Proper 18: Epistle, Romans 13:1-10                               

Romans 13:1-10

So many questions. Valid questions. Varying opinions. So many opinions. When we lived in Oregon one of our favorite day trips was the 70 miles between Portland and the Oregon Coast and Highway 101. One of our favorite stops was a land formation on the coast, part of the coastline actually. It had actually been, the locals said, a rock tower of sorts. A stone sentinel if you like. Over time the roof collapsed and portals were created on the tower’s sides. Water from the surf would surge into what was now popularly known as “The Devil’s Punchbowl.” Two, three, four cycles of waves filled the bowl and WHOOSH! The water would explode out the top of the bowl and the process would begin again. 

It’s a bit the same as landing on the thirteenth chapter of Romans. Surgings from all sides. Restrictions abound and once in the midst of the mix of opinions, that same WHOOSH occurs as the surf of conclusions about this difficult passage seek a place to rest. Like it's ocean counterpart, the surging, the give and take, never ceases. That’s just where we find ourselves as Christians in America today dealing with the interworking of the Two Kingdoms, as Luther called them, that we have never before experienced. Government and Grace. Church and State. Word of God and word of men.

“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” (Romans 13:1). That seems like fairly clear instructions. What’s the rub? God, the Governor of the Universe sets people in place to rule the kingdoms of men under himself. Recognize it. Acknowledge it. Live with it. Amen. But wait a moment. With such cut and dried direction that is ably worked out in the next verses, what is the struggle. Well think of Jesus, with the context being money saying “You cannot serve two masters.” The early followers of Jesus stood against the state authority of the day declaring, “We must obey God rather than men.” It’s kind of where the Christian mind, especially the American Christian mind goes first. Americans have no King. Christians truly have no King save one. The One.

Government and the governing authorities are God’s gift for good. They are given to mankind for the protection of those who do good, and the maintenance of an arena where people of good will may live out that will. And under the best of circumstances we as Christians have no problem submitting to the rules of state. But what about when the state loses its way? When the government itself rewards and protects the evil doer and calls the good into question and punishes it, there is a real challenge. Difficult? Yes. And no. There is the real difficulty of living under compromised leaders, but the Christian always remembers there is an Ultimate Ruler. The good rule of God never subsides, is never weakened by the evil of men. Even under immoral human government the Christian is to seek to honor his or her King and in so doing living with a hope to influence as salt and light. The beauty of the martyrs comes to mind here.

If you haven’t read Romans 13:1-10 in a while, do so. It is challenging. It is demanding. It is the Word of God to those first Roman Christians and by extension to us. Both groups of recipients are living under the most powerful earthly rulers of their respective day. And our ancient brothers and we now, are living in submission to the same great King. Our place, our call is to pray that He would bring His Kingdom to whatever realm in which we find ourselves here. His Kingdom, His will and His Name are our primary concern. Lord, walk with us. May we obey this word and all your Word to your honor. No matter who sits upon earthly thrones. Amen!