What Paul is saying in Romans 13 is that Christians have a distinct responsibility as well as a definite advantage in the area of good citizenship. The christian citizen's first question is not: "What are my rights? Am I getting justice?" His first concern is: "Am I living by the law of love?"
By concerning yourself with the positive "do's" of love, you automatically avoid entanglement with a long list of "don'ts" that is necessary to insure justice for all. Obeying the law of love throws a completely different light on good citizenship. You obey institutional rules and regulations not because you primarily want to avoid trouble, but because you seek the common good of all. You obey traffic laws not to stay out of jail or traffic court, but because you respect the lives and property of others You pay your taxes and fees not because you fear a possible chat with the IRS, but because you believe in government and financing its operation.
The Christian who lives by the law of love does not see authority as a threat. Nor does he see imperfections or even gross errors in government as reason to riot or demonstrate unlawfully. The Christian is not a bystander in his society. Actually he should be in the thick of the battle for justice, morality and the right. But the Christian operates with a different motive. He seeks justice for all, yes, but justice is primarily a negative concept, based on avoiding or preventing the doing of wrongs to others. The law of love goes beyond justice. The law of love seeks the positive doing of good to others. It is the only law a Christian needs.
But perhaps Paul's most important reason for advising support of the Roman government was because he saw Rome as God's tool for keeping the lid on an otherwise hopelessly explosive situation.
Paul believed in using the "pax Romana" (the Roman peace that prevailed during his time) to the advantage of the gospel. As long as there was peace, even a rigidly (sometimes cruelly) enforced one, Paul saw greater opportunity to spread the gospel. Whether Rome knew it or not, in Paul's mind Rome was helping him do his missionary work. And for this reason, the wise Christian would always try to help, not hinder the state.
Fritz Ridenour, How To Be A Christian Without Being Religious
By concerning yourself with the positive "do's" of love, you automatically avoid entanglement with a long list of "don'ts" that is necessary to insure justice for all. Obeying the law of love throws a completely different light on good citizenship. You obey institutional rules and regulations not because you primarily want to avoid trouble, but because you seek the common good of all. You obey traffic laws not to stay out of jail or traffic court, but because you respect the lives and property of others You pay your taxes and fees not because you fear a possible chat with the IRS, but because you believe in government and financing its operation.
The Christian who lives by the law of love does not see authority as a threat. Nor does he see imperfections or even gross errors in government as reason to riot or demonstrate unlawfully. The Christian is not a bystander in his society. Actually he should be in the thick of the battle for justice, morality and the right. But the Christian operates with a different motive. He seeks justice for all, yes, but justice is primarily a negative concept, based on avoiding or preventing the doing of wrongs to others. The law of love goes beyond justice. The law of love seeks the positive doing of good to others. It is the only law a Christian needs.
But perhaps Paul's most important reason for advising support of the Roman government was because he saw Rome as God's tool for keeping the lid on an otherwise hopelessly explosive situation.
Paul believed in using the "pax Romana" (the Roman peace that prevailed during his time) to the advantage of the gospel. As long as there was peace, even a rigidly (sometimes cruelly) enforced one, Paul saw greater opportunity to spread the gospel. Whether Rome knew it or not, in Paul's mind Rome was helping him do his missionary work. And for this reason, the wise Christian would always try to help, not hinder the state.
Fritz Ridenour, How To Be A Christian Without Being Religious
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