A Living SacrificeSample

"Let every person 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 ESV)

Remember as we leave chapter 12 of Romans and move to chapter 13 that Paul did not write his letter in chapters. It was one long letter that was later divided into chapters to make it easier to read and digest. So, Paul is still continuing his radical thought that a true Christian is one who lives a radical life as a living sacrifice. He is writing to Christians, some Gentiles and some Jewish like himself, who are breaking away from the Jewish religious leaders, but must continue to live under Roman rule. Nero was the Emperor of Rome during this time. Nero hated Christians and would have many put to death in brutal ways.

In the midst of this persecuted church history, Paul tells the believers to trust God and know that He is still in control, even though they may be tempted to doubt. Though the governmental leaders at the time feared the Christians and the potential for an uprising, little did they know the leaders of The Way, the Christian movement, are telling them to be submissive to the authorities in place, even if they are evil. How can Paul write this?

He can write it because he knows the King, the true King Jesus, who submitted Himself to earthly authorities, even to an unjust execution. Jesus showed us that even though evil thinks it has won, God ultimately gets the victory. We, like Jesus, must live in this sin-stained world led by sinful men, and though it grieves our spirit, we must trust another admonishment from brother Paul,“For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”Romans 8:28 ESV

We will not change this world through the governing authorities, no matter how good we might think they are, nor will a bad person in authority destroy God’s plans. Proverbs 19:21 says,“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”