Pr Joshua Yong

Romans 13:1 – “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

By God’s grace, Singapore is able to celebrate her 57^th national day this year. As we remember God’s goodness upon Singapore, it is an appropriate time to reflect upon the Christian’s part and place in a country like Singapore. Everyone is born into a country. Being born into Singapore, we get to enjoy all the privileges and rights accorded to her citizens. While we enjoy these privileges, we are also reminded that we have various duties to fulfil as responsible Christian citizens of Singapore.

As Christians we should always see things from a spiritual perspective. That includes how we understand our relationship with our country and government. On the one hand, we remember that this world is not our eternal home, yet on the other hand, we know that God has placed us here to be His witnesses.

1)  God Has Ordained Governments

In Romans 13:1-2, Paul says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”

We see first of all that the Apostle Paul exhorted the Christians in Romans 13:1 to “be subject unto the higher powers.” To be “subject” is to “submit” and “obey.” As Christians living in a country, we must submit to and obey the civil authorities that God has ordained to rule it. Christians must recognise that these authorities have been appointed by God to oversee them. God is the supreme and sovereign ruler over the whole world. God has ordained governments, according to His sovereign will, to rule over every nation. This means that God has placed us in a country of His choice and we are to submit to the rule and laws of that country. We must be mindful not to criticize or be rude or disrespectful towards the government which God has appointed. The Christian can exercise his right to vote, and can use the proper channels to express his disagreements with various policies or acts in a respectful manner, but the attitude must always be one of submission as unto the Lord.

The Christian then must not “resist” or “set himself against” these authorities that God has placed over them. The caveat is that the Christian is not to do anything that is contrary to the Word of God. If the command of a government forces Christians to do something that contravenes the Word of God, then Christians ought to say, “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). For example, in England during the 1600s when the monarch prohibited those who were not licensed by the Church of England to preach the Gospel, John Bunyan refused to give up preaching, and was thrown into prison as a result.

Christians must realise that God has ordained our government and placed us in this country for the work of the Gospel, and to always be God’s faithful witness. This was how men like Daniel and Joseph also conducted themselves when they were under the rule of the Babylonians and Egyptians respectively.

2)  The Christian’s Service in the Country

As Christian citizens, the Bible tells us that we are also to fulfil our duty and obligation to the state. But while we do so, we remember that we do so unto the Lord. Apostle Paul says in Romans 13:6-7 – “For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

The word “tribute” describes “taxes.” This would include taxes of property or possession. The word “custom” similarly describes a “duty” or a form of tax levied on goods, services, or various transactions.

The words spoken by Paul here reminds us of what Christ has also taught us – “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). We are to pay our taxes, not grudgingly, but to do so cheerfully unto the Lord. The Lord tells us that these things belong to “Caesar,” and it reminds us that these earthly possessions are only useful for the things of this earth.

Since God has appointed our civil government on earth, we have to support and honour them. We must fulfil what is “due” rightfully to the government. For the men in Singapore, this also means that we are to fulfil our duty to serve two years of full-time national service.

3)  Pray for our Government

The greatest service we can render to our country is to pray for our country. 1 Timothy 2:1–4 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Paul here exhorted us to pray for our government and for our country. We are to pray for our government to rule in righteousness and justice. We must pray for the rule of peace. Notice that Paul’s perspective was always spiritual. The reason why we are to pray for our government and for the rule of peace is for the furtherance of the Gospel. Just as the Lord used Paul as a Roman citizen with the privileges which he enjoyed in order to do the work of the Gospel, so the Lord can use us as citizens of Singapore, with the freedom of worship and to preach the Gospel, to be His witnesses both in Singapore and beyond. With the peace and prosperity that God has granted Singapore, Singapore can be the hub of the Gospel both in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Let us continue to pray for Singapore, that the Lord will use us in this country for His Gospel work.