Romans 13:1-2

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 94 Chapter 13:1 – 14

“Our relationship to our Goverment.” - Part 1 Verses 1 – 2

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
1. This verse carries two profound and most important points in it, (1.) … For there is no power but of God…” and (2.) … For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

a. First the only true power that exists is that of God. There are no powers outside of God.

b. All other powers are ordained by God. Yes this includes President Obama

c. More on these two points later.

2. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers…” Some equate this to Gods power and say it means Gods power however I believe it is speaking about the powers of the world. We are to be subject to them or to respect them and obey them is we can without disobeying God.

a. Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” – If mans laws of man overrule Gods laws then we are not to respect the laws nor obey the laws.

b. Let’s not forget what Paul had just told us in Verse 18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

c. If the law tells a doctor to abort an unborn child he should not, it the law tells a Pastor he must perform marriage ceremonies for Gays he should not, and etc. etc. etc.

d. God is to never be disobeyed. Just because our government makes something legal it does not mean mans law overrules Gods laws.

3. “…For there is no power but of God…” God is the high power, His power is unlimited, and He gives power as He chooses.

a. There is a purpose of God for every nation on the earth, there is a purpose for every world leader on earth, there is a purpose for every president who has ever been elected, and what ever that purpose is only God knows, but trust me He knows and He has a plan for everyone of them.

b. This does not mean that all of these world leaders are doing Gods will (as in doing what is right) but rather they are doing Gods will to bring about the predestinated will of God.

c. Only God knows will be president in 2012 but God does know because it is His choice and God has a purpose for that selection.

d. Daniel 2:20-23 "Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: (21.) And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: (22.) He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. (23.) I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

e. Every detail of creation does as God commands, they are just to ignorant to understand that.

4. “…the powers that be are ordained of God.”

a. All powers that be are ordained of God, all authority is given to them as God chooses, He can set them up or take them down, He can cause them to do His blessed will if He so chose.

b. Daniel 4:34-35 “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: (35.) And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

5. How does this affect us as Christians to know this information?

a. It tells us that God is in charge, and it making our respect for them even in their ignorance easier.

b. It tells us not to fight battles we cannot win, remember God has allowed certain sins like abortion, gay marriage, and etc. not for His glory but that He may one day get glory from it.

c. He could if He chose to turn any mind and heart toward Him. The president, the Supreme Court, or any other power. If God wanted abortion stopped He would stop it, He has chose to allow it for future glory, even as distasteful as it is to Him and us as Christians.

2. Verse 2 “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
1. First, do not get ignorant and think that eternal damnation will result from resisting the powers of the government. Salvation is not based on works. This is temporal judgment which will come from the government or it could come from God. There is a punishment to disobeying the government. So God has warned us.
2. “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God…” Matthew 22:21 “They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” – pay your taxes or go to jail, this is temporal punishment. Besides God commanded that we pay them.
3. We are not to resist laws unless they cause us to conflict with Gods laws.