The Pedal to the Metal

Sunday, March 5th, 2006

The Pedal to the Metal

Romans 13:1-7
1 Everyone must submit himself 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, he who 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 he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent 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 because 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 everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

This is a convicting scripture to me. Yes, I do drive the speed limit on the highway and stop at red lights and stop signs… but guess what? My plates are out… and until tomorrow, I have no insurance on my vehicles. BAD! BAD! BAD! And also, I must admit it; I don’t really like George W. much. I was cool with him all the way until it came out that he was openly spying on the good old USA. But it says “if respect, the respect…” and I feel that not only did I not like the guy, it really boiled down to me having feelings of anger (and possibly even hatred). My father-in-law told me this great story today, that actually ties into this scripture quiet well. “Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.” You see, Johnny Depp (actor from such films as Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands) was on a TV show called 21 Jump Street… but after the second season, Depp began to generate tons of movie offers. JD felt a responsibility to the show and wasn’t going to cut his contract. His word meant too much to him. He went to the director and talked to him about the offers and that he would very much like to do them should the show not be renewed for the third season. He said that he signed a contract and he would abide by that contract. And before the third season, Depp’s contract was released simply because he was a man of integrity. Depp had no fear of authority simply because he did what was right. He was willing to give to Caesar what was Caesar’s… and was rewarded for doing the right thing.

Related Scriptures
Genesis 4:6-7
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Matthew 22:21 Then he said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders. Put yourselves under their authority. They keep watch over you. They know they are accountable to God for everything they do. Obey them so that their work will be a joy. If you make their work a heavy load, it won't do you any good.