Is Government good?

Re:Verse reading–Romans 14 (day seven) “Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake”–v 5.

Is government good?  In principle?  A necessary check on sinful tendencies in a fallen world?  Important question.  Our national anthem declares us, “the land of the free.” Do we still need laws and limits imposed and enforced on our individual choices?  Yes, says the Scripture.

In Romans 13, Paul declares authority to be part of God’s plan and submission to it a part of every believer’s responsibility.  We have dual motivation for doing so.  Those who break the law face consequences.  Those who believe the Bible submit for the sake of conscience.  Christians are good citizens from both fear and faith.

Are there times when we oppose government authorities?  Yes.  When government overreaches and contradicts the law of God, believers are called to disobey.

In ordinary circumstances, however, a believer remembers that government is good.

A Different Kingdom

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day six)

Paul sums up his teaching in Romans 13 by admonishing us to “put on Jesus.” Regardless of who is in authority over us, or the type of government, we are simply to be like Jesus. Whether we face justice or injustice, we are to be like Jesus. We are to live for another Kingdom altogether, under the authority of one who is greater than all earthly rulers. This, of course, means that often we look otherworldly in how we conduct our lives. That’s just it, Paul is far more concerned with our righteousness than he is about the state of our government. He is far more concerned with the state of the Church, than the state of the Union. Romans 13 reminds us that God has all the kingdoms of earth in the palm of his hand; we need not worry, we simply need to pursue one thing, to “put on Jesus.” Will you?

“The Times”

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day five)

When you think about “the current times” what goes through your mind? Evil? Uncertainty? Terrorism? Divided Country? Persecution?

Paul had a completely different approach and theology of “the times”. He proposes in Romans 13 that “knowing the time” is a motivation for an attitude of love and acts of love. Throughout Romans 12 and 13, Paul gives a brilliant theology of “the times” worth noting. 13:11 “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.”

A look back to chapter 12 reminds us that we ought not be naive or unaware of the dangers, temptations, and darkness that are present in the current times. We are to avoid conformity. However, in chapter 13 he offers another perspective. In the current times there is also hope, opportunity, and certainty. “Awaken from Sleep”, “The day is near”, “Salvation is nearer”, .

How do you think about “The Times”? Is there a balance between realism and optimism? Is there concern and joy? Is there motivation to love and show God’s kindness and Glory to anyone/everyone?

Clear Conscience

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day four)

Paul talks about the fear of authorities and the wrath that will result if we fail to subject ourselves to the rulers over us. An even greater motivator than fear of our authorities should be our consciences. (Verse 5) When we transgress a law, we are not only breaking that civil or criminal law, we are setting ourselves up in opposition to God. A clear conscience before God is more important than paying whatever penalty is due for our transgression. A clear conscience does not always assure that we are not guilty before God, but it is a good place to start. When we can see how our sinfulness breaks the heart of God and brings on us His judgment, it becomes important that we follow all of His commands and maintain a clear conscience before Him. In Psalm 139, the psalmist writes, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” It is a key to our living in a love relationship with God.

Defer

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day three)

“Let everyone be subject…” Apparently there is no such thing as everlasting life without submission to others. Whether in biological submission–“honor thy father and thy mother”–or in spiritual submission–“the one in authority is God’s servant”–life that lasts places itself in the presence of others in order to obey or serve or listen or grow. Even the Godhead lives in eternal deference to each of the persons of the Trinity: “[The Son] can  only do what he sees his Father doing”; “[The Spirit] will speak only what he hears”; “This is my Son; listen to him.” Any life that is eternal will always lay itself down for others. There is no life outside of such a fellowship. Let us obey whom we must obey, and serve whom we must serve. Therein lies life.

 

Beautiful Debt

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day one) Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. vs 8

If you have ever take any kind of Christian financial planning course you have probably encountered this scripture. It is the most beautiful debt, the debt of love. Not a kind of love that is saccharine, but one that is altruistic. We care deeply for the well-being of our fellow man. Jesus, above all, loved us enough to die for us. If we accept this gift of love, then our duty becomes burden to love others. Are you serving? Can you identify the needs around you? Are you willing to meet them? This, is the fulfillment of our purpose. Owe nothing except that which Christ has given to you.

Church and State

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.

 

Cold Christian?

Re:Verse passage: Romans 12 (day seven)

“Fervent is Spirit, serving the Lord”–v 11.

Can you name something that is useless or unappetizing when cold?  A campfire?  Spaghetti?  A church?  Less about temperature.  More about intensity.  “Fervent in Spirit” describes a believer “on fire”.  Emitting light and warmth, spending himself (being consumed) in service, igniting others.

Did Paul already know Christians who had lost enthusiasm?  Probably.  Jesus warned of it. “Because lawlessness is increased most people’s love will grow cold.”—Matthew 24:12.  Love and Law are connected. Apart from courageous obedience, their relationship suffered.  Passionate, fervent, love for Christ disappeared.  Brrrr!

Honest now, are there signs of a temperature drop in your life?  Is there intensity?  Courage?  Are others ignited by your witness and example?

“For this reason, I remind you to FAN INTO FLAME the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”–2 Timothy 1:6  What will you do, today, to keep the fire going?

A Gospel Kind of Life

Re:Verse passage: Romans 12 (day six)

Coming out of Romans 1-11, it only makes sense that we would yield all of who we are in worship to such a big and glorious God. He defies comprehension! He literally sustains the universe and all human history by His word! So when we are reminded of what Jesus said to His disciples, “If you lose your life for my namesake, you shall find it,” it really is not to much to ask. Indeed it makes perfect sense.

And out of a life yielded to God comes the Gospel kind of life. We see the world with new eyes. We perceive the ways of God. We reap the reward of having the Holy Spirit active in our life. We lay down our own life, so that we might take it up again-just like Jesus!

A New Approach

Re:Verse passage: Romans 12 (day five)

The Old Testament system asked for animals to be brought to the altar, sacrificed and burned for atonement. Jesus came, died, rose again and became the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sin(s). What now? A new approach and perspective on atonement is prescribed. Romans 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

The altar is still an image and picture of God and His relationship with His people. We are exhorted to still come to the altar (alive) not to make an atoning sacrifice for our sin, but a living sacrifice, because atonement has already been made. R.C. Sproul says, “To be a Christian means to live a life of sacrifice, a life of presentation, making a gift of ourselves to God… that is the appropriate response to Him and for Him.”