Romans 13:6-8 Sermon Notes

Romans 13:8 (ESV) 8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

What we owe, to whom we owe, to whom we owe what.

Romans 13:1–5 (ESV) Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Romans 13:5 (ESV) 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Be in subjection, God’s Order. His “ministers.” The word here is intentional. (on behalf of, priestly)
v3 Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good
last week’s emphasis part 1 - Avoid God’s wrath, which includes the delegated authority’s wrath, ie the State.
But often that wrath is not enforced, or it is delayed. Criminals get off the hook, for now.
This week’s emphasis part 2 - For the sake of Conscience. – This means your convictions must be CLEAR.
the will must be fortified, (aka courage) to follow through with your decisions.
Martin Luther – “…for to go against conscience, is neither right, nor SAFE…”

How far is the Christian to take this concept? (4 for he is God’s servant for your good.)
When the delegated authority is clearly acting against the will of God or the clear command of God?
Kennth Boa – “The fact that “governing authorities” are human authorities—sinners just like us—is perhaps what makes it so difficult.”
Just before the death of actor W. C. Fields, a friend visited Fields’ hospital room and was surprised to find him thumbing through a Bible. When he asked what he was doing with a Bible, Fields replied, "I’m looking for loopholes."
The Exceptions? – Don’t worry, I got you covered here! There are two.
When the state is demanding to go against God. 1. positively or 2. negatively.
(TO Do something God forbids, or NOT TO do something God Commands.)
Commanded TO DO something God forbids - Exodus 1:15–21 (ESV)
15Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16“When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” 17But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.
18So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” 19The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong.
21And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.
Notice that they were required to give an account. They had to face their decision.
(Clarity of conviction, and the will to stand by your decisions)
This story is repeated throughout history: Herod’s massacre of the innocents,
Hitler’s slaughter of the Jews.
What would have happened if the soldiers opposed? Said no?
Bonhoeffer – Struggled with this, early on. Remember the German church became influenced, infiltrated, controlled.
Most of this will never face this level, usually it’s just in the workplace. (CAIR campaign in FTL)

Forbidden - NOT TO DO Acts 4:13–21 (ESV)

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
In that case they had to make a decision on who to follow. Jesus said to go into all the world…and this is part of the world, isn’t it?
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
Daniel’s issue with the King’s food. Shadrach Meshack Abednego and the golden idol.
Most of this will only face this in the court of public opinion and peer pressure.
Sometimes the workplace (Tré at MACY’s)
Again it’s about clarity of conviction and the will.

* We faced this dilemma during COVID. Hebrews – not to forsake the assembling. Elsewhere to visit the sick.

These types of dilemmas require discernment, so that convictions are clear, 1.) fortifying the conscience and then then 2.) the Christian must be willing to face the consequences of acting that out.

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Daniel 3:16–18 (ESV) 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Jordan Peterson told Mikaela “Never listen to stupid rules.” (and) “Be willing to face the consequences.”
Daniel, The apostles, followed this framework.
Weighted decision. Willing response.
How many Christians willingly faced the stake, the gallows and prisons, because they decided?
Hugh Latimer to Nicholas Ridley
Joint burning of the stake at Oxford Oct 16 1555. “Play the man, Mr. Ridley”

Romans 13:5 (ESV) 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Be in subjection, God’s Order.
Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good,
Avoid God’s wrath, which includes the delegated authority’s wrath, ie the State.
For the sake of Conscience. – This requires clarity of conviction, and will to follow through.

1 Peter 2:13–17 (ESV) 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

“Always let your conscience be your guide” – Jiminy Cricket
Boa, Kenneth – “A conscience is not an infallible guide, as Paul said—“My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent” (1 Cor. 4:4)—but it is a place to start.”

Romans 13:6–7 (ESV) 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
Luke 20:19–26 (ESV) Paying Taxes to Caesar 19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.”
Tiberius Coin

“Tiberius Ceaser, son of the divine, [Augustus], [himself/now] Augustus”

Man is created in God’s image. (Ladies too btw)
25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.
There is the distinction, the clear limitations, and expectations.
The state – is OWED taxes. It supports the will of God in restraining Evil, Promoting Peace.
To GOD – is owed our ultimate allegiance, for we were created in His image.
To others – we ow other things too.
7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Matthew 17:24–27 (ESV) The Temple Tax24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”
Peter if you don’t pay the taxes, you will become an unnecessary target.
Cattle on the thousand hills, all the coin fish in the seven seas… Money isn’t all that important.
Paul goes further with our list of Respect -
Honor - The fifth commandment: Honor your father and mother
Romans 12:18 (ESV) 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
That includes the ministers of government. Don’t give them ammo either.
This includes our family members. Both higher and lower in rank. Parents and children.
Boa, Kenneth - “The way to open doors for the gospel in Rome is to avoid entanglements. We are on a kingdom mission of spreading the gospel, not morally rehabilitating the Roman Empire or its citizens. Obey the emperor and love your neighbors. If you do this you will live at peace and have greater opportunity to focus on the mission of the church in light of the coming end of the age.”

Romans 13:8 (ESV) 8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

We “owe” different things to different people.
Chiefly we owe to God.
He stamped His own image onto us. All that we are stems from him as the root
What do we owe each other? Many different things.
We mentioned that children are owed our protection. Our care and wisdom instructing them in the knowledge of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:3–5 (ESV) 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Even in the closest of unions, among equals, we owe each other our attention.
Deuteronomy 24:12–15 (ESV) 12 And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep in his pledge. 13 You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. And it shall be righteousness for you before the Lord your God. 14 “You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns. 15 You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the Lord, and you be guilty of sin.
Children obey your parents. Husband love your wives. Wives, respect your husbands, Friendships require honesty, lack of flattery. Pastors, owe the people in their care, nourishment from Heaven, God’s Word.
We owe something for everyone. We will get into that next week.

1 Timothy 2:1–4 (ESV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Seccombe, David. – “Nevertheless, as disciples we know that however faithful we may be in keeping the requirements of the law, we are not called to reach some pass mark, but to fulfil the law, to overflow it, to swallow up its ‘thou shalt nots’ with friendship and positive love, just as Jesus did. ‘Love is the fulfilment of the law.’

The shape of Christian life is not arbitrary, especially its love ethic. It corresponds to the very heart of God, which is generous and loving to all that he has made. Indeed love was active even before the creation of the world in the Father’s love for the Son and the Son’s for his Father. Simply because God is love, the new world which he is creating through his Son will be a world of friendship where men, women and children will experience to the full the love that has always been the heart of God, and will return it and extend it to one another. It is the dawning of this new age of the kingdom of God which makes love so appropriate and urgent.”