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. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:1-8
“If it is the fact that men bearing the name of Romans are found to be enemies of Rome, why are we, on the ground that we are regarded as enemies, denied the name of Romans? We may be at once Romans and foes of Rome, when men passing for Romans are discovered to be enemies of their country. So the affection, and fealty, and reverence, due to the emperors do not consist in such tokens of homage as these, which even hostility may be zealous in performing, chiefly as a cloak to its purposes; but in those ways which Deity as certainly enjoins on us, as they are held to be necessary in the case of all men as well as emperors. Deeds of true heart-goodness are not due by us to emperors alone. We never do good with respect of persons; for in our own interest we conduct ourselves as those who take no payment either of praise or premium from man, but from God, who both requires and remunerates an impartial benevolence. We are the same to emperors as to our ordinary neighbors. For we are equally forbidden to wish ill, to do ill, to speak ill, to think ill of all men. The thing we must not do to an emperor, we must not do to any one else: what we would not do to anybody, a fortiori, perhaps we should not do to him whom God has been pleased so highly to exalt.”
Tertullian of Carthage (155-220) in his Apology XXXVI.
I shot the new header photo on Kowloon side, looking across to Hong Kong island, at lunch after my preaching on Sunday. Do let me know if you want to listen to the message when it’s available.
In the middle of the second century, persecution against Christians started to grow. This brings to mind the question of how Christians should act in the face of such adversity.
Here, Tertullian echoes Paul to share how we should respond. He uses a powerful idea. I feel it is relevant because my country, America, is filled with contention rather than love.
Though many in the culture follow this pattern, we must not wish ill, do ill, speak ill, and think ill of others. This kind of behavior does not reflect the “true heart-goodness” befitting followers of Christ.
And because there are many places where I travel that there is hostility toward Christians. People often ask me how we should respond to unjust or harsh treatment. Paul and Tertullian offer an answer.
Generosity appears as showing “impartial benevolence” further defined as acting “the same to emperors as to our ordinary neighbors.” Is there a person on which God wants you to lavish impartial benevolence?
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