REPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP

PS ARLENE STUBSS

Responsible Citizenship

•Romans 13:1-7

•Matthew 5:13-16

Responsible Citizenship

“Freedom and power bring responsibility. The responsibility rests upon this assembly, a sovereign body, representing the sovereign people of India”

- Jawaharlal Nehru, August 14, 1947

Responsible Citizenship

•I. The Christian and Government – Romans 13:1-7

•Government is ordained by God.

•“The authorities that exist have been established by God” – v1

•Rebellion against authority is rebellion against God.

•“He who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.” – v2

Responsible Citizenship

•Rulers are servants of God.

“For he is God’s servant to do you good.” – v4

Responsible Citizenship4. Two reasons why Christians must obey civil authorities. v5

1. For wrath’s sake – If we fail to obey, rulers have power to afflict punishment.

2. For conscience’s sake – A true believer ought to obey because of conscience – a higher motivation.

Responsible Citizenship

5. Pay what you owe! v7

Responsible Citizenship

•We are commanded to pay what we owe:

taxes, revenue, respect and honor.

Responsible Citizenship

II. Conflicting obligations

Both Old and New Testaments recognize that there may be times when religious sphere and political sphere conflict.

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine” – Daniel 1:8

Responsible Citizenship

•“We must obey God rather than man.” Acts 5:29

•Civil authorities are not to take over the authority of God. Whenever they do, we must always obey God.

Responsible CitizenshipIII. The Christian’s influence

Christ describes the influence of Christians by two metaphors:

1.Salt – “You are the salt of the earth.” v.13

Property of Salt: prevents decay. As believers, we are to penetrate society so we can prevent it from decaying.

Responsible Citizenship

2.Light – “You are the light of the world.” v.14

•Light penetrates darkness. It is our responsibility as believers to reflect the light of the Gospel by the way we live.

•You must live so “that men may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” v.16