431. Tuesday after Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, let thy word chasten us,
and let it teach us
obedience to thee. Amen.
Romans 13, 1-7. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
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Paul writes this to the Christians in Rome, and teaches them that even such rulers as Tiberius and Nero are ordained of God. The first duty of government is justice; a good ruler punishes without partiality that which is evil, and wields the sword with strong arm for the defense of the oppressed, and for the execution of judgment on evildoers. And such a government is a great blessing; none of us fully understands how much gratitude we owe to God for good and just magistrates and other persons in authority. Unhappy is the people of whom it is said: “I will give children to be their princes, and women shall rule over them.” All this does not, however, make void the truth that “the powers that be are ordained of God.” If a people suffer under wicked rulers, it is the duty of Christians humbly to accept the correction which God administers; for every soul is to be “subject unto the higher powers,” reverence them as God’s ministers, whom the scripture for that reason also calls “gods,” and be subject to them for God’s sake. Our modern doctrine is that governments and magistrates are not the servants of God, but of the people, commissioned by the people to execute the will of the people. Let Christians beware lest they be deceived! Above the people is a higher Power, to whom rulers and subjects are answerable. Let our human authorities never forget that their power is of God; let them always remember this, in order that they may serve God with a good conscience, and let us never forget that those in authority over us are ordained of God. Let us bear this clearly in mind; so that we are subject for conscience sake!
Willingly we then render tribute and custom to whom they are due. All things of God and for God. We show all respect to those in authority over us; taking a course widely different from that followed by the ungodly men who “despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.” Subjection for God’s sake and respectful behavior are the exact opposite of that servility which is the brother of impudence, both being the children of deceit. When authority commands we cheerfully obey; we bear wrong, but do not perpetrate it; — for we “obey God rather than men.”
Lord, help us to be subject to every ordinance of man for thy sake. Give us the true spirit of liberty and of obedience. Amen.*
Some trust in horses trained for war,
And some of chariots make their boasts;
Our surest expectations are
From thee, the Lord of heavenly hosts.
Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear;
Now let our hope be firm and strong,
Till thy salvation shall appear,
And joy and triumph raise the song.
[Church Book 497; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.