A very short chapter today so let’s get started, Romans 13 and verse 1 reads.
Rom.13:1] 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.
Let’s get this correct. Yes the Lord sets up government authority, “but when the kings disobey God, they automatically abdicate their worldly power”. (John Calvin 1561, Geneva). So when the king or government becomes evil, or turns on its people, then they have lost power and respect from the Lord. In Ephesians Ch.6 it reads; “Children, obey your parents in the Lord.” In the Lord, if they are against the Lord then don’t break the Lord’s law just because they told you to. Remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. They would rather suffer the fiery furnace than worship other gods or golden image. (Daniel 3). Jesus taught us in Mat.22 this and it reads.
Mat.22:15] Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
This is the Pharisees trying to set up Jesus.
Mat.22:16] And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
Beware of people who flatter you.
Mat.22:17] Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
Do we pay taxes or not.
Mat.22:18] But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
[19] Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
[20] And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
[21] They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
[22] When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Jesus says to pay your taxes because money is of the world, but God is Spirit. Therefore, obey the laws and keep from prison, the Lord has need of you and he can’t use you if you are in prison. Back to Romans and verse 2 reads.
Rom.13:2] 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.
That summed it up pretty good. If evil rules over you, then it is God, and your faith in him, who watches over the righteous.
Rom.13:8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Don’t borrow from a man, borrow from a bank. Love fulfills the law.
Rom.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.
All those were the last five of the Ten Commandments. Treat your neighbor as you want to be treated by him. And if your king or government tells you to do any of these things against the law, do not become evil yourselves.
Rom.13:10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Never forget that verse. Following the commandments of God is fulfilling the word of God. Love is the law.
Rom.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.
[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.
Eyes that see and ears that hear. Armor of light? John 1:4 reads.
John 1:4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Jesus is the Light of the world. Back to Romans and verse 13 reads.
Rom.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.
[14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
You bet! Let’s go to Ephesians chapter six and read how we put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph.6:10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
See why Jesus is the Light? Also note “wickedness in high places”, that’s where we started in verse 1.
Eph.6:13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Not to fly away, but stand.
Eph.6:14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Therefore, we watch. With Christ as our gospel armor, we have the truth, we have the Word of God. let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible