2001.12.16. Washingtonians(28) - Rev. Young Jin Cho

Christians and Governing Authorities

Romans 13:1-7

A few decades ago in Korea, there was an article in newspaper which reported a debate on the reform of constitution which allowed President Park, Chung Hee for the second term. As a result of this reform, the rights of many citizens were suppressed. The opponents of this reform were composed of mainly the church leaders whereas the proponents were the theologian scholars. The proponents' basis was from today's reading (13:1-2); "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities and authority itself was established by god." On the other hand, the opponents disagreed that this reform was God's instrument (13:4). And they challenged ; " If we were to submit to all forms of authorities, how about submitting even to N. Korea's dictator, Kim, Il Sung ?" Friends! How do you all think? How should the Christians respond to the authorities? What is God's will in this matter and how should we react to His will?

I

Today's reading (13:1-7) instigated numerous controversies in church history. It brought advantages to kings and dictators. It was used as a mean of justification for their actions, and also it assisted many nations and authorities in enforcing the obedience. Anyhow, let's explore today's message.

The first two verses (13:1-2) advise the Christians to obey to the governing authorities. Before we explore further, let's find out the background situation behind Paul's proclamation. At that time there were radical Jews who disliked the Roman's authority and did not hesitate to use forces or terror in order to topple the authority. Under this circumstance, Paul urged to submit to the authorities. There was one concern that among the Christians, there could have been some defying the Roman's authority because they believed that Jesus was their King. For that reason, the Christians were labeled (Act 17:7) as the people belonging to a King other than the Roman emperor. With the knowledge of prevailing situation at that period, Paul recommended the submission. In today's reading, we can find his motives of proclamation:

(1) First of all, the authority came from God and the authorities that exist have been established by God. We clearly confess that God is a master of our history and the rise and fall of history depends on Him. From this assertion, we can agree that the authority originated from God and He established it. Then, it is suffice to say that even a selection of a president could be God's establishment. However, as to this claim, a question can be raised; was Hitler established by God? There were many authorities who committed atrocities. Were they established by God also? It is not easy to answer. In response to those questions, we need to examine God's approval from two different aspects:

First, God showed approval because of its goodness and secondly, although God was not pleased. He accepted. For example, in case of Adam and Eve, it was not in God's plan for them to eat the fruits of tree. They had a choice to eat or not to eat but they chose to eat. It was not God's desire but He accepted their action because He respects our freedom and the choice of selection. God does not, intentionally, establish dictators and tyrants. When they emerge in the course of unstable human history, God does not eliminate them, instead He accepts and waits. Under this context, we may say that the authorities came from God.

(2) The second reason for the submission is found in 13:4 "He is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." From authorities, God has expectations. They are God's tools punishing evils and establishing goodness. Therefore, we must submit to them. There is a saying that a dictatorship is a better choice than an anarchy because at least an orderly society can be maintained and individual's interest as well. In case of extremely oppressive dictatorship, an anarchy may be a better choice. Because the authorities were called to do good, Paul urges to submit to the governing authorities.

(3) The third reason is because of conscience. Let's read 13:5, "Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of punishment but also because of conscience." What does it mean? We submit to the authorities not because we are fearing the reprisal but because of our conscience of righteousness. Today's reading reminds us to submit to the authorities. Paul proclaims that disobedience to authorities is same as disobeying God. And although we confess that Jesus Christ is our King, we must submit to the governing authorities.

II

Let's be more specific. What does it mean obeying to the authorities? When we accept this command, how should we live?

(1) First of all, we must obey the laws of the nation. The law is the basic standard to be followed to maintain orderly societies. Therefore, submitting to the authorities who bring orderly system, is an indicative of obeying the laws.

Of course, America is not perfect but there are not many nations whose people obey the laws seriously as this nation. One concerning problem of the Korean-Americans, including the Christians, is not respecting the laws with sincerity. It may be attributed to a transfer of our previous habits when we crossed the Pacific Ocean. Speaking of obeying the laws, Korea has a lot of room for improvement. In Korea, an individual's decree may surpass the laws. If the law-abiding citizens are considered naive whereas the opposite characters are bound to become successful and prosperous, then we have a big problem.

According to the recent news from Korea, corruptive scandals are surfacing bearing nicknames, such as x-gates. If the Korean-Americans wish to gain respect in this world, we must become sincere law-abiding citizens. If we are Christians, we must obey the laws.

(2) Paul emphasizes that another manifestation of obedience includes paying taxes honestly. During the LA riot (4.29), many Korean merchants were victimized but were able to receive some compensation. On the other hand, there were significant numbers who could not receive the compensations because the amount was based on previous tax payments. In relationship with the authorities, God's will mandates honest tax payment. Witness of our faith should begin from tax payment.

