Romans 13:3-4a - God's Servant for Our Good

Romans 13:3-4a - ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴ for he is God's servant for your good.

Message: The purpose of the civil ruler

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

On one hand, these verses speak to the fact that government is instituted by God and we are to be obedient to the government we are in. But, there is also a purpose for those in government. They are to detect and punish evil and uphold those that do good.  But, unfortunately, many oppress the good. But, this is not God's intent. He does not establish government so as to hurt good people. But, it could be true that he establishes terror to deal with a country that has evil people. 

If a government protects evil doers and oppresses the good, then the support of that evil government should cease. But, I think we need to be careful still in our judgment of government and how we speak of it. 

Relative Duties
I. Of rulers-to protect the good-to restrain the evil-to reward merit.
II. Of subjects-to respect authority-to do good and thereby to merit praise. 
The functions of the ruler
I. To maintain law and order-as the minister of God--for the benefit of man. 
II. To punish crime; for this purpose he is invested with the power of life and death-must use it righteously-as responsible to God-for the supression of evil. - Lyth

"For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad" - Even the most wicked, godless governments act as a deterrent to crime. Could it be that God, at times, does institute a terror government, in order to carry out a purpose he has?

"Do what is good" - Peaceful, law abiding citizens need to fear the authorities. Few governments will harm those who obey their laws. In fact, governments usually commend such people. 

"God's servant for your good" - By helping restrain evil and protecting life and property, Paul took advantage of his government's role in promoting what is good when he exercised his rights as a Roman citizen to obtain justice. 

Promise:My revenge could be a government's justice. Trust God and authorities He has set up and His timing.