Romans 13:1-7 (NLT)
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all
authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed
there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what
God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not
strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong.
Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they
will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if
you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to
punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing
those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid
punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
“Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For
government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give
to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who
collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.”
So with Tax Day fast approaching, we need talk about
this last paragraph in Romans 13:1-7. Paul says that we honor the government set
up by God when we pay our taxes. We should give them because it is the right
thing to do. We should pay our taxes because as God also tells us in verse 8, we
should not owe anything to anyone. So we must pay the taxes so that our
governments can function.
So in these days of struggle and confusion, make sure
that you are making the right decisions when it comes to following God. God’s
work for you may be to stand up and become a part of the system to effect
change. Some of us may just stand up and speak our minds. But all of us need to
treat those in authority with respect and honor. Let’s do that this weekend,
and for the rest of our lives.
Think about that today, and God bless you.
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