Epistle to the Romans
Chapter 13 – Fulfilling The Law
Romans 13:1-7 The State
In the last chapter, we talked about God’s Will and His law of love in general terms. In this chapter we will be more specific in how we should deal with church and state. It is interesting to note that, within one generation, the relationship between church and state had become an urgent problem. Over the years, it has remained a problem as Christians tend to ignore the state until circumstances force them to choose between God and government. Typically, we have either granted our leaders too much latitude or we have refused to allow them the necessary authority to accomplish their jobs.
Christians belong to two communities, and they have loyalties to both. Declaring the separation of church and state resolves nothing. The state will have predominance in some areas and the church must have predominance in other areas. As we have seen today, the areas are intermingled and cannot be separated without the destruction of one or even both church and state. The early Roman government provided order and justice to facilitate the daily lives of all its members. Soon it became obvious that the government can persecute as well as protect. The early church decided that in situations where the rights of conscience were invaded, the state must be resisted, but in all other matters the Christian must accept and discharge the obligations of his citizenship. We may not want to change our form of government, but we must agree that all decisions and policies are subject to careful scrutiny in the light of the insights which the kingdom of God inspires.
Inevitably the Christian becomes involved in a conflict of loyalties. Normally it is the responsibility of the Christian to faithfully accept his obligations to the state and conscientiously discharge them. However, there are times when he must declare that it is his duty to serve God rather than men. Because of recent history, Paul is more concerned about man failing into anarchy under the guise of following individual consciences. It is obvious that God created order in the natural world. It is obvious that he intended man to live an ordered life as well. Authority that promotes order is operating within God’s design. The work of the Holy Spirit has always been to banish chaos and bring order out of disorder.
If public order is part of a divine purpose, it is a serious thing to set ourselves against it. If we prefer our private aims to the well-being of society, we are destroying the values our community exists to serve. At the same time, we must be ready to protest the actions of the state in matters of conscience. The upright man should respect the law but he need not fear it. If he is afraid, something is wrong – either with the state, or with his fulfilling of his proper role.
The state could be considered nothing more than a necessary nuisance or a useful convenience. We must all recognize that it has little religious significance. It can reward moral behavior and it can punish immoral behavior. We must remember that it is not bound to a moral authority. It can choose to limit itself to moral issues or it can choose to define its own moral values. It is only bound by the moral values of those who select the leaders, provided they give voice to their beliefs and concerns.
If we accept membership in a community, we are bound to accept the duties of membership as a matter of conscience. Those duties include the financial support of the state. Financial support of the state is not a purely secular issue. Good citizenship is part of God’s order and requires us to seek the good of the entire community.
In summary, Paul affirms we owe obedience to the state for several reasons. Civil government is a provision of God for our good and willful defiance is disobedience to God. The state exists to uphold the right and overthrow the wrong. The faithful citizen need have no fear; the evildoer naturally is afraid and should be. We must pay the taxes without which the government cannot function and concede it the honor and respect which are its due. Citizenship requires subordination as a matter of prudence.
Romans 13:8-14 Fullfillment
The only permissible debt in life is to love one another. No matter how a life is lived, we should owe no man any thing which he can rightfully claim from us. This could also be phrased as “pay what you owe.” We work to discharge our obligations faithfully and fully. Still this is just the beginning. Paul says we should do more if we are to love one another. Christian teaching about love is unique in that it is not one thing among many that we should be doing. It is THE one thing we should be doing above all else. It has precedence over everything else except loving God. Love is the greatest promoter of humility and the greatest enemy of Pride and Selfishness. It is a cure-all for mankind.
If we love one another, we will not commit adultery. We will not kill. We will not steal. We will not bear false witness. We will not covet. All of these are covered by “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” If we love someone we cannot injure them in any of these ways. The general principle contained in the Summary of the Law operates very well in concrete and particular cases. Its scope is wide enough to include every demand and it is relevant to any situation that may arise. Love is universal and yet always particular. Lucy in the Peanuts cartoon says, “I love mankind. It’s the people I can’t stand.” Love demands both.
We can hardly grow to adulthood without picking up some prejudice. As adults, we reconsider and make our own decisions. For many of us, some things were accepted that have not been reviewed. This leaves an unconscious, ill-defined feeling that might still harbor prejudice. This explains why hatred still exists between races, faiths, classes and virtually any group assembled for any purpose whatsoever. One of the most important disciplines of the Christian life is continually re-examining our relationships with both individuals and groups. We need to insure they meet the requirements of the Summary of the Law. If they do so, they will be fulfilling the Law.
Eschatology is the study of last times. Over the last two centuries, eschatology has been overshadowed with the expectation of endless progress. However a close look at the ability of man to destroy mankind and the earth warrants a closer look. Jesus expected His disciples to live in anticipation of “the end.” He also told them they would not know when it would come. Paul believed that the present age would end in the return of Christ and that it was close at hand. How many people do you know that live as though the end might come soon?
The early Christians expected Christ to come very soon and when he didn’t, they faced a crisis. People could have lost faith because their expectations were not met. The resolution was in the understanding that Christ had already come in the form of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, that was the form most needed by the disciples. Based on that approach, Paul is preaching a “New Life in Christ” as opposed to the “New Age of Christ.” When human life lacks a goal it becomes inconsequential and all serious issues are postponed. We need the sense of a divinely appointed end to provide the urgency to heed the Holy Spirit. It is only when time becomes precious that we really make the best decisions, particularly in our relationships with others.
We are to abandon the darkness and the works done under its cover. Our habits become so imbedded in our lives they are like the clothes we usually wear. We don’t even notice them. Yet, like our clothes, our habits can be changed. We can put on the armor of light where all things are revealed. We can develop habits that will withstand the scrutiny of all. That is not to say it will dispel the criticism of all. Jealousy will exist in some but it has no place in our own hearts.
What is conduct worthy of a Christian? How do we live our faith and show it to others in the clear light of day? Do the people you admire have a native dignity and a transparent integrity? Is love a part of their inward discipline?
The appropriate incentive for a Christian life is, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” St. Augustine cites the last two verses of this chapter as the Scripture that changed his life forever. They provided the only incentive he needed.