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“Render therefore to all their dues…fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7).
In the world today, we sometimes see people who do not want to honor their country or their government, and who refuse to stand up when the national anthem is sung or played. This has happened frequently in the United States during the past few years, when people have chosen to kneel down instead of standing up. Usually this is done as a protest against some perceived injustice in the country. Several years ago in Australia, a nine-year-old girl was threatened with suspension from school for refusing to stand up for the national anthem. Others have refused to say the pledge of allegiance.
While we as believers know that we are heavenly citizens, we are also told, according to this verse, to give honor to whom honor is due, and fear to whom fear. Standing up for a national anthem or a pledge of allegiance is a way of honoring those whom God has put in authority over us.
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