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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (14-5-1978 Strandtown Baptist Church)
In considering the implications of a consecrated life, we
have touched areas where we expect the practice of consecration to take place
– how to behave in church, service, with fellow men, and with enemies. But
consecration has not finished yet, because it extends to our life as citizens.
We do not cease to be citizens when we become converted. Christians are citizens
of two worlds, hence have duties to both worlds.
Paul was not contracted out of
his responsibilities or privileges, as a Christian missionary. He was glad of
the protection of the Roman authorities. They saved him from being lynched. He
had, as a Roman citizen, the right of appeal to the Roman Emperor. He used these
rights in the furtherance of his Christian missionary work. At the same time he
showed respect to civil power, and did his duty as a citizen. So here Paul
underlines our duties as citizens, and they are counted as part of consecration
to the Lord. Not an optional extra, nor a bonus we give, but part and parcel of
Christian life.
We are citizens as well as church members. So we are to do duties in both directions equally conscientiously. V.1- 7 speaks of duty to the state, and v. 8-10 speaks of duty to fellow citizens.
The state is a divine institution, ordained by God. It is
God’s will that society be organized under various human governments. The
source and sanction of civil government is God Himself.
Though governments vary, the
principle behind them is to promote the good and suppress the evil. No
government is perfect, and it is easy to find fault. But however bad or weak, no
government aims to favour wrong as wrong, and punish right as right.
The existence of human
government is God’s will, and rulers are described as “God’s ministers”
(twice used in this passage). They are God’s servants for our good. The ruler
has the right to bear the sword (v.4), i.e. right to inflict the death penalty.
He executes God’s wrath on men that do evil. To resist him is to resist God.
Therefore authorities exist to
enforce law and order. They have the right to do what we, as individuals, are
not permitted to do. We are forbidden to execute private vengeance, and
forbidden to take law into own hands as individuals. But what we are unable to
do ourselves, the state can do for us. It is there to restrain evil, promote the
good, to prevent society from falling under anarchy. Imagine what life would be
like if no police, no laws except the law of the jungle, no government. How
grateful early missionaries were for peace of Roman Empire and for its
protection of them.
To extend this principle –
just as the state has right to restrain evil-doers and protect the innocent in
society, so it has the same duties in face of enemies and destroyers from
outside. Protection from internal and external enemies. Therefore right to have
army as well as police force. Surely here is one answer to the pacifist’s
case.
Not only does the state preserve
order and prevent anarchy, but it also confers on us other benefits. Wide range
of services, which individually we could not enjoy. Supposing we had to supply
our own water, light, sewerage, education for children, social security, public
transport and roads. These are only obtainable when men agree to live together
in one state and under one government, which organizes life. In the light of all
of this, we have a duty to the state.
Cannot enjoy all the state
provides and still refuse all responsibility to the state. No man – least of
all a Christian – can take everything and give nothing. Therefore the
Christian, above all men, is bound in honour to be a good citizen and to take
his part in all duties of citizenship.
Hence Paul says be subject, be
obedient, be loyal. Do not try to disassociate selves from society. Do not opt
out. Do not claim privileges and refuse duties. We are bound up with everyone
else in bundle of life and society. In practice, pay everyone their dues. Taxes
to those to whom taxes are due. Revenue to those to whom revenue is due. Respect
to those to whom respect is due. Honour to those to whom honour is due. To be
done regardless of type of government. To be done regardless of the personal
character of rulers.
In year 58AD,when the letter to
the Romans was written, the Emperor was a dissolute young man named Nero,
certainly no model of virtue or purity or kindness. Indeed six years later he
began a vicious and unjustified persecution of Christians – they were burnt,
crucified and torn to pieces by wild animals. That was how he thanked Christians
for their loyalty!
Therefore ought we not to be
obedient and dutiful when we live in a democracy and have a say in the spending
of money, regardless of whether we agree or approve of all decisions of
government or like the private life of the ruler? That does not mean we sit down
and do nothing when things are going wrong. We have a right to protest and
change the government and influence public opinion, and do all we can to alter
what is wrong. Gospel has given us moral backbone to make solitary protest for
truth and against falsehood.
