Nov -6-2011 Can You Be Counted on? Romans 13:1-14 (Lesson)
In chapter 13 we are still talking about the service and the responsibility we have as a child of God...in our actions toward others, our attitude toward authority of government leaders, how we treat our neighbors, our behavior before man and God.
God established our leaders for a purpose so, we should submit to Gods established plan for the world.
It's also our duty as a Christian to vote for those who we see fit to be leaders.
The best citizen ought to be the Christian citizen. Though the church is not to get involved in party politics, individual believers certainly should use their God-given privileges as citizens to see to it that the best leaders are elected and the best laws are enacted and enforced justly.
**** Can you be counted on........As a citizen ************
Romans 13:1-7 (KJV)
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.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
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:
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.
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; honour to whom honour.
When Paul wrote this and the new believers read it about how they were to submit to the Roman government...how do you think they felt?
This was the very government that nailed the Lord Jesus to the cross and Paul was saying in verse 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.
In other words...obey it or be subject unto the higher powers. because God established it.
If we rebel against our leaders...then in a since we are rebelling against God authority.
Do we see Gods plan coming together right before our eyes as far as governments are concerned?
How about the economy? Counties all our the world are looking for answers for their money problems. (The antichrist )
How about "wars and rumors of war"? How about the war to end all wars? (Armageddon)
The rapture?....tribulation? ...great tribulation?...Christ return?
Also we see that we should fear the law ...not only because its Gods established it but, because of its wraft against those who disobey it.
We also are to pay tribute or pay taxes.
We as Christians have a responsibility to be a good citizen and respect the laws of the land because God ordained them.
A man sent a check to the government for back taxes with a note attached that said:
“I felt so guilty for cheating on my taxes I had to send you this check. If I don’t feel any better, I’ll send you the rest.”
**********************Can we be trusted as a (neighbor)
Romans 13:8-10 (KJV)
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
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 neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Owe no one anything. Not a against borrowing money, which Scripture permits and regulates (cf. Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:35–37; Deut. 15:7–9; Neh. 5:7; Pss. 15:5; 37:21, 26; Ezek. 22:12; Matt. 5:42; Luke 6:34)
But, Paul’s point is that all our financial obligations must be paid when they are due.
Verse 9
To demonstrate that love fulfills the law, Paul cites 4 of the Ten Commandments dealing with human relations.
If we treat others with the same care that we have for ourselves, we will not violate any of God’s laws regarding relationships.
Loving your neighbor is the fullness of the law. This love, is the fruit of the Spirit. It should come natural to a child of God.
**********************Times Require*****
Romans 13:11-14 (KJV)
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.
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 armour 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.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
If there has ever been a time that we need to awake and put on the light and stay away from darkness...its now.
The day is at hand....so we should walk in the light....in the spirit with all anticipation that the Lord will come at any minute....because He could.
Paul sadi instead of lusting after the things of the flesh....put on the Lord Jesus.
Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller www.themillersbiblestudy.com
