governing on behalf of God

Romans 13:1-7

Observe:
Key words: authorities, God's servant, wrong, right, fear, give
It is important to remember that Paul is writing to Christians in Rome who were under the governmental authority of the emporer at this time - likely Nero - and were quite likely facing persecution.
The passage contains a list of things we may owe to people that we ought to pay.

Interpret:
Because of the paganism of the rulers and their persecution of the Christians, it would have been quite tempting to teach that the Christian owed allegiance to no one but Christ. Paul teaches just the opposite: the authorities have been established by God to act as his servants in establishing an doling out justice in the civle realm.

Apply:
Even though I may not agree with the governments policies and decisions, I must respect them as the agents of God. Paul makes it clear that Christians, as much as possible, ought to be tax paying, law abiding citizens who respectfully might disagree with their leaders but will honour them as agents or servants of God. This does not call for blind obedience to leaders but that our default should not be blind disobedience either.