Living Faithfully Under The Powers That Be
“My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man… It’s to a King and a Kingdom.”
These words from singer-songwriter Derek Webb ring especially true in a world where politics, power, and faith often become entangled in ways that blur our vision of the gospel. This past Sunday, we stepped into one of the most misunderstood—and most often misused—passages of the New Testament: Romans 13:1–7.
At just seven verses, it’s short. But make no mistake—these verses have carried a lot of weight through the centuries, especially during times of political tension. From justifying war to enforcing obedience, Romans 13 has often been pulled out of context to support agendas Paul never intended. Which is why we began with an important reminder: We are reading someone else’s mail.
The View from Rome
Paul was writing to a small, diverse, and often misunderstood group of Jesus-followers living under the Roman Empire. At the time, Nero—a teenager recently crowned emperor—sat on the throne. Tensions were rising, and Christianity was viewed with suspicion. These believers were navigating life in the shadow of an empire that demanded loyalty to Caesar, not Christ.
Paul’s encouragement? Be subject to the governing authorities—not because they were good, just, or moral, but because God is sovereign. “The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)
This wasn’t a call to blind obedience or political naivety. It was a deeply theological statement. Paul was inviting the church to trust in God’s ultimate authority even as they lived under flawed, earthly powers.
Living in the Tension
If you’ve watched the news lately or scrolled through your feed, you know that unrest and division still run deep. Some demand reform, others cling to control. And in the middle of it all, Christians are left asking: What does it look like to live faithfully when the government seems out of step with the gospel?
Paul’s answer is complex. Yes, we are to be good citizens—respecting authority, paying taxes, living above reproach. But Scripture also shows us that faithfulness sometimes means civil disobedience:
- Daniel prayed when it was illegal.
- Peter and John said, “We must obey God rather than human beings.” (Acts 5:29)
- The Hebrew midwives refused to follow Pharaoh’s deadly decree.
- Jesus Himself stood silent before Pilate, submitting to unjust authority as part of God’s redemptive plan.
Faithful living under flawed systems requires wisdom, discernment, and a whole lot of courage.
Allegiance to a Greater Kingdom
It’s tempting to look for salvation in a political party, a leader, or a nation. But as followers of Jesus, our hope isn’t in the next election or the next policy. Our hope is in a King who reigns over all kingdoms.
Philippians 3:20 reminds us, “Our citizenship is in heaven.” And that heavenly citizenship shapes how we live here and now.
We submit when we can. We resist when we must. But we always do so with love, humility, and peace. We pray for our leaders—not because they’re always right, but because we trust God is always working. We obey laws, not out of fear, but out of conscience. And we live in such a way that our actions speak louder than our opinions.
So, What About Us?
In Canada, we may not experience the same kind of political fusion that our neighbours in the U.S. do, but we’re not immune to the pull of power. The debates over health mandates, justice reforms, and public trust have left scars. We’ve seen people on all sides use Scripture to justify their stance. And yet, Paul invites us to something deeper.
He invites us to trust.
Not in systems, not in ideologies, but in the sovereignty of God.
He invites us to live distinctly—citizens of heaven who shine with grace and truth even in the darkest places.
And he invites us to keep our eyes on the real King—the one who wore a crown of thorns, not of gold.
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
Empires rise and fall. Leaders come and go. Scandals erupt, and new headlines hit every hour. But the kingdom of God? It stands forever.
So here’s the challenge:
As followers of Jesus, can we be known more for our allegiance to Christ than for our political preferences?
Can we respond to injustice not with outrage, but with compassion and courage?
Can we model what it means to live in the world, but not of it?
May we be people who pay taxes, speak truth, respect authority, and—when necessary—stand up for the ways of Jesus with humility and boldness.
Not because the world is watching, but because the King is reigning.
And He’s building a kingdom that no empire can overthrow.
Let’s live faithfully under the powers that be—
with eyes fixed on the One whose power has no end.