Book of Romans
Lesson #36
Romans 13:8-14
By Rev. James May
In our last lesson we talked about being citizens of two kingdoms; the Kingdom of Heaven is our eternal home and the land that we all will dwell forever with the Lord; and the “kingdom in which we live on this earth”, the USA. While we dwell in the earth and are citizens of the United States we are bound by its laws and government as long as those laws do not conflict with the laws of God of his Holy Word.
The law of God and the ways of righteousness taught in the Word of God always trump the laws of the land. One example of this can be seen in Peter and the Apostles as they confronted the Jewish council. They had been arrested and cast into prison, and had been set free by an angel from the Lord, and went right back to preaching Jesus. The Jewish council was infuriated that these Jesus followers would not cease stirring up trouble and threatened them even more.
Acts 5:28 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.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
As time goes on I am convinced by all that I see happening, that the law of the land will become more and more opposed to the laws of God. Christianity is in the crosshairs all over the world, and now those sights are being set on the church within our own nation. Perhaps God will spare the church much of this persecution by taking us home in the Rapture at any time.
But there is no guarantee of this, for not only are we being prepared for the rapture, but we are still under the mandate to preach the gospel and win souls for Christ. We are to “occupy”, or keep on working as long as we are on this earth, and that occupying entails the great probability that we will face persecution far above what we see right now.
The church should be crying out to God every day in repentance, humbling ourselves before God and seeking his face. The power to delay that persecution and bring any kind of healing to our nation lies in the prayer of the saints who are trusting and believing God for revival.
On Tuesday, if you had the opportunity to do so, you watched history in the making. If you missed it, you can still see it and get the entire transcript of the speech of Israel’s Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, as he addressed the joint session of the American congress. His speech was laced with predictions and scenarios for the future of the Middle East and of the entire world which very well may hinge on the current foreign policies and deals being made with Israel’s enemies.
One thing he said was, “The battle between Iran and ISIS doesn't turn Iran into a friend of America.” He reiterated this again a few seconds later by saying, “So when it comes to Iran and ISIS, the enemy of your enemy is your enemy!”
This is a prediction that the battle against terrorism if far from over. In fact it says that the battle has only just begun. We cannot afford to support either side, for both sides are against us and both sides are determined to destroy Israel.
The prophetic words of God concerning these last days and the turmoil among nations, was truly magnified.
Jesus warned of these days in Matthew 24.
Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
While we watch history unfolding it can become so overwhelming that it will discourage even the strongest people of faith. We cannot dwell on it all of the time. Our trust is in Jesus and he has promised to be with us and never fail. No matter what happens, we win! Stay informed but don’t immerse yourself in the negative things that are going on. Instead; think on the good things and remember that your redemption is getting closer all of the time.
Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
That phrase “Kingdom against kingdom” has often been interpreted to mean “kingdoms of religions”, and that’s what we see in the rise of militant muslims declaring war on any other religion than their own. Their entire purpose is either the conversion of every soul to their system of religion, or wipe out everyone who refuses including peaceful muslims, Christians, Hindus or anyone else.
But I think that in a greater sense, “kingdom against kingdom” is the greater open opposition of the kingdoms of light and darkness being made obvious to even the most casual observer.
It is becoming transparent, and less deceptive in nature, that all of the religions of the world exist in stark contrast to the gospel of Jesus Christ because Jesus is still the only door to Heaven and salvation.
Just this morning I was reading an article that stated that the intolerance of Christianity in declaring that it is the only way, is what is driving this world to reject Christ in exchange for a religion of pluralism that says there are many ways to Heaven.
But even with all of this going on, Jesus says that we are not to fear and in Matthew 24:8, he says, All these are the beginning of sorrows.
The most troubling sign of this address of Prime Minister Netanyahu is that it showed a clear turning of American support away from Israel. Our President, most of his top cabinet aids and over 40 democratic leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives refused to attend, showing their opposition against Israel and amplifying the divisions within our own government.
Essentially, America is turning its back on Israel, and we all know what that means.
In a revelation of the prophetic word, Mr. Netanyahu made this statement, which to me was the most revealing of all that was said about what is shaping up to happen right now!
