Romans

Romans Chapter 13

• Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

This means that born again Christians are not to disobey the law. We are to obey all laws of the land we live in, pay taxes and endeavor to live in peace with our neighbors. Exceptions to this would be when the laws of the land conflict with the law of God still in effect under Jesus Christ. Also anything similar to the case of Peter in the passage below. 

• Acts 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 
• 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 
• 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 
• 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 

It was against the law of the land for the gospel to be preached but Peter stated that they had to obey God. 

Sometimes there are believers who choose not to serve in the armed forces for similar reasons. That is a personal choice. I believe however, that there are cases just like in the days of Old Testament when Israel had to fight that we have to fight in armies to defend our liberty and keep our nation safe from invaders who would take us into slavery. In most things we are to obey the law so that we can glorify God by our obedience. However, if someone that understands the bible differently than others, believe they cannot serve in armed forces that might result in their killing another human being, they should not be forced to serve against their conscience. Being forced is not really that good. Better to have armies that use volunteers. Force should be used against those the endanger lives, steal from people, destroy their property and to harm to someone etc.

• Romans 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

Resisting law and order is a sin. Rulers even those that are not believers are ordained of God. Evil unjust rulers will suffer greater judgment if they abuse the authority given them though. We must obey magistrates and rulers as long as their rule does not conflict with the law of God. If we desire to do something that we know is against the law and we think God has called us to do it, we must really pray about the matter first to make sure we heard the right voice.

God can even remove bad legislation if we agree with others and pray. Unless we know for sure God has called us to do something that is against the law, we have to obey the law. I even think speeding is wrong because the laws are made to make the roads safe. If we break that law willfully and it is in our heart to do so, we endanger not only ourselves but other innocent people who may be hurt if we break the traffic laws.

If our heart is right with God and we accidently go a little above the speed limit for instance, I don't believe we are willfully sinning because it is not our heart that is wanting to sin but as soon as we are aware that we are breaking the law, we need to stop. 

• Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 

Without law and order, there is no peace and security. It is chaos. Even a bad government is better than no government for when people are left to themselves in their fallen state, injustice and chaos prevails. In most societies, Christians make the best citizens because they believe in peace. Those that live in holiness generally have good marriages and a good family home builds strong nations. Even evil rulers have recognized this. 

Usually corruption in governments are at the top. They generally want law and order among their subjects because then they will have less of a chance of being dethroned. Civil unrest, unemployment and lack of law and order makes people restless and more willing to desire a new government. 

• Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 

In most places where there is some kind of government there is still laws in place against killing, stealing and the basic law of right and wrong. Even if the those at the top are corrupt and do wrong themselves they do not want to be harmed by others doing wrong so they endeavor to appear to keep law and order. 

I believe our merciful God uses the law officers to protect His people and keep things from getting out of hand. If God didn't ordain governments, we would not survive until the 2nd coming, we would have destroyed each other by then. 

• Romans 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 
• 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 
• 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 

Pay taxes, pay tribute and do all with thanksgiving. However we need to speak out against evil but in a way that doesn't incite rioting, looting or things that could harm the innocent. If we see injustice that is dangerous to the innocent we must speak out. In the bible Noah, Jonah, and many others preached and warned against sin. Jonah was commanded by God to go to the leadership of Nineveh and preach against their sin. Some times governments get so corrupt that people have to fight against it. The United States was formed by fighting for their freedom against a tyrannical government. So there is a time to speak out and fight but it must be done by much prayer and seeking out God on all matters. Pray for fair and just leaders. The bible tells us to do just that. A strong praying congregation of people can actually gain more than one that just accepts evil laws that harm rather than help. Pray without ceasing on all matters.

• Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 

If we can love one another we can automatically fulfill the law. What man loving his neighbor as himself would take his neighbor's wife? What woman loving her friend as herself would steal her possessions? 

Love fulfills the law but what is real love? 

From the 13th chapter of Corinthians we can read what real love is. The love that comes from God is pure. It is not idolatrous. We do not idolize someone to the point of following them even if they turn away from God. The love God gives to us is unselfish, it prefers the comfort and well being of the other person. It seeks no attention or fame. It is not with respect of persons. It is gentle and puts up with the flaws of others. It does not depend on circumstances. 

It's easy to love someone who is kind to us, gives us things and loves us back. It is not so easy to love those that disagree with us or does not love us in return. It is also not easy to show true God given love if we are going through bad circumstances and trials. Love gets us through it much better and casts out all fear. 

• Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 
• 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 

Can we love the obnoxious neighbor that yells at our kids if they walk across their yard? It is easier to love the one who bakes cookies for us at Christmas time. Yet the love of God reaches out to the obnoxious one as well as the nice one. Love from God does not depend on circumstances but is within us from the Holy Spirit. 

• 1Corinthians 13:4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 
• 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 
• 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 
• 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

If we truly love someone we will recognize they have faults but we will not care unless those faults are such that would endanger their souls. If a husband loves his wife and she is not a great housekeeper, it doesn't change that love if his love is real. If a woman loves her husband and he isn't the gallant romantic type, she still loves him if her love is real. Love from God doesn't depend on someone's actions.  

We must remember too that there are counterfeits for love, which is idolatry. This is what the people had for Jim Jones. That is not real love. No love from God will cause us to love someone more than we love God or His word. 

Love for leaders is easier if we consider them gifts from God. A policeman is a gift from God to keep law and order, a pastor is a gift from God to guard the flock against wolves that would teach false doctrine and draw followers after themselves.

There was a time when some apostate church leadership had the power to rule, mixing church and state but because they abused their power and added to God's word substituting their own doctrine; as a result they lost that power. Now church and state has to remain separate until Jesus comes. Apparently we cannot handle secular power. This of course does not mean we can't honor God, pray or study His word in a government building like many assume. It simply means we do not use force, intimidate, mock or bully those that do not want to participate.

• Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 

We sometimes worry about getting old but each day that passes brings us closer to the time when we see the Lord. 

• Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 
• 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Chambering and wantonness is sexual immorality that is not ordained of God like sex with animals, men with men, women with women, pedophilia, rape, incest etc.

The devil promises us liberty but in reality he brings us into bondage and misery. I will venture to guess that there is not one drunk and party goer that is really happy even though they will attempt to act like they are happy. 

If we are full of envy and strife, we are miserable. To learn the art of giving and preferring others will bring a joy that can't be duplicated in the world. 

• Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. 

This last verse tells us exactly how to keep the other verses by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus walked in the spirit and didn't fulfill the lust of the flesh. If Jesus would have walked in the flesh, He would never have stayed on the cross until He could say, "It is finished". He made the way so that when we completely give ourselves over to Him and allow His Holy Spirit to fill us, we can overcome sin. DC