Why is it important to obey authorities "for the sake of conscience"? Setting the Foundation • “Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also for the sake of conscience.” – Romans 13:5 • The verse gives two motives: – Avoiding civil penalties. – Maintaining a clear, God-honoring conscience. The Call to Obey Authorities • God Himself institutes governing powers (Romans 13:1–2). • To oppose lawful authority is to resist God’s ordinance. • 1 Peter 2:13–15 echoes the charge: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…”. For the Sake of Conscience: What Does It Mean? • Conscience is the inner faculty that testifies to right and wrong (Romans 2:15). • A cleansed conscience keeps believers sensitive to God’s voice (Hebrews 9:14). • Obeying rulers when they are not demanding sin preserves that inner witness. How Conscience Works Under Christ’s Lordship • A clear conscience allows confident prayer and witness (1 Peter 3:15-16). • Paul strove to “maintain always a blameless conscience before God and men” (Acts 24:16). • Practical spheres: – Paying taxes (Romans 13:6-7). – Honoring officials with respectful speech (Titus 3:1-2). – Working diligently under supervisors (Ephesians 6:5-7). The Blessings of Obedience • Personal peace—no nagging sense of guilt. • Public credibility—the watching world sees consistent integrity (Matthew 5:16). • Social stability—“Righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34). • Spiritual fruit—love flows from “a pure heart and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:5). When Obedience Meets Conflicting Commands • Authorities must be disobeyed only when they directly command sin (Acts 5:29). • Even then, believers answer with humility, accepting consequences (Daniel 3:16-18). Living It Out Today • Pray regularly for those in office (1 Timothy 2:1-2). • Pay what you owe—taxes, fees, respect, honor (Romans 13:7). • Keep records clean; submit paperwork honestly. • Respond to laws promptly, not grudgingly, so conscience stays uncluttered. • Teach children the link between respecting parents, teachers, and larger civic authority. |
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