Devotional Romans 13: Submission to Authorities and Love Reflection on Romans 13: why we should respect authorities according to the Bible, the command to have no debts, and the duty to love one another. Topics: Devotional, New Testament.

Devotional Romans 13: Submission to Authorities and Love

Today’s devotional is found in the book of Romans, chapter 13, and this is what happened.

Synopsis: In this chapter, Paul warns, in his letter addressed to the Romans, that we must respect authorities and speaks about the responsibility we have toward others.

Observations

These were my observations:

1. Let us respect authorities. This is something that is sometimes hard for us to accept. But it is exactly what we should do as Christians—submit to the law and authorities of the state where we live. This is very difficult because we often find ourselves governed by leaders who, in our opinion, are incompetent. They are not leading as they should, and many times they are much worse than incompetent—they are truly evil. But according to Paul, God placed these people to lead us because we repeatedly disobeyed His commandments. For there is no authority on earth that God has not established. Furthermore, God will not allow ungodly people to lead people devoted to Him. That is to say, if we find ourselves in a situation where we are being led by terrible leaders, we are to blame for it. And if we disobey authorities and do not accept them, we are rebelling against God (Romans 13:1–2). Therefore, if we want to have better leaders, we must do what is good so that God may spare us from this trial (Romans 13:3).
2. Owe no one anything except to love one another. This is one of the phrases Paul wrote to catch the Romans’ attention. Jesus told us before His crucifixion that we must love one another and that this is the second most important commandment of all. For all the Law and the Prophets hang on the following commandments: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–40). So, we must stop holding grudges, betraying one another, getting angry at others, practicing sex outside of marriage, bearing false witness against our neighbor, coveting other people’s belongings, etc. For this is the responsibility that Jesus, sent by God, left us toward others. And if we truly love Jesus Christ, we will also keep His commandments in His honor (John 14:15).