seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[c]
a. Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
b. Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
c. Romans 13:14 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
This is from enduringword.com.
Paul’s idea is that Christians should be the best citizens of all. Even though they are loyal to God before they are loyal to the state, Christians are good citizens because they are honest, give no trouble to the state, pay their taxes, and – most importantly – pray for the state and the rulers.
An avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil: It is through the just punishment of evil that government serves its function in God’s plan of holding man’s sinful tendencies in check. When a government fails to do this consistently, it opens itself up to God’s judgment and correction.
He does not bear the sword in vain: The sword is a reference to capital punishment. In the Roman Empire, criminals were typically executed by beheading with a sword (crucifixion was reserved for the worst criminals of the lowest classes). Paul, speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has no doubt that the state has the legitimate authority to execute criminals.
Is this Paul's way of saying.... "I didn't start that riot..... I'm a good guy a Christian".......
The more I read about this Disciple Paul.... the more I am convinced he was no big deal. God did not put that government in place. The people wanted a king so they could be like everybody else. God warned them that they wouldn't like a king..... but they wanted one..... even though God was still their king [or so they claimed He would be].... they wanted a human king so they could be like everyone else.
I have little respect for most of the people I watch on the news. IMHO.... even the news reporting has gone down hill. Listen to how the reporters slaughter the English language..... everything is "happening now".... it's all news... none of this happened a minute ago.... it's all breaking now..... happening now.... that train derailment.... it didn't happen at 2AM..... it's rolling down the embankment now..... and Paul says God appointed these people..... nope.... not in my humble opinion.
God "allows" governments...... the same as He "allows" me to go about making choices that might just kill me. God knows how it will turn out in the end.... and it all works out.... so He lets humans think they are in charge. Just like Paul claims to be an Apostle when I see him as a Disciple..... a big deal.... but not an Apostle who walked with Jesus when He was thinking and teaching. God has a reason for this Roman Jew to survive...... and He is "allowing" Paul to talk. Sure Paul was chosen for the job before He became a Christian..... Jesus knocked Paul down and blinded him. But if God was really "controlling" Paul instead of "allowing" Paul.... then Paul would have been born believing.... it would be as natural as breathing..... but God "allowed" Paul to make the decision.
When God allows a bad guy to become a ruler.... Hitler for example..... it really shouldn't affect a Christian. Think about it.... what's a bad guy going to do to a Christian? They can't kill us... we have eternal life.
Should Government be afraid of a gang of Christians? NO.... Christians have two rules to live by..... Love God with all your heart, mind and soul.... and Love each other as you would have them love you...... If a Christian is following those two rules... they pose no problem for any government... they are easy to govern because they do no wrong. Christians will pay taxes because the taxes are due..... and Christians pay their bills. Christians will not riot in the streets..... because they are peaceful.....
OOPS.... what about all the peaceful protests we've been having.... NO... I don't mean that Christians will not protest..... sure Christians will stand up for their families and friends.... but they will do it "peacefully". There's no need to bring out the rubber bullets and pepper spray.... these are God's "children" and they are peaceful.
Paul was such a wordy guy.... while he was preaching a man sitting in a window fell asleep and fell three stories. I think this chapter is Paul's wordy way of saying "I didn't start the riot.... I'm a good little Christian...... Christians don't riot.... they protest peacefully."
I think the world would have handled 2020 a lot better had they chosen to value God's two laws more than the worlds millions of laws. Those two rules that Jesus talked about..... they are the secret.... Christians just naturally behave decently.
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