Our Debt to Authority

Passage

Romans 13:1-14

Sermon Summary

In general, Christians should submit to civil authorities, for three reasons: because God rules through them, because it’s an extension of love, and because Jesus is coming back. The primary exceptions are when civil authorities contradict God’s law, and when they contradict themselves. Only the Gospel of of Jesus can give us the strength to submit. The death of Jesus overruled the greatest injustice in history, and the resurrection of Jesus fulfills God’s design to rule the world through human agents. When we “put on Christ” (v. 14), we can resist the selfish works of darkness and build up the world

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. Do you tend to submit to authority or to resist it? How has your temperament, your upbringing and your spiritual development shaped your posture toward authority?
3. Is it hard for you to believe that God can work through flawed, even wicked, leaders? How does the cross help you?
4. What is one specific “debt of love” (v. 7) that you personally owe during this election season? Name it, and ask God to give you the strength to pay it.
5. Consider the connection between hedonistic “works of darkness” and healthy submission to authority. How might your growth in godly self-control make you a better citizen of both the City of God and the City of Man?

Resources Consulted:

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley
• Paul for Everyone, NT Wright
• The New Dictionary of Theology, ed. Sinclair Ferguson
• Bilical Critical Theory, Christopher Watkin
• Christ's Kingship an Couseling (article), JBC 38-2, Carly Robinson
• Discovering the Joy of a Clear Conscience, Christopher Ash
• Political Visions and Illusions, David Koyzis
• Democracy and Solidarity, James Davison Hunter
• The Righteous Mind, Jonathan Haidt
• Rediscovering Political Authority in an Age of Expertise (article), Brad Littlejohn

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