No-one really enjoys paying tax! Often when we see speed cameras it is easy to view them cynically as revenue raisers. Rather than seeing the authority structures of our society as blessings many of us, view them at best, as necessary evils.

Have you ever considered the alternative? Historically, humanity has not coped with anarchy. Given our propensity for self interest, society requires order and authority to restrain evil and protect the weak from the powerful.

Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds us that God is a step ahead. Romans 13 teaches that our human governments are a God given provision for our well-being. Christians are called to obey and support them. The only exception would be when the earthly authority is so out of step with God’s ways that we have no choice other than to take a conscientious stand.

Stephen Semenchuk