Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day one)
“For it (government) does not bear the sword for nothing. . .it is a minister of God. . .who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”–v 4.
Election year in our nation. Clear thinking needed. Church and state are not “separated”. Not in the mind of God. Both have assigned functions. Both answer to Him.
The state exists to “bring wrath on the one who practices evil”. The symbol is “the sword”– the legitimate use of force. Law enFORCEment. To check evil tendencies and to “praise” those who do good–v 3.
The church exists to be “the body of Christ”, to extend His presence, His name, His will into the world by Holy Spirit filled life.
The state enforces boundaries. The church lives in the Spirit. The believer is to respect both out of love for God.
Should a believer ever oppose an unjust government? Let’s think together this week as we read Romans 13.
