July 29, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Exodus and Romans? Here’s today’s reading:
Romans 13 (NIV)
Submission to Governing Authorities
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.……Continue Reading
Interesting chapter of how we are to be subject to the higher powers for they are ordained by God. Not that He causes the evil but He allows for His own purposes which we don`t understand for His ways are not our ways. Especially in the United States where we live. Everything has been turned on it`s head. Good has been made to seem evil, and evil is portrayed as good. If it is against what God says in the Bible; it is wrong and evil. Satan is the prince of darkness and he hates God and mankind. So far it seems he is getting his way. The world is such in darkness and will only get worse without God. But God is Sovereign and knows what is happening and has allowed it to bring about His own will and timing. There have been many believers through the centuries living under kingdoms, etc. that were evil such as when Hitler killed Jews and Christians. But even in this believers were a true reflection of Christ`s light and salvation to the world. The place where Corrie Ten Boom and her sister were in prison; they were able to share Christ unhindered for there was fleas which kept the guards out. Even after Corrie was released she went on to speak for Jesus all around the world until her death much latter in time. One example but there are many testimonies like this. We as humans don`t understand fully why evil prevails often but God does have His own timing when He will bring judgement upon nations. Just like He did in history both in the Bible and secular history. But in all this evil around us, we are to be examples reflecting Christ`s light. We are in a fallen world because of mankind`s sin. We as believers are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ by casting off works of darkness such as rioting, and strife. And then putting on the armor of light and always being honest but walking in love. [ Christ`s love] Verses 10,12,13,14. We are the light of the world. May God use us as His light in this world of darkness.
I really struggle with the verse, “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.”
Romans 13:1 NIV
Did God establish Hitler, Mussolini, Hussein, Ho Chi Min, Khadafi? And later it says they must be honored. What’s the historical context for this?
The historical context for this is Paul living under the government of Rome that persecuted Christians and eventually lead to Paul’s death. So Paul is not encouraging people here to obey a good government but one opposed to the truth. And God did not establish these wicked regimes (or any) but allows them and then calls believers to honor what they can honor, and obey laws that reinforce the good. The problem comes when governments make good people do evil or restrict them from doing what is good. That is when the Scriptures call Christians to obey God and not man. For instance, Christians in Germany don’t turn Jews over (like the government would ask), but hide and protect them. If we are ever told by our government to not share truth or the gospel, we should not and will not listen.
Make sense?
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
”Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.“
Romans 13:1-4 NKJV
What is to be done when the government is evil and no longer functions according to its own law? Our government was established to serve the people but it has been corrupted. I guess we shall see how it all works out. I long for His appearing. Come Lord Jesus.
In a democracy, we seek to bring change by voting and changing people’s hearts through the gospel and different venues that we may be able to speak God’s truth. When the laws of man go so far as to prevent us from doing what God calls us to, we are to obey God and not man.
Romans 13 God established government, there had to be authority to set rules, but we must obey the law of love which supersedes the religious and civil laws. We need to make good choices and by that I mean when voting we are to choose wisely, choose leaders with morals that line up with God. We are to love one another, we are to put on the armor of light. If we clothe ourselves with Jesus then loving others will be easier. I have to pray about that one often. It’s like really God, I have to love them, and he’s like yep you do. I don’t have to accept the sin but I’m to love them. We have to have the willingness to believe in Jesus and put off our sinful desires.
Exodus 30; Romans 13
Roman’s 12
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:9-10 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.12.9-10.NIV
What a unique aspect of Christianity that we would obey government but are never called to establish a government of our own, but live peaceably with everyone. There are times based on other Scriptures where we would not obey government, as mentioned in my comments above, but our default should be to obey. Because government has an important purpose in God’s economy to restrain evil and punish it for the protection and safety of all. It is sad whenever government abandons this function. And for believers we should not need government or law to help us to be obedient, but love is the summarization of the law and when we love others above ourselves, we will do right by them. All crime ultimately is selfish. But we are to live in the light even though darkness is all around us. But we don’t do that alone but have Jesus as our guide, example and our empowerer. Let us cloth ourselves with him, identifying with Him and letting Him be reflected through us.
Romans 13
We are speaking of evil and how we confront it. My rapist is being released from the ACI after serving 15 of a 40-year sentence within the next couple of weeks. I have all the questions. And ask for your prayers for wisdom when facing this evil. I know nothing about him so I sit in the seat of my understanding of him being his past behavior. And although I am fearful I am also seeking God. He is a huge man, really tall and huge not in the fat way. He is my Goliath. Rhode Island is a small state. Or will he go back to his NY/CT area home. My great big dog, who was my protection died in May. I need to practice my slingshot. As for government, his rights seem to circumvent mine, Or according to my mental illness, am I overreacting? 5 acres are beautiful and peaceful, but also isolating. I need help advocating for myself Biblically while facing this evil. Maybe he has been rehabilitated in prison. I have prayed for him this whole time. And forgiven him
Wow, Melody. Thanks so much for sharing and trusting us with that and so sorry to hear that you are going through that. Your feelings of fear make sense but thank God that we can trust Him to overcome that fear. We always need to be wise in how we perceive and react to things, but always trusting in God for His purpose, plan and provision. We can be still and know that He is God even as we are doing things to protect ourselves. Maybe call the DA’s office to find out what restrictions are being put on him as he is being released. Let me/us know how we can help.
“Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Keep our thoughts on Phillipians 4:8. We do this even if we have to shift our thinking many times throughout the day. Only then can we live a life devoid of sin and corruption. Don’t entertain sinful thoughts, because what we feed will grow.
Romans 13
It seems reasonable to think if everyone followed the commandment to love others above yourself, the need for government would be little at best. Unfortunately, we are a selfish people and that doesn’t tend to be the way things go. People put themselves and their desire for money and power in front of people all the time and all too often those people are in our government. I guess we can become overwhelmed by the idea of following a government that seems to have become so broken but God asks us to do so and to do anything else would just further the breakdown of organized society. So we must follow God’s commands, do what is right, and seek to vote for those that will further morality and preserve the ideas this country was founded on.