A Series on Romans - #19
Speaker Notes
Clement’s Prayer for Rulers
Give harmony and peace to us and to all who dwell on the earth,
just as You did to our ancestors
when they reverently called upon You in faith and truth,
that we may be saved,
while we render obedience to Your almighty and most excellent name,
and to our rulers and governors on earth.
You, Master, have given them the power of sovereignty
through Your majestic and inexpressible might,
so that we, acknowledging the glory and honor that You have given them,
may be subject to them,
resisting your will in nothing.
Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, harmony, and stability,
so that they may blamelessly administer
the government that you have given them.
For you, heavenly Master, King of the ages,
give to human beings glory and honor and authority
over the creatures upon the earth.
Lord, direct their plans
according to what is good and pleasing in your sight,
so that by devoutly administering
in peace and gentleness the authority that you have given them
they may experience your mercy.
You, who alone are able to do these
and even greater good things for us,
we praise through the high priest and benefactor of our souls, Jesus Christ,
through whom be the glory and the majesty
to you both now and for all generations
and for ever and ever. Amen.
Romans 13
13.1 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. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 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. 4 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. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 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.
Love Fulfills the Law
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Day Is Near
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
David is a Theologian and Ethicist.