There is one more important aspect that we need to remember in dealing with the authorities. That is praying for the nation and for the leaders. Even though it is not mentioned in today's reading, the prayer recommendation is echoed in many part of the New Testament. Paul sent a letter to Timothy: " I urge, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." In today's situation, the leaders of this country need prayers more than ever. When the President Bush met with church leaders prior to his speech on Capital Hill, they asked him what they could do for him. He asked them to pray for him. As stated in today's reading, we need to pray for the leaders of this country so that they can govern with righteous mind and be used as God's tools for eliminating evils.

III

We, the Christians, ought to obey the laws sincerely, pay taxes honestly and pray for the leaders without ceasing. There is one untouched topic; that is when the leaders become unrighteous and suppress our faith, do we still submit to them? The bible describes many incidences of disobedience. In Exodus, the king of Egypt, Pharaoh, ordered to the midwives to kill every male new borns of Israelites but they did not obey in fear of God. During the time of slavery in Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were required to bow in front of pagans but refused king's order. Daniel, refusing king's order, was put into lion's den. In book of Acts, high priest and leaders threatened the disciples to discontinue evangelizing but they refused and replied (Acts 4:19) " Judge for yourself whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God." In past history we can find many reform movements caused by the disobedience to the authorities. As Christians, how and when do we respond?

(1) First of all, there is one thing that the Christians must remember: our ultimate obedience is to God. Of course, we should obey the laws of the land but the nation cannot be the target of our ultimate obedience. The Christians have dual citizenship; citizens of the nation and that of God's country. When the confrontation on obedience emerges between the authorities and God, we must choose God's side.

In this aspect, we are different from the people of secular world. Many seniors to our faith became martyrs because of their ultimate obedience to God.

(2) In modern days, the Christians have means of converting the leaders as God's instruments through voting mechanism. The old reforms in history were achieved through the revolutions but in today's time, many bloodless reforms are achieved through votes. Therefore, the Christians, as citizens of a nation, must actively participate in voting and we need to examine whether the leaders are playing the roles of God's instrument. Vote accordingly! This is an important responsibility of today's Christians to the nation.

(3) The third point I like to convey is when the Christians defy the authorities, the method of defiance must be proper. Because of its appealing goal, the use of violence is not consistent with the biblical teaching. The crucified Jesus shows the good example. He died unjustly, and if he wanted, he could easily over turn the trials of the Roman authority and subdue them. But he remained silent without resistance. He did not abandon the love even in front of death. Our resistance should adopt His image. Somehow, it may appear to be powerless but this form of resistance is powerful and revolutionary (revolutionary subordination). Why is it so? It is because we believe God's sovereignty and His control of this world with righteousness. Also, we believe His love that response to the cries of righteous people. Friends! We may be inflicted with loss and even death from resisting but we should not forget that our life on this earth is not all there is. Our success and failure will be judged by God. We may lose our lives from resisting without witnessing blossom of fruits but our contribution will not be fruitless, for we have tomorrow in God's control.

Many years ago, I happened to be in Montgomery, Alabama attending a seminar, I was interested visiting the sites of civil right's movement. I did see the church served by Martin Luther King and the site where "Rosa Parks" refused to relinquish her seat in a bus to a white person. At that time, black people were not allowed to occupy any empty seats in white's section. When she occupied an empty seat, she was asked to move. Her resistance produced flaming impetus of the civil right's movement. This small incidence in a bus became the pivotal force in eliminating the segregation signs of "white only" posted in buses, restaurants, and restrooms.

Rev. King's non-violence civil right's movement became well known. He accepted beating, imprisonment and rejected violence, instead replied with love. This excerpt came from a part of his sermon entitled LOVE YOUR ENEMIES:

"We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us whatever you will and we still love you. We cannot in all good conscience obey your unjust laws, because non-cooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with God. So throw us in jail and we still love you. Bomb our homes and threaten our children, and we still love you. Send your hooded perpetrators of violence at the midnight and leave us half dead, and we still love you. But be assured that we will wear you down by our capacity to suffer, and one day we will win our freedom. We will not only win freedom for ourselves; we will so appeal to your heart and conscience that will win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory." Really, it was a precious message. Resistance without abandoning love is nobility. The Christians should submit to the leaders but when the authorities violate God's will, one must resist by God's will also. We may be victimized but will see the ultimate victory not only on this earth but also in heaven. Why is it so? It is because God controls our history and even today He is with us directing our path.