Preschool
God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble (James 4:6).
Obeying Magistrates
Memory Verses
Primary
God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble (James 4:6).
Junior
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble (James 4:6).
Background Scripture: Romans 13
Lesson Scripture: Romans 13:1-8; 1 Peter 2:13-17
Introduction
As Christians, we are to honor and obey the rulers of our land. God blesses a respectful attitude toward our local and national leaders because the authority they carry is within God’s plan.
God is glorified by those who sincerely serve Him and acknowledge Him as sovereign. All authority begins with Him. Pilate asked Jesus, “Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” to which Jesus replied, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:10-11).
The Word teaches that we are to obey secular leaders when it does not conflict with the will of God. Only He knows what the future holds. We may take direction and comfort from Jesus’s final words: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:20).
Key Verse
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work (Titus 3:1).
Lesson Scripture
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.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Studying the Lesson
When Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, he was addressing Jewish and gentile believers who found themselves under Roman rule. They needed direction on how to conduct themselves in their setting. Even before being converted, the Jews had believed in God, so to them, the Roman government was clearly pagan and ungodly, worthy of their disdain. On the other hand, the newly converted gentiles would surely have also despised that from which they had so recently been delivered. They were likely tempted to dishonor the Roman government.
God wanted his people in this city to leave a clear testimony for Jesus. Christianity was a new way of living that was founded in love, first of all for God, and then to one’s fellowman as Jesus had clearly taught. A Christian was to honor those in authority for conscience’s sake and not offer resistance, for to resist the government was to resist God. These rulers were allowed by God to fill their place. The Christian was to pay tribute, show kindness to all, and demonstrate love like Jesus did.
Apostle Peter taught that submission to the laws of the land was for the Lord’s sake. The New Testament church was surely in a challenging time as it faced opposition.
Besides providing direction for the church of that time, the principle of respecting magistrates was being established and has since given direction to the people of God’s kingdom on earth. The Christian’s duty to honor secular authority, be respectful, pay taxes, and obey the laws of the government where he can with a clear conscience is taught clearly in Scripture, making it imperative for the Christian to follow.
Practical Truths for Today
God is sovereign. He rules the world, and all power is his. He is the Author of all authority and life. “In him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). On the final day, “he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen” (1 Tim. 6:15-16).
“Citizens of the kingdom of God must be exemplary members of the community in which they live. Being obedient from the heart to the highest moral code there is (the gospel of Jesus Christ) will certainly be shown by the conscientious respect for the laws of the land.” 1
The mark of the Christian is a quiet spirit. This godly virtue is needed in the world today. Quietness reigns in the heart of the believer who walks humbly with God. In this way of living, the Spirit of Jesus shines brightly through us, leaving a clear light in our communities. The Christian is careful to keep himself separate from political debates and voicing or even harboring strong opinions about an official or policy. These things are of the kingdom of this world, of which he is not a part. The Christian’s heart is to serve God, his brethren, and his fellowmen, being engaged in the peaceful kingdom of Jesus Christ; it is to this kingdom he belongs!
Many times our neighbors know at least in part what we believe, but our witness needs to be clear. The things we do should align with what we say. Conscientiously living the Bible is proof that we believe it.
The Word teaches that disobeying the laws of the land is disobeying God. We are asked to live above reproach. As we “submit [ourselves] to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake,” the ignorance of foolish men is put to silence (1 Pet. 2:13, 15). When we fail, may we remember that the Lord is honored as we honestly acknowledge our faults. By so doing, we are keeping the gospel light alive and bright.
We have many reasons to thank God for the communities in which we live. The majority of us go to bed at night feeling safe, knowing that the local officials generally have the good of the people in mind. We should remember to pray for our law enforcement and all who risk themselves to keep us safe. We should willingly pay our taxes, accepting them as a part we can give for the good of the operation of the country. The national infrastructure and day-to-day order in our communities should not be taken for granted. These blessings have not always been available and may not always be. Those around us should be able to see and feel that we appreciate what our leaders do for us.
Though living unselfishly for God and serving humanity with a kind heart does not always come easily, God will bless our efforts as we freely give ourselves to the good of mankind and the salvation of souls. From our home neighborhoods to the far-off lands beyond the seas, may we continue to offer our “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” (Rom. 12:1). There are many ways to serve without conflicting with the dictates of our conscience.
Youth are called to be a witness of Jesus’s love. As they sincerely minister in song, willingly take part in community service, and give themselves to the opportunities offered through voluntary service units and beyond, God will bless each one. Speak respectfully to the police officer, the immigration official, and to the common man on the street.
All Christians are surely thankful to the many officials who have respected our freedom to believe and worship as we do. May we express that thankfulness by walking with a pure heart so that the testimony of our lives will be clear.
Questions
- What kind of activities can youth serve in that leave a clear peace witness?
- What is a proper attitude when paying taxes?
- How do the four points that apostle Peter mentions in 1 Peter 2:17 tie together?
- When we are vocal about our political views, it is rarely because we feel positively about the government. What damage does it do to our witness when we broadcast our political biases to those around us?
- 1 Bible Doctrine and Practice, p. 242
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).