This attitude of obedience and
loyalty to the state is inculcated throughout the New Testament. In the Gospels
– Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s (Mark 12:17) – when
asked if it is lawful to give tribute to Caesar. Also see Jesus paying local
taxes and Temple dues. In Acts, Paul shows respect for rulers, which in turn he
urges on others. In the Epistles, Paul encourages prayers for kings and for
all that are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1ff). Be subject to
principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work
(Titus 3:1). Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man … to the king.. or
governors… Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
(1 Peter 2:13-17).
It is God’s will for us to
show duty, respect, obedience and loyalty. These are Christian obligations as
much as our most spiritual functions. Paying taxes and praying at meeting are
equally Christian responsibilities. If our duties as Christians were fully
realized, what a splendid witness for God – in a day when people live for
self, when the emphasis is on rights, to get not give, and where respect for
authority, patriotism, law and order are dirty words. The Christian is a
faithful subject, law-abiding inhabitant, punctual tax-payer, giver of genuine
deference to government officers.
Reason behind all this is for
conscience sake (v.5). Not because it is wise or because it pays, for this is
teaching of conscience informed by God’s Word. But “for conscience sake”
is spirit and also limit of our obedience. What if the state requires us to act
contrary to Law of God? Higher authority – even than the state – God
Himself. We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). We render to
Caesar what is Caesar’s, but to God what is God’s – this is our supreme
allegiance. C.F. Three Hebrews resisting Nebuchadnezzar’s command to worship
his image; Daniel refusing to pray only to Darius; Christians refusing to
worship Caesar and being thrown to the lions; Luther’s defying words, though
spoken with courtesy and respect, “I cannot do otherwise; so let me God.”
When state exceeds its authority in acting contrary to God’s law, disobedience may not only be a right, but a duty. To what extent? Taking up arms? Matter on which Christians differ – and on which no clear guidance is given. Clearly last resort, when all else has failed. Griffith Thomas said “The Christian will be slow to head a rebellion, but where circumstances absolutely compel, there does not seem anything in this passage to prohibit it.” And Bishop Henry Moule commented “This passage does not pronounce it inconceivable that a Christian under circumstances which leave his action unselfish, truthful, the issue not of impatience but of conviction, might be justified in positive resistance”.
Owe no man anything (13:8)
– whether Christian or not. Do not incur anything which you are unable to pay,
do not live above your means, be able to meet all liabilities, fulfil
obligations, pay bills promptly. Debt is a form of stealing. To pay as well as
pray. A Christian debtor was once heard praying “Lord give us faith, give us
devil driving faith”. His creditor was in the same meeting, and soon followed
with “Amen, Lord, and give us debt paying faith” to himself quietly.
Not only money, we also owe men
the Gospel. I am a debtor (Romans 1:14). Also debtors not to flesh, to
live after the flesh (Romans 8:12). Therefore obligation to live after the
Spirit. Owe no man anything but to love one another… love is fulfilling of
the Law (Romans 13:8).
Always pay debt of love and
remember we cannot discharge this in full. When we love, we fulfil commandments.
As we love ourselves is to be the measure and standard and extent of our love to
neighbour. It trips off tongue so easily. Do we love neighbour as Jesus said and
as Good Samaritan exemplified? When we love neighbour as ourselves, we are
considerate of neighbour’s feelings and welfare. We harm men when we fail to
help them. It is not just a case of avoiding doing harm, but of doing much
active good. Love is not an emotion we may indulge as we please or not. We are
not free to select the objects of our love e.g. the lovable. We must love all
round, without distinction. Every man is our creditor for that debt. Not get his
due from us unless he gets our love. Undying debt.
Is all this too difficult? It may be so, but it is not impracticable because God’s gift of Holy Spirit. He is Spirit of love. If only He controls our life it is not impossible to fulfil obligations. Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us. Therefore love as Christ loved, and live as Christ lived.
