TOPIC: PERFORM YOUR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES
TEXT: Romans 13:1-8(NKJV)
13:1. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
13:2. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
13:3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
13:4. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to [execute] wrath on him who practices evil.
13:5. Therefore [you] must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
13:6. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
13:7. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes [are due,] customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
13:8. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
STUDY:
I once heard of a church that had bypassed the PHCN meter to enable them use electricity without paying for it. Sometimes, people do this because a member of that church works with the power distribution company, or they have one form of ‘connection’ or the other. I have heard of wives of officers in the military or para-military driving without vehicle or driver’s license. And the boast is that “no one will harass you; you’re the wife of an officer.” While one may get away with such because of ‘connections’, it is not right for a disciple of Jesus to behave so. We do the right things because we belong to the Lord, who is not disorderly; we do the right things because it is the right thing to do; we do the right things because we fear God and for the sake of our conscience. Verse 5 of our text stresses it: Therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake. Note the word ‘must’; it is actively playing a crucial role there. So, you must do what is good (v.3); pay your taxes or custom duty, if you are importing a car for example (v.7). In summary, strive to be a Christian in your attitude, in terms of your civil duties. Ensure your driver’s license, car license and any other license you’re supposed to have, is up to date. It is Christian to do so. Remember that Jesus was not disorderly; as a matter of fact, He paid his taxes, and even paid for Peter.
ACTION: Rise and make amends where necessary!
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