Living in Obedience, Love, and Readiness for Christ

Beginning in Romans 12, Paul teaches believers how to live a godly life. He urges us to be holy and pleasing to God, calling for transformation through the renewing of the mind. He encourages humility, sincere love, and the use of spiritual gifts to serve one another. Romans 12 also highlights the importance of living peaceably, overcoming evil with good, and blessing those who persecute us.

Romans 13 continues this theme of practical Christian living by focusing on three key areas:

Obedience to authority
Love for one another
Readiness for Christ’s return

These principles are foundational for us as believers, guiding how we live both in the world and in the light of eternity.

1. Submission to Governing Authorities (Romans 13:1–7)

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

This passage addresses an important aspect of Christian life: submission to civil authority. It answers several significant questions.

What Is the Biblical Role of Government?

To cultivate good: Encouraging and rewarding righteous behaviour.
To punish evil: Restraining wrongdoing and enforcing justice.

By fulfilling these roles, the government helps maintain a peaceful and orderly society. Scripture tells us that our God is a god of order and the opposite—disorder and lawlessness—is associated with the spirit of the antichrist.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace...” – 1 Corinthians 14:33

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume...” – 2 Thessalonians 2:8

Why Should We Submit to Authority?

Because they are appointed by God: Resisting them is resisting God's ordinance.
Because they are God’s servants/ministers: Like Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Saul, and Solomon, God can use even flawed leaders to fulfil His plans.
Because disobedience carries consequences: Both legally and spiritually.
Because Jesus Himself taught it: Paying taxes and respecting laws reflect a life aligned with God’s principles

“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” – Matthew 22:21

Because of conscience: We submit not only to avoid wrath but also to honour God (Romans 13:5).

“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake...” – 1 Peter 2:13–14
“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities...” – Titus 3:1

When Is It Right to Disobey?

While Scripture emphasizes submission, there are exceptions when God’s higher law contradicts human laws

Examples in Scripture:

Exodus 1 – Hebrew midwives refused Pharaoh’s command to kill male infants (Exodus 1:17-21).
Daniel 6 – Daniel disobeyed the law prohibiting prayer and was thrown into the lions’ den.
Acts 4:19–20 – Peter and John refused to stop preaching about Jesus.

Acts 5:29 –
“We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Disobedience may bring earthly consequences, but like Daniel and the apostles, we must accept them with faith in God’s deliverance.

Even under rulers like Nero, who persecuted Christians, Paul taught submission. It’s not about the leader’s character—it’s about God’s command.

Submission isn’t based on the leader’s character but on God’s command. We should pray for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), live peaceably and stand for righteousness without compromise like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to bow to idols (Daniel 3). Seek God’s kingdom above all: Earthly kingdoms are temporary; our ultimate allegiance is to Christ’s eternal kingdom.

2. The Fulfillment of the Law Through Love (Romans 13:8–10)

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Paul teaches that love is the highest obligation we owe. While we repay taxes or debts, the debt of love is never fully paid.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35

Love Naturally Fulfills the Law

Paul lists commandments—adultery, murder, theft, coveting—and explains that love prevents sin because:

Love does no harm to others.
It seeks the good of the other, even at personal cost.
It is the foundation of all moral behaviour.

Let us forgive, show kindness, and walk in love—fulfilling the law through our conduct.

3. Living in Readiness for Christ’s Return (Romans 13:11–14)

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Every Christian generation is called to live as if Christ’s return is imminent—and rightly so. Each day brings us closer to His coming. Jesus warned us, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42)

Paul Calls Us to:

Wake up – Be spiritually alert.
Cast off – Let go of sinful behaviours.
Put on – Clothe ourselves with Christ’s character.
Walk right – Live with moral integrity.
Starve the flesh – Don’t feed sinful desires.

Living as New Creations

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
” – Colossians 3:12–17

As believers, we must reject sinful behaviours—drunkenness, immorality, strife, and envy—and instead walk in holiness. We should clothe ourselves with Christ by letting His character define our actions and attitudes. We should remember that temptation begins in the mind, and the battle is won there:

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. – 2 Corinthians 10:4–6

We Are Called to Live Godly Lives Until He Comes

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” – Titus 2:11–13

Summary

✅ Submit to authority – because God is sovereign over all leaders.
✅ Love others deeply – because love fulfils the law.
✅ Live ready for Christ’s return – walking in light, not darkness.

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand.” – Romans 13:12

Let’s not be caught sleeping spiritually. The world is watching. May our lives be a testimony of obedience, love, and spiritual readiness.

Ask yourself

Are you struggling with submitting to authority? Ask God for a humble heart.
Have you withheld love from someone? Forgive them today.
Are there areas of darkness in your life? Repent and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Closing Prayer

Father God, we thank You for Your Word that guides us. Help us to submit to authority with a heart that honours You. Teach us to love others as You have loved us. Lord, awaken us from spiritual sleep and fill us with Your light. May our lives reflect Your glory as we await Christ’s return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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