Respecting Authority (Even at Tax Time)

Good evening my friends.  I want to talk with you about something that may be considered a “hot topic” in our society today.  That is how God expects us to treat our the authorities.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities (Titus 3:1).  Why?  Because all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God (Dan 2:21).  So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.  The authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing what is right, only in those who are doing wrong.  Would you like to live without fear of the authorities?  Do what is right, and they will honor you (I Pet. 2:13-14).  The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good.  But if you are doing bad things, of course you should be afraid of them because they have the power to punish you.  I’ll say it again, they are God’s servants sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.  So you must submit to them, not just to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

An pay your taxes, too, for the very same reasons (Matt 22:21).  Government workers need to be paid.  They are serving God in what they do.  Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority (Luke 20:25).

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another (John 13:34).  If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.  Remember, the Commandments say, “You must not commit adultery.  You must not murder.  You must not steal.  You must not covet.” (Ex. 20:13-15, 17).  These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Lev. 19:18).  Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

This is all the more urgent, because you know how late in the game it is; time is running out.  Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed (I Cor. 7:29-31).  The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.  So remove your dark deeds just as you would dirty clothes, and put on the shining wardrobe of right living.  Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for everyone to see.  Don’t participate in the darkness of wild, drunken parties, in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling, gossiping, and jealousy.  Instead, clothe yourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.  And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your unhealthy desires.

Have a wonderful evening,

Paul