There is no topic as divisive today as politics, politicians and political parties. The world around us is sharply divided around the area of politics, and each election promises to be more divisive than the last. And in the past number of years the Christian community—the body of Christ which Jesus commanded to show the world His love by their unity—has also been sharply divided around the area of government and politics. Sometimes for good reasons, sometimes not. Today, and especially after the COVID crisis, many Christians are quick to dismiss Paul’s command to have “every person be subject to the governing authorities”, rather applying it ONLY if the one governing is thought to deserve honor and respect. But is that really what it says? If so, it wouldn’t be any radical new teaching by the Bible, but just another human doctrine; respect those in authority when they deserve it. But the book of Romans tells us something different, so let’s see what Paul has to say to us in Romans 13.
