In chapter 13, Paul continues to discuss how the church is to relate to the outside world, including the government. Paul tells us to submit to the authority of the state because its authority is derived from God. We do not take revenge because the state is the agent of God’s wrath. Rather than being consumed with vengeance, we are to focus on loving people. And we are to do so understanding what time it is. We are living in the last days. We are to live as “loving sacrifices” because Christ can return at any time.