Weekly Devotional - August 17

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 13:5 underscores the importance of submitting to civil authorities. Our submission is

rooted not only in the fear of punishment for disobedience but, more importantly, in matters of conscience. Why is this the case? Because our inner thoughts are ultimately accountable to God. This implies that even when civil authorities enact laws with which we disagree or that may seem oppressive, we are still called to obedience, provided those authorities do not compel actions that contradict God's law or limit actions that God requires of us. In such circumstances, disobedience is not just permitted; it is necessitated. No one can force someone to sin.