Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Romans 13:6-7 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES FOR HIS SAKE
As citizens of the earthly nation of the United States of America -- who are at the same time citizens of heaven through Christ -- we are called to honor and obey our government for the Lord's sake.
Here Jesus is our great example. He is the eternal Son of God "through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities" (Colossians 1:16). Before Him every knee shall one day bow. Yet He was cheerfully obedient to secular authorities. When asked: "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" He answered: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" (Matthew 22:21). On another occasion He told Peter to go to the lake, throw out his fishing line, open the mouth of the first fish he caught, take out the coin he would find there, and use it to pay their taxes. Recall also the deferential attitude Jesus displayed towards Governor Pilate during His trial on Good Friday morning. All this He did as our substitute under the Law, to keep it perfectly for our sake in love.
What the Savior demonstrated during His life, He enjoins of us, His blood-bought people. He counsels us to obey our government leaders gladly for God's sake, to pay our taxes cheerfully. When we speak about elected officials in the State He bids us to do this respectfully because they are God's servants for our good, through whom He intends to shower us with His blessings (law and order, peace and security, public services like hospitals, schools, libraries, roads and bridges, to name a few).
And when we strive -- in the Spirit's strength -- to do these things, it's all part of letting our Christian light shine that others may see the fruits of our faith in Jesus and glorify our heavenly Father.
