Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
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BEFORE YOU LORD WE BOW
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 13: 1-7
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A few personal thoughts …
In our little church, the Romans passage is the Epistle reading for this Sunday. That’s the reason we’re singing this particular hymn then, along with it.
The hymn text was written by Francis Scott Key, who, everyone here knows, wrote the Star Spangled Banner.
The words of the hymn are easy to feel good about. The words of the Romans passage are maybe a little harder — especially as you are filling out your tax form or reading news of dirty work in high places. But that doesn’t mean we get to ignore or soften this passage — to argue that it is out of context, or a figure of speech, or an allegory or vision. It is what it is. If we take God’s clear Word seriously, we take this seriously.
The Roman government was hard on the early Christians. So was the Hebrew government — not to mention the ire they both raised in many others, like the Zealots. So St. Paul was not living in a time of nicey-nicey good feeling about the rulers. And yet St. Paul wrote this.
One way to look at it: even a despotic or careless government is better for us than none at all. Having no government means neighbor against neighbor, with no boundaries or limits. Libertarians might not think they like government, but even they don’t recommend doing completely without it.
Government is a gift of God. That may bes hard to say, but it is biblical. We get to try to help keep it the best it can be, as with the rest of Creation.
God bless our government. And God bless our President.
Something for your Friday
God is the Holy Trinity.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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Prayer of Saint Ioannikios the Great of Bithynia (+ 846)
My hope is the Father, my refuge the Son, my protection the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.