Romans 13 The Gospel — Gods invitation to live as citizens of Heaven

Romans 13 — The Gospel: God’s Invitation to Live as Citizens of Heaven

Big Idea: When we receive Christ as Savior, our citizenship is transferred to Heaven — and that new identity reshapes how we live on earth. Christ Focus: Christ is the true King who establishes our new citizenship and defines how His people live under authority, in love, and in holiness. Application: Live in submission, love intentionally, and walk in holiness as those who belong to another kingdom.

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Introduction

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Living in a foreign country requires awareness, intentionality, and respect — you don’t live however you want because you don’t ultimately belong there.

Emily and I have spent a fair amount of time traveling internationally, and I even lived in Portugal for nine months as a child. Unfortunately, Americans often carry a poor reputation abroad. We tend to assume that everyone is either like us — or should be — and we are not always careful to honor the customs of other cultures.

There is an art to living in a foreign country. You don’t lose your identity or your citizenship, but you learn to live in a way that respects where you are — without being offensive or careless.

For example, Emily and I once visited a predominantly Muslim city. It was fascinating, but we were intentional in how we lived. We dressed modestly, even in the heat. We avoided foods that would be offensive, even when it stretched us. At the same time, we didn’t abandon who we were — I still spent time daily in God’s Word and made a point of doing my devotions even when such devotions ran counter-cultural. I wasn't afraid to stand for my Lord, but I made sure that what I stood for actually mattered and wasn’t merely a preference or convenience.

Setting the Stage

In the book of Romans, Paul spends eleven chapters building deep theological truth. But in chapters 12 and 13, there is a clear shift — from what we believe to how we live.

The Gospel is not just something we understand — it is something that transforms us.

Salvation is more than a magical incantation or a few words spoken. Salvation is a transformation that occurs at a point in time when someone places their complete trust in Jesus but has ongoing effects as one grows to be more like the One in whom they trust.

Romans is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to Christians in Rome — the heart of the empire. These believers lived under the power and pressure of Roman rule, likely during the reign of Nero, one of the most notorious emperors.

They understood what it meant to live under authority while belonging to another King. So the question becomes:

• • What does it actually look like to live as citizens of Heaven while still on earth?**

Text: Romans 13, read with each main point.

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Body

**Foreigners** — Christians are foreigners and anyone who has traveled knows foreigners must be careful about local laws (13:1-7).

Christians are not rebels without restraint — we are citizens of a higher kingdom living under earthly authority.

The authority to govern comes from God; hence, we are not outside the bounds of government (1-3).

Earthly authority is not ultimate, but it is ordained by God.

There is a great deal of theology packed into these opening verses. Paul begins with a straightforward exhortation: everyone must submit to the governing authorities. Why? Because they are established by God.

The phrase “governing authorities” (ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις) refers broadly to all levels of authority, both local and supreme — quite simply, those who rule. Likewise, the command “to be subject” (ὑποτασσέσθω) carries the idea of ordered submission and obedience.

Paul’s reasoning is clear: God Himself has placed these individuals into positions of authority. We should not miss the weight of that statement. The Roman government was corrupt and pagan. The Jewish people lived under its rule unwillingly, under a foreign power that did not worship their God. And yet, Paul boldly declares that even this authority was established by God.

We, in the United States, rightly value freedom and liberty, and we should be thankful for them. But we must step into the world of the first century and feel the weight of Paul’s words as his original audience would have.

With careful and intentional language, Paul calls believers to submit to governing authorities — not because they are always righteous, but because they are ultimately appointed by God Himself.

Resisting authority is resisting God’s order (2–3).

Submission is not about agreement, but about recognizing God’s structure.

In verses 2–3, Paul gives two important reasons why believers should submit to government:

- To rebel against government is to rebel against God’s institution. - To rebel against government is to risk one’s well-being.

Let’s begin with the first.

What our NIV translates as “rebel” comes from the word ἀντιτασσόμενος — the direct opposite of “submit” (ὑποτάσσω). Paul is intentionally contrasting these ideas to make his point clear: failure to submit is not neutral — it is active resistance against what God has established.

Now, is there ever a place to resist government? Yes — when it directly contradicts God’s commands. As Peter and the apostles declared in Acts 5:29, “We must obey God rather than men.” But that space is far smaller than many assume. Too often, Christians become consumed with secondary or personal issues while neglecting the primary purpose of authority. But we’ll come back to that.

Now consider Paul’s second reason.

Government, by design, is not meant to oppose those who do what is right. Paul is not claiming that every government is free from corruption or that every ruler consistently upholds justice. Rather, he is pointing to God’s design — government exists to promote good and restrain evil.

This is where we often push back: “But what about…?” And certainly, examples of corruption and injustice exist. If you go looking for them, you will find them.

But Paul’s broader point is simple: live rightly. Pursue what is good. As a general pattern, those who live above reproach have little to fear from governing authorities.

