Weekly Devotional - August 10

Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the

same;  for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it

does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath

on the one who practices evil. Therefore, it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.  For because of this, you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.  Pay to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

Romans 13:3-7

Romans 13:3-4 serves as a foundational scripture regarding essential Christian ethics,

particularly in relation to capital punishment and military engagement. God has entrusted civil authorities with the power to use lethal force to uphold the law. A clear illustration of this can be found in Genesis Chapter 3, where Adam and Eve, after their banishment from the Garden, would have faced death by a flaming sword had they attempted to return. Thus, when God grants authority for the sword to be wielded, it serves a purpose beyond mere deterrence. Similarly, a nation that honors God is obligated, as a last resort, to wield the sword against evil.