Scripture to Read: Romans 13:7
As we finish Romans 13:1–7, God takes us just a little deeper on the issue of paying to others what we owe them. In Romans 13:7, God tells us, “Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Note that God progresses from paying taxes to paying back the debts we owe, respecting those who are to be respected and honoring those who are to be honored. Finally, as we have seen all week, God calls us to submission, and we can only submit as we choose to walk in humility. God bears witness as to why we must walk in humility and submission in 1 Peter 2:21–24, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” When we walk in humility and submission, we are following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. God called us to walk this way and gave us His perfect example of how to do what He’s called us to do.
Challenge & Application
• Why do submission and humility go hand in hand and what does that look like for you?
• Christ is our perfect example to follow, so how are you being an example to others in how to submit and walk humbly?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!