Are there governments that oppress the good? Yes. Is there corruption even in the best systems? Absolutely. But God’s design remains — government exists to provide order and protection. And when we commit ourselves to what is right, we can live without fear.

Government serves a functional role under God (4–5).

Authority restrains evil and promotes order, even when imperfect.

Paul continues in verses 4 and 5. The purpose of government is to support good rather than evil. Paul personifies the Roman government using the feminine μάχαιραν φορεῖ (sword bearer) to picture the Roman government as a woman who is given the weapon and means of enforcing good. And Paul does not mince words; when Rome used the sword, it was acting as an agent of God Himself.

I really want us to understand something here. This is the same Roman government that crucified Jesus. The same government that expelled Jews from Rome because a few Jewish criminals had swindled a wealthy lady (Thielman, Frank S. Romans. Zondervan Academic, 2018.). We are called to submit to government because it is the right thing to do by submitting to the one God has appointed to manage the world in this age.

But what does it mean to submit?

Submission is expressed in real, tangible ways (6–7).

Taxes, respect, and honor are not optional — they reflect our allegiance to God.

Look, we don't like verses 6 and 7; I get it. The reality of verses 6 and 7 is hard to argue with.

Paul argues that we have four obligations in submission to our government.

1. Taxes — tribute paid by subjected people 2. Revenue — taxes paid on property and merchandise 3. Respect — even fear in the Greek 4. Honor

Look, we can make all sorts of excuses, but we need to submit. This doesn’t mean you must keep your mouth shut and cannot speak against injustice, but we owe honor and respect. In fact, I am going to go out on a limb here and say: as Christians, honor and respect need to mark our interactions with government. We have mid-term elections coming up, and I want to challenge you to call out and reject anything that is not honoring and respectful. I would especially encourage you to pick the people you disagree with and make it your goal to show them honor and respect.

Action Step: Evaluate your posture toward authority. Are you marked more by resistance or by respectful submission?

Citizens of Heaven demonstrate their allegiance by how they respond to authority on earth.

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**Enlightened** — Christians know that ultimately love is the key to living as God intended (13:8–10).

Christians understand what the world often misses — love is not secondary; it is central.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the world entered a period historians call the Enlightenment. Its goal was to “enlighten” humanity by replacing what was seen as the darkness of superstition and ignorance with the light of reason, science, and knowledge. As a result, the focus of life began to shift — from eternal salvation to present progress, happiness, and human understanding.

But here’s the reality: the true light of life is far greater than anything the Enlightenment could offer. The true light is found in living as God intended — living now in light of eternity. And at the center of that life is love.

Love is a continual obligation (8).

The only debt we never finish paying is love.

Paul uses striking language here. This is more than a command — it is an obligation, a debt. In verse 7, he has just said to pay what is owed — taxes, revenue, respect, honor. Now he extends that idea and identifies one debt that never goes away: the debt to love others.

Within context, Paul is not forbidding all forms of financial borrowing. That would press the passage further than he intends. His concern is not to give a detailed teaching on finances, but to emphasize that Christians should be people who meet their obligations.

And yet, there is one obligation that can never be fully satisfied.

No one should be able to bring a legitimate claim of unpaid debt against a believer — except this one. Not because we are neglecting it, but because the standard is so high. The love we owe is not measured by human standards, but by the very love of God.

Let’s be clear: this is not a prohibition against something like a mortgage. But it is a call to integrity and wisdom in our commitments. More importantly, it is a call to relentless love.

The point is this: love is a debt we will never fully repay — because we are called to love beyond ourselves, reflecting the very love of God.

Love fulfills the law (9).

Every command finds its proper expression in how we treat others. Jesus, speaking with a Pharisee, summarized the Law in Matthew 22:34-39:

> 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Image: Mathematical Basis

In mathematics, one of the foundational concepts in linear algebra is something called a *basis*. Put simply, a basis is a minimal set of components that can describe something much more complex.

For example, I could give you a long list of directions to describe a location — turn here, go this far, head that way. Or I could simply give you coordinates: latitude and longitude. Those coordinates form a basis — they reduce complexity into something fundamental.

What Jesus gives us is a basis for God’s Law.

Love God. Love others.

And what Paul shows us here is that all the commandments can be understood through that lens. They are not disconnected rules — they are unified in a single principle: love.

Love is the guiding principle of righteous living (10).

Love is not sentimental — it is the defining ethic of God’s kingdom.

Consider the second half of the Ten Commandments:

- Honor your father and mother - Do not murder - Do not commit adultery - Do not steal - Do not bear false witness - Do not covet

Each of these commands is framed negatively — they prohibit actions that harm others.

Paul’s point is simple: if you truly love others, you will not harm them. Love naturally fulfills what the law requires. It moves beyond mere rule-keeping into transformed living.

Action Step: Examine your relationships. Is love truly the defining mark of how you interact with others?

