The Price of Rebellion

ROMANS 13: 1-14

(July 30)

I spent a good part of my childhood in the South. I became very accustomed to the image of the Rebel flag. In fact, my hometown high school teams are called Rebels. These flags fly proudly from homes along shady streets, farms down country roads, and pickups cruising down the highway.

But what does this flag really mean? In March of 1861, less than a month before the Civil War began, a German/Prussian artist by the name of Nicola Marschall designed this flag, which would be one of three Confederate flags. It first flew in Montgomery, Alabama, over the dome of the first Confederate capitol.

Nicknamed the "Stars & Bars", this flag was a symbol of rebellion. South vs. North. For as long as there has been mankind, there has been rebellion. (Adam & Eve were the first.)

As long as there has been rebellion, there has been consequences. Paul reminds us in Romans 13 that there are consequences when we don't submit to authority.

Often, we resist authority because we don't like who is in authority over us. But Scripture tells us that those in authority have been placed there by God, for his reasons and timing, and we are to submit or suffer the consequences.

He reminds us that if we don't want to live in fear of authority, we should live in submission to it. Then we have nothing to fear. Not only are we to submit to government authority, but we are also to pay our debts to our government and do so with respect. How many of us send our check to the IRS with a happy face?

Paul talks about debt in this passage as well. We should owe nothing to anyone, except the love we are commanded to give. Of all the commandments, this is the greatest ... that we love God and love our neighbors. By doing so, we fulfill God's law.

When we walk in opposition ... to authority, to payment of debt, to loving our neighbor ... we walk right into punishment. God holds us accountable for these things. That can be hard.

I just moved into a new neighborhood this past year, and not all my neighbors are the nicest. Perhaps you have experienced that too. What can we do? We are required to offer them kindness and help them whenever they may need it. (Be neighborly)

Scripture reminds us that this is "serious business", and we need to "Wake up!" Jesus can come at any moment, and we don't want to be standing there with hate in our hearts, debt in our tills, and a lack of respect for those God has placed above us.

Times are urgent and there is a price to be paid for our rebellion.