Be Good Citizens

“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 (ESV)

November 7^th will decide which Presidential candidate will take office. 

If political polls are even somewhat reliable, we have a strong indication that nearly half of our population will either “experience the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.” 

Political division isn’t anything new. Just ask the apostle Paul. 

He was a resident in Rome, the imperial capital and seat of the empire’s civil government. His readers knew of Rome’s greatness and shame under Nero’s leadership. However, Paul recognizes that although he was a resident of Rome, his real citizenship was in heaven (Philippians 3:20). 

Our hope (regardless of the outcome of our upcoming election) is that God will not be surprised by the results. I find comfort in knowing that God sees beyond polls and is entirely aware of the outcome before we know it. 

Paul makes this clear.

“For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” - Romans 13:1b 

Even Jesus recognized this truth. When He was delivered to be crucified, He said to the authorities: “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11a). 

Paul makes clear that, although citizens of a heavenly kingdom, we are subject to governing authorities on this earth. 

Justin Martyr writes, 

“Everywhere, we [Christians], more readily than all men, endeavor to pay to those appointed by you the taxes, both ordinary and extraordinary, as we have been taught by Jesus. We worship only God, but in other things we will gladly serve you, acknowledging you as kings and rulers of men, and praying that, with your kingly power, you may be found to possess also sound judgment.”^⁠1 

William Barclay reminds us: “It has been the consistent and official teaching of the Christian Church that obedience must be given to, and prayers made for, the civil power, even when the wielder of that civil power was a Nero.”^⁠2

Many in Rome were unhappy with Nero’s leadership, but Paul’s direction is, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” That’s all of us (Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents). 

 Despite this election’s outcome, I pray we will commit to submitting to our authorities lovingly and respectfully and continue to pray for our nation. 

“Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” – 1 Peter 2:13-18 (The Message)^⁠3 

¹ Justin Martyr (Apology 1:17)

² William Barclay, ed., The Letter to the Romans, The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia: The Westminster John Knox Press, 1975).

³ Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), 1 Pe 2:13–18.

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