Submission is not absolute. God directs us in the situations where we must resist authorities—basically when they command us to act counter to the expressed Word of God. That is a topic for another time. But the primary call of God for us is to submit to the governing authorities, giving taxes, revenue, respect and honor as it is due (v 7).

Submission is easier when your candidate is in office or the policies make sense to you. It becomes more difficult when the other party is in power or the government is requiring things that do not make sense to you. But either way, our submission to the governmental authorities is not based on our preference. It is based on God’s authority. We do our earthly duty because of conscience (v 5). That important phrase means that our earthly submission is based on our submission to God.

Rulers and regimes do not come to power by chance. In scripture we read of God even raising wicked regimes to do his will before he also judges them (e.g., Hab. 1:6). Paul knew about oppressive regimes. He spent much time in jail for preaching the gospel. We cannot disregard authority because of general wickedness. Godless regimes are not an exception to God’s sovereignty. Since God raises up and casts down, all authorities will answer to God for their actions.

Those in authority have a responsibility to God for what they do. If they are Christians and realize they have an obligation to God, they are to be diligent in their office. If they do well, they may be re-elected and avoid removal from office. Even better, the area under their control will run better if it encourages righteousness. But the primary reason for authorities to do what is right is because they must answer to God. This is true with police and local officials as well as national leaders.

This puts us in an interesting position. As earthly citizens, we are to submit to the laws and authorities because of conscience. But in our land, God has raised up a government where the political backbone is the people. God uses our votes to install the authorities. God uses our actions as citizens as a vital part of the government. As citizens, we have to answer to God for our actions in the same way the officials do.

We should vote, not only to help put good people in office, but because God has set us (collectively) as the means to put people and policy in authority. This passage tells me to become informed and vote because I owe it to God who uses me as part of the process to place people in office. For the times I did not vote, I never asked forgiveness from a political party or candidate, but I did have to ask forgiveness from God who has entrusted this to me.

We are citizens of this country by birth or by naturalization, but we are also citizens by the grace of God. Sometimes we say that glibly, but it is profoundly true. We owe a responsibility to God for our actions as earthly citizens.

Does God care about submission, honor and taxes? Yes. When we consider how we submit to authority, let us act because of conscience. What we do, we do unto the Lord, who is the King of kings.