immorality, or other sins they are sometimes accused of judging. When Christians stand up and speak out against things that God has already condemned, they are not judging. God judges. In Rom. 13:8, Paul reminds us we have a “continuing debt to love one another.” He goes on to say “put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
I must never forget how much God loves people. I must never forget how much he’s forgiven me. I must speak the truth in love. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). I must follow His way, speak His truth, and live His life! That is only possible in His strength and righteousness.
“. . . clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13: 14).
Oh my goodness…I learned these scriptures so early in my life that I rarely if ever think about them…and then…”authorities are God’s servants?” Oh my goodness…okay I will make an attempt to embrace this idea but not without considerable work on my part. I will have to find a place/person for the start…wish me success.
Thanks for the challenge of this post.
Yes, it is a challenge especially in light of the fact that so many of our government servants leave God out of the picture. Prayer is a strong force so we have to be faithful in praying for our government leaders (servants?)!