Romans 13:5-7

Passage

Therefore it is necessary to submit, not only because of wrath but also because of one’s conscience.  For it is because of this that you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God while personally serving in this same manner.  Pay to all that which is owed to them: taxes to the ones who should receive taxes, government duties to the ones who should receive government duties, profound respect to the ones who should receive profound respect, and honor to the ones who should receive honor.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul continues to talk about submission as we progress through this chapter.  However, note Paul’s emphasis with respect to submission.  We don’t just submit because we are afraid of wrath.  That’s equivalent to people saying they only believe in God because they are afraid of Hell.  We submit because we know it’s the right thing to do.  We submit because we know that God and those whom He equips can lead us better than we can lead ourselves.  Submission is a conscious choice we make because we know it is right.

Do you always submit for the right reasons?  When have you submitted for the right reasons of conscience and been better for it?

Second Thought:

As a natural example of submission, Paul talks about taxes.  Paul says that we should pay our taxes, but not because paying our taxes is some divinely appointed commandment.  Rather, we pay our taxes because it is the right thing to do.  We are protected by others who need to be funded.  We do receive services such as roads and running water and those services need to be maintained.  Granted, we can have the debate as to when taxation becomes too great.  But the reality is that paying our taxes is fundamentally sound on a level of conscientious behavior.

Why are taxes a great example of physical submission?  How many of us enjoy paying our taxes?  How many of us pay our taxes begrudgingly?

Third Thought:

The other example that Paul gives about submission is with respect to honor and profound respect.  At first, this might seem like an easy example.  But in reality, how many of us are good at honoring other people?  How many of us are good at giving leaders in our life the profound respect that they deserve?  Are we not quick to think about ways that perhaps we could lead better?  Submission to authorities in terms of honor and respect is often more difficult than it sounds.

Why do we as human beings often find it easier to find fault than to build up?  Why is Paul making a great point in causing us to focus not just on physical submission through things like taxes but also upon emotional and spiritual submission through emotion and relationship?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 13:8-10