“For the first time in 100 generations, we, the Jewish people, can defend ourselves. This is why -- this is why, as a prime minister of Israel, I can promise you one more thing: Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand.”
In the Battle of Gog and Magog, described in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, Israel will stand alone in its fight against the invasion of its land. No nation will go to its rescue and yet God will fight for them and Israel will stand victorious.
To say that we are watching the preparations right now for the fulfilling of God’s Word in an understatement. We are coming down to the end! We must prepare ourselves and be watching and waiting for the soon coming of Christ to take his people home! Keep your eyes on that Eastern sky! Jesus is coming soon!
What does all of this have to do with our study of Romans? It’s very simple. The church in Paul’s day was experiencing many of the same persecutions that the church is facing today. Paul’s practical instructions on how to avoid some of the persecution and to put ourselves in the best position possible for being good witnesses and preachers of the gospel still work the same today.
Let’s continue to look into those practical instructions as we look at Romans chapter 13 beginning with verse 8.
Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
After having discussed the payment of dues such as taxes and support as required by laws to those who were placed in places of authority over them in the verses prior to verse 8, the apostle proceeds to encourage the saints to try and be free from all sorts of debts.
Though we all may have some debts, loans on houses, cars and such, we are to be as faithful as possible in the payment of the notes. All of us would love to be totally debt free, and sometimes we are able to reach that goal; but most people never really get free from all debt.
I’ve talked to loan officers and bankers from time to time and there have been a number of times when I’ve heard them say that their worst paying customers are preachers. It’s a shame to say that preachers of the gospel are so bad at paying their debts. Many times they just skip country and the loans have to be written off. It is getting much harder now to get away such things with the new technologies, but how shameful it is for a preacher to bring such a reproach on the gospel through breaking of his financial contracts.
A few years ago we had a man and wife who had obtained credentials with the La. District PCG. They moved out around the Lake Charles area and signed the contract to either lease or purchase a building for a church. They did this without consulting the District Board, or seeking any guidance. The first thing we would have told them is to first get a congregation in home meetings and such, and then get a building. But like so many overzealous and naive preachers, they entered into a contract where they tried to implicate the district offices as being responsible for the debt.
Of course it wasn’t legal because no officer of the district was ever involved in negotiating or signing for the loan they made. When they couldn’t make the payments because they never had any membership except themselves, and therefore no income to pay the note, they simply went through the bank drive through, dropped the key off with a note saying that they were leaving town and skipped out on the loan.
The last we heard from them, they had gone back to their home state up north, and the bank was still after them for the debt and had to foreclose on the mortgage because there was no legal claim against the La. District.
What do you think the chances are that another preacher who might be called to that area would have in getting a loan for a church after that? It’s not a sin to be in debt, but it is sin not to pay it back; plus it can get you in a lot of trouble with the law.
Christians should be open and honest in all of our dealings with the world. If you can’t pay the note, then don’t make the loan. If the loan note is too high then you can’t afford to buy whatever you are buying. We should be good stewards financially. How can God ever trust us with church business if we can’t handle our personal business?
To make a loan and then refuse to make the payments is the same in the eyes of the Lord as being a thief.
We aren’t just talking about financial and business dealings here either. There are all kinds of debts that each of owe in this world.
• We owe a debt of faithfulness to God, to one another and to obedience to the law of God.
• We owe a debt of gratitude for everything and everyone who has helped us along life’s pathway.
• We owe a debt of defending the freedom that we all hold dear.
• We owe a debt to pass along to our children a greater hope for tomorrow and in a world gone mad, that’s a hard debt to pay.
• We owe a debt to everyone we love and even meet to tell them about Jesus.
The one most important debt that we owe to all men is to show them the love of God. You can’t show love by not paying a debt. If we truly love, then love will compel us to pay our debts.
If we truly show the love of God, and treat every man as though there is true love there, then there will be no way that we could not pay our debt to them. Love will always be fair and honest, and of a good report among men. Godly love will not allow us to bring a reproach upon the name of Jesus and the gospel.
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 neighbour as thyself.
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Paying our debt of love for all men means that we must act according the laws of God, especially of the Ten Commandments. How can we violate the laws of God and treat other people in an ungodly manner and still claim to be in obedience to the Law? If we love our neighbor as our self; and we love God; then it’s impossible to defraud them.
