Daily Devotions
The Christian's Response to a Wicked Government
Reading for February 28: Deuteronomy 23-25
Weekly reading for February 25-March 3: Romans 11-16
Title: The Christian's Response to a Wicked Government
Let every soul 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
How do you submit to an evil government? How do you pay taxes to those who are only interested in stealing all your rights? How do you respect a leader who is completely self-centered; a crook, a thief, and a liar; rumored to be mentally unstable; bordering on narcissism?
That’s what early Christians were called on to do. In a few short years after the church in Rome read this letter, Nero would do unspeakable things to Christians living in the capital. They were about to become food for lions and kindling for fire!
It is in this context that the apostle Paul (who would also die in Rome during this same persecution) exhorted the Christians to submit, pay their taxes, and, most shocking of all, respect these wicked and oppressive leaders.
How could they do this?
They could only do this by following Jesus. They could find hope in the resurrection. This hope sends Paul soaring earlier in chapter eight, as he asks a series of rhetorical questions:
- "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
- "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?"
- "Who is to condemn?"
- "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
Nothing. Not Caesar. Not the Empire. Not all of the powers of evil combined. We are more than conquerors!
So render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. He can have them. They're worthless anyway. That currency doesn't work where we're going.
Father, keep us from anxious and fearful handwringing over wicked and corrupt governments, as well as rebellious and disrespectful attitudes and actions against our rulers. Help us to trust in Your love for us and the hope of the resurrection.
