Romans Chapter 13 Vs. 5

 

Submission to the Authorities

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. Rom 13:5

Wherefore ye must... Christians need to, out of a sense of obligation to God to keep a clear conscience to follow him, not merely obey for the sake of avoiding punishment from the civil authorities.

Acts 24:16 “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.”

not only for... Obey civil laws, not only to escape punishment, but to preserve a clear conscience.

2Cor. 1:12 “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”

but also for... You have heard the expression “let your conscience be your guide”. If you are a Christian, that is very good advice. The Christian has the laws of God written on the fleshly part of his or her heart. We are guided by what is pleasing unto God.

Psm. 37:31 “The law of his God [is] in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” There will come a time when we will not be taught at all of man, but will be totally taught of God.

Heb. 10:16 “This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;”

We can see from this that the heart of mankind is his conscience.

A Christian has two reasons to be submissive to civil authorities — to avoid possible punishment (lit., “the wrath”) and to heed his conscience, which prods him to obey God’s ordinances.