Jesus said we would be known by our love — and then demonstrated that love by giving Himself on the cross.

Citizens of Heaven reflect their King by living lives shaped and driven by love.

This week, make your acts of love intentional and visible. Identify one relationship where you’ve grown distant or frustrated, and take a step toward reconciliation — reach out, listen, and pursue peace. Look for a tangible way to serve someone without being asked: meet a need, give generously, or offer your time. Guard your words by choosing encouragement over criticism, especially in moments when it would be easy to react. Slow down enough to notice people — at home, at work, and in everyday interactions — and treat them with patience and dignity. And each day, ask the Lord to help you see others the way He does, and then act on it. Love is not just something we feel — it is something we intentionally practice.

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**Short-timer** — Christians need to remember that we are nearing the end of our deployment (13:11-14).

We are not settling in — we are preparing for what is coming.

In verse 8, Paul had commanded that we owe no one anything but love. Now, using the phrase “Καὶ τοῦτο” (And this), Paul reaches back to that verse to give yet another reason why love should be made the priority: the time is short.

In military culture, a “short-timer” is someone who is nearing the end of their deployment or service commitment. They know their time is limited, and that reality begins to shape how they think, act, and prioritize. There is often a growing sense of anticipation — counting down the days until they return home — but also a heightened awareness of responsibility. A good short-timer doesn’t become careless; they stay focused, finish well, and avoid unnecessary risks that could jeopardize what lies ahead. Their mindset shifts because they know they are close to something greater, and that nearness influences how they live in the present.

We are always moving toward our ultimate perfective sanctification (11).

Every day brings us closer to final redemption.

The moment someone accepts Jesus as their personal Savior, they enter into a process known as progressive sanctification, a process whereby they are made more and more like Christ until they finally die and are perfectively sanctified. Hence, their salvation — that moment of perfective sanctification — is nearer each day after positional sanctification. The moment of accepting Christ is both the moment of salvation and the start of a process of salvation. Justification is secured, but sanctification is assured.

We are being told in verse 11 that we should love because we know we don't have a lot of time left on Earth. Paul uses the language of waking up to emphasize this. In the Roman world, where light was a premium, people were out of bed and getting ready while it was still dark so that they could maximize the time they had in the daylight. In fact, sleeping in meant still getting up before the sun rose, and 8-9 in the morning was considered late morning.

The idea Paul draws upon is an amazing picture: right now we are working in those early pre-dawn hours, and we need to get up and get ready because the morning light is coming.

Image: Getting up on the morning of a trip

When Emily and I travel, I generally get up early so I can be ready as soon as it is light. Last year about this time, Emily wanted to go to Pella, Iowa, for the Tulip Festival. I told her we could make the trip, but we were going to fly. Sunrise was at 6:30, so we got up before the sun, dressed, and headed for the airport. I got the airplane all ready to go and started the engine. We taxied out to the runway, and the moment the sun broke, we applied power and began our take-off roll.

We need to have that same dedication and preparedness for living our lives with purpose.

The time for passive living is over (12–13).

Darkness belongs to the past — our lives should reflect the coming day.

In verses 12 and 13, Paul continues the metaphor. The night is described as not quite over, but nearly so. In the Roman world, bedrooms were not the palaces we know today, and there were no fancy clothes for sleeping. One rose from bed and entered the world rather quickly, and Paul captures this idea, saying, “get out and get to it.” Put on the proper armor of light. What is that armor? Love.

The whole passage rings with an eschatological tone to me, and what strikes me is the call to put on our armor of light. In context, that must be love. This leads me to a conclusion: what is it we need in eternity? Love.

So what should we be doing? Making ourselves busy with preparations for the day. What does that look like? Not pursuing sin, but rather pursuing the things of Heaven.

Put on Christ and reject the flesh (14).

Holiness is not abstract — it is a daily, intentional pursuit of Christlikeness.

We have a tendency to still sin against God, but there are practical ways we can be preparing ourselves for eternity, and those ways involve Christlikeness.

Paul identifies behaviors like drunkenness, sexual immorality, dissension, and jealousy as “deeds of darkness” that have no place in the life of a believer. Christians belong to the light and are called to live in purity and holiness, especially in light of Christ’s return. The key to this kind of life is to “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ — living in a way that reflects the identity already given at salvation. At the same time, believers must be intentional not to plan for or indulge sinful desires, but instead reject them and pursue a life shaped by Christ.

Action Step: Ask yourself, “What does it practically look like today to ‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ’?”

Citizens of Heaven live with urgency, pursuing holiness as they prepare for their true home.

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Conclusion

Citizenship is not just a status — it is an identity that shapes everything.

Because Christ has secured our place in Heaven: - We submit rightly under authority - We love deeply and consistently - We live urgently and pursue holiness

The question is not whether Heaven is your home — the question is whether your life reflects it.

Live like you belong to another kingdom.