The Inauguration and Romans 13

With the Inauguration of Barack H. Obama to the presidency on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009, the nation and, indeed, the world waits with eager anticipation on the type of leader our new president will be. Mr. Obama enters office with a myriad of domestic and national security challenges facing the government. The problems are so systemic that it is a possibility that the new president will demand a recount of the November election! I certainly do not envy the position that our new president will be in come next week.
I hope that most of our church members voted during the last election. You might have voted for or against Barack Obama, but he is our new president come January 20th. And because he has been elected to the office, it is our duty as Christians to pray for him. I feel this a good time to remember Romans 13:1-7. There are many truths found in this passage that helps us understand the truth behind this national event.

1. As citizens of the United States of America and as citizens of the Kingdom and Rule of God, it is our Christian responsibility to be “subject to the governing authorities” (v. 1).

2. The reason behind this command to be subject to governing authorities is not found in the ruler / leader himself, but in the fact that God is in control. Verse 1 of this passage clearly indicates that it is God instituted this authority and no one else. God has providential control over the events of human history. Yes, this election was history in the making, but it did not occur without the direct, willing, active permission of the God of heaven. In this, we Christians should have peace.

3. Whoever resists the authority of the government will incur judgment. Verses 2-5 indicate that this is the case not because of the power, the justice, or the might of the government in control, but because of the power, the justice, and the might of God Himself. We are not to resist and rebel against any earthly authority placed over us that has been instituted by God.

4. One qualification: this does not mean that we are to remain subject when a governmental authority commands us to perform an action that is contrary to the revealed Word of God. This happened in Paul’s own day, when the Roman government at various times in the history of the church would send out edicts throughout the land that all citizens and provisionals of the Roman Empire were to yearly make a offering of incense and allegiance to the Roman Emperor, claiming him to be LORD. Christians were forced to either say, Kaiser Kurios or Christos Kurios (Caesar is Lord or Christ is Lord). Thousands of Christians were killed in the early centuries of the church because they refused to be subject to the authorities in regards to who was LORD over their lives. This brings up an important point: no human relationship or authority will ever usurp the authority claim that Christ has over you as a Christian. Remember, 2 Corinthians 6:19b-20 says: “You not your own, for you were bought with a price” (ESV) Therefore, we must always serve the cause of Christ over and beyond our allegiances to any human government or organization. This should bring Christians comfort and confidence.

5. Verse 6 also illustrates that we, as citizens of the U.S. and citizens of the Kingdom of God, are to pay our taxes. Why? because, those in authority over us are, according to Scripture, servants or ministers of the will of God. This reminds me of Isaiah 10:5-19, where Isaiah prophesizes judgment on the arrogance of Assyria. Although Assyria regarded their victories against Israel as testimony to their national supremacy and military excellence, the Word of God shows the Assyrians as simply pawns in the eternal plans of God. God used an evil and pagan empire to His purposes to punish His own people and to carry out His plan for the world. The United States and its leaders are the same type of servants and ministers. They are simply vessels used by God to carry out His divine decree. This should give all Christians hope, because we know that God has a plan for this country, this state, this county, this city, this church, and our families.

Therefore, on January 20th, as President Obama takes the oath of office, some of us will be worried that his agenda will be detrimental to the future of our country, while others may be heralding this as a dawning of a new progressive era. Nonetheless, all Christians must all realize who truly is in control and pray to our loving Heavenly Father, that he will watch and care over Mr. Obama for the next four years and that God’s will be done. Amen.