The whole of God’s law is fulfilled by being obedient to this one commandment: Love your neighbor like you love yourself. You would not steal from yourself. You would not borrow from yourself what you cannot repay to yourself. You would not lie to yourself to the point of destroying yourself. You would not refuse any good thing to yourself willingly. And finally, you surely wouldn’t refuse to let yourself know about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The debt of love we owe to Christ compels us to tell others about Jesus.
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.
In these last days our greatest work should be focused on the winning of lost souls to Jesus. How can we win souls and cheat people at the same time. It’s impossible. So we must be honest and pay our debts. Our honesty alone becomes a witness in a world where dishonesty is the rule of the day.
If we really believe that time is short and Jesus is coming soon, we must do all that we can to be found as honest as we can in order to win souls.
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 armour of light.
Our time in this world of darkness is drawing to a close. That great eternal day is at hand. As Christians we are to cast off anything of this world that can be considered sinful and works of darkness. When the world sees you, it should see Christ in you; and his light should shine brightly in the darkness.
What is that armor of light? It’s the same as the armor of God, meaning that everywhere we go, and to whomever we talk too, that armor should be shining through.
First of all, the world around you should sense within you a power greater than yourself. Your strength comes from the presence of the Holy Ghost within you and it gives you a heart of confidence that all is well, and that you are an overcomer, no matter what the world is facing. When everyone else is in panic mode, you have a calm assurance that Christ in you will make you the victor.
Secondly, because you are walking in the Light of God, there is no power of hell that can deceive you. You will be able to discern truth from lie and even the most silver-tongued politician won’t have the power to convince you that he is speaking truth when he isn’t. While the whole world goes in deception, you will know the truth and it will give you a power that no one else has to stand for that truth.
You will know that your true struggle in this life is not against any man, but against the powers of hell and darkness. Flesh and blood may persecute you, but you know that the real persecution comes from demonic spirits and Satan himself that controls the hearts of sinful men. Therefore you pray for your enemies and don’t curse them as others do.
When everyone else is cowering in fear and running around trying to find answers, you’ll be quietly and confidently standing upon the Word of God that cannot fail. You will exhibit righteousness in a land of sin and shame.
You will walk with a purpose when everyone else is looking for the meaning of life and even giving up on life because they have no reason to live. You have the gospel of peace and the Prince of Peace, and your purpose is to tell others about this peace that they can have.
You will have faith and trust in the only true source of deliverance, Jesus Christ the Lord. That faith will keep you through the roughest of times. Satan’s attacks won’t come near you because of your faith in God to overcome all that the devil can do.
And above all, you will have joy in knowing that you are saved, Born Again and ready to meet Jesus whenever he shall call you home. Your foundation is in Jesus and his unfailing Word. Death itself will not be something to be feared for you will have the same assurance that the Apostle Paul had when he said, “For me to live is Christ, but die is even greater gain!”
These are the things that other people around you will see in you, and these will be what will open the door for you to tell them about Jesus! Then we must pay our debt of love by witnessing Christ to them!
Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Why must we be separated from the world? Why not be like everyone else?
The world will be as a drunkard, reeling back and forth unsteadily. There will be no safe place outside of Jesus’ place of safety. Economies will rise and fall, going every deeper into depression recession with only minor recovery until it comes again. There will be unbridled usage of alcohol and especially mind-altering and mood-altering drugs, and uninhibited fleshly displays and entertainment because those are the only sources of relief that sinful man knows how to find and have even a moment of false peace or pleasure in world that’s quickly dying.
We know that our strength, our peace, our joy and our victory are not found in the things of the flesh. No matter how much you feed the desires of the flesh, it only wants more!
Our source is in Jesus! Therefore we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh! By walking in the Spirit, we are lifted above the shadows of darkness in this world, into spiritual high places in God.
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
While the world knows fear, hatred, dread and death; those who dwell in Christ are experiencing the Grace of God and the kindness that comes from the throne of Heaven through Jesus.
The old hymn says it this way:
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
Standing for Jesus in these last days won’t be possible if we rely only upon our own power and the arm of the flesh, but it will be accomplished through standing upon God’s Word, leaning on Jesus and holding on to his unchanging hand.
