Michiana Covenant Presbyterian Church

[Sung Psalm: 80] Last time we saw that the politics of the kingdom of God demands that we submit to earthly rulers, even as we seek first the kingdom of God. And in verse 7, Paul concluded his exhortation regarding this submission by saying, "Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." But now he follows that up with "owe no one anything"? What does this mean? Let's look at this in context: He has just said that if you owe taxes, pay your taxes. If you owe honor, then show honor. And to be clear – with honor (as with taxes) you do not get to decide what is owed! When your tax bill comes, that's what you owe (unless you can persuade them to reduce the bill, and such an appeal is part of the process that the government has established – so when you appeal your taxes, you are still honoring your rulers). So if Paul says to owe no one anything – why does he say to pay what is owed?! The answer is pre