I. "Render to Caesar"
A. Matthew 22:15-22. The Pharisees were trying to entrap Jesus. They thought
they had the perfect question.
B. If Jesus said "Don't pay taxes," He would be in trouble with the Romans. If
He said, "Yes, pay taxes," the Jewish people would turn against Him.
C. Yet Jesus' answer was perfect. God has given a certain realm to Caesar, and
Jesus says Caesar deserves his due. Give Caesar his things, but be sure
you give God His.
D. This principle of owing respect to the government is echoed by Paul (Rom
13:6-7).
E. Paul says here that "rendering to Caesar" includes taxes (v. 6-7a), customs,
fear, and honor. The authorities deserve these things because they are
appointed by God (v. 1).
F. 1 Pet 2:17. Different groups of people deserve different things, according to
Peter. All people deserve honor. Brethren deserve love. God deserves
fear. The government ("king") deserves honor.
G. Remember, these admonitions are given whether the taxes are fair or not, the
government is agreeable or not, or officials are "respectable" or not. We
acknowledge these authorities because of their authorization by God.
Christians are not troublemaking citizens.

II. "Be subject to the governing authorities"
A. Not only is the government due our money and honor, it is also due our
allegiance, or submission.
B. Rom 13:1-5. There are several reasons God commands us to be subject.
1. To resist is to resist God! (v. 2, 5)
2. If we do what is good, we have no fear from government (v. 3)
3. If we don't submit, we will feel the wrath of government (v. 4)
C. Again, there is no statement about whether we agree. Certainly first century
Christians didn't agree with Rome about many policies, yet they were
commanded to be subject regardless.
D. Acts 5:29. It is important to point out that we must submit to the government
unless its edicts violate God's principles. In those cases, we must obey
God rather than men.
E. 1 Pet 2:13-16. Here Peter extends this principle to all levels of government.
F. Peter here adds another reason to be subject: by doing so, we can "put to
silence the ignorance of foolish men"(v. 15). Others won't have anything
bad to say about us because we obey.
G. Titus 3:1. Subjection is the mark of the Christian. We need to be reminded of
it.
H. A few things should be said about subjection. Subjection means obeying and
following even when we may disagree, as long as we are not violating
God's principles. A wife is not in submission if she only follows when
she agrees. A member is not in subjection to elders if he only follows
when he agrees with their judgment. Likewise, we must submit to the
government whether we agree or not.

III. "That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life"
A. 1 Tim 2:1-3. One more obligation is laid upon the Christian regarding the
government: that we pray for the government.
B. Paul specifically tells us to pray for "all who are in authority".
C. The goal of this prayer, and what we are asking God for, is "that we may lead
a quiet and peaceable life". The Christian's greatest desire regarding the
government is that we are able to live in a way that pleases God-
"godliness and reverence."
D. We have been blessed in this country that we are able to do just that. We must
continue to pray that this will continue to be so.

God has given us governments for our benefit. We should submit to them, give them their due, and pray for them. ___Jacob Hudgins