Lesson 2021

(Lesson 2021)(05-15-17) Romans 13:1-5

"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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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: 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. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."

In today's quote, Paul, in essence, instructed the membership of the church in Rome to obey the laws of the land. He did so knowing that, in general, civil laws seldom contradict the rules of righteousness that God has laid out for His children. If one simply loves God with all that they are, and also treats all of mankind as God would have us do, that one should never be found in disobedience of any civil law.

In total contradiction with what Paul taught herein, there are today, far too many so-called Christians who set themselves apart to judge the actions of their fellow man/woman based on what they perceive to be "right" instead of simply obeying the laws as they are set out by governmental authority and backed by, not only this scripture, but others such as 1 Peter 2:13-15, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men".

Let it be known that what I have said herein is NOT an instruction that permits obeying carnal law over the "great" commandments that Jesus left for us, which are; "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31 in part.) Again, if we simply follow these two commandments, we will be in obedience with the laws of the land.~