RESPONSIBILITY TO THE GOVERNMENT

THURSDAY, 21ST SEPTEMBER, 2023.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE

TOPIC:  RESPONSIBILITY TO THE GOVERNMENT

MEMORIZE: “1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” 

SCRIPTURE READING: Romans 13:1-8.

“1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 ¶ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

EXPOSITION:

All government is ordained of God. Our duty to pay taxes and honor authority is commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ, “"Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" 21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."”  Matthew 22:19-21. Render to Caesar his own and to God His own. “Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 ¶ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:5-8. For conscience’ sake, we are to pay taxes and honor the state authorities. 

Be subject to principalities and powers.  “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” Titus 3:1-3.   

Submit to every ordinance of man, and honor the king -  “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:13,14, 17. 

WHEN NOT TO OBEY 

We ought to obey God rather than man. “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29. 

Obedience to God overruled the forced worship of Nebuchadnezzar’s image - “"If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. "But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:17, 18. 

As Christ’s followers, we cannot take part in any political activity, war, rebellion, the shedding of blood nor work in munitions, missile or bomber factories, or any occupation in support of the military effort. “We have men placed over us for rulers, and laws to govern the people. Were it not for these laws, the condition of the world would be worse than it is now. some of these laws are good, others are bad. the bad have been increasing, and we are yet to be brought into strait places. But God will sustain His people in being firm and living up to the principles of His word. When the laws of men conflict with the word and law of God, we are to obey God, whatever the consequences may be.

PRAYER POINT:  Lord, I choose to obey and honour you no matter the situation or consequence In Jesus Name.  

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Isaiah  33 – 35.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word. 

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