Chapter 13
Summary:
Paul continues to instruct Christians in how they should live. He begins by stating that Christians should respect and honor the governing authorities because they have been appointed by God. Also, Paul commands us to love one another. As he explains, all of the other commandments will be fulfilled by loving our neighbor. Therefore, “love is the fulfilling of the law” (13:10). Finally, Paul urges Christians to live in preparation for the day that Christ returns. Constantly fighting sin, we must put on the mindset and character of Jesus Christ, in preparation for that day.
Key Verses:
13:10 “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.”
Question:
How do Christians respond when the governing authority is acting contrary to their beliefs?
Answer:
Paul, in Romans 13, proclaims that we should submit to the governing authority, for they have been appointed by God. Throughout history, governments have demanded Christians reject their beliefs, to which R.C. Sproul says, “there are occasions on which Christians not only may but must disobey the civil magistrates.” Other than these times, however, we are called to submit to our governing authority and pray earnestly for them. Modern Day Application:
In America, many Christians are upset with the direction of the country, evident in the presidential candidates.
‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. The second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two precepts hang all the law and the prophets’ (Mathew 22.37, 38, 39, 40). ‘By this all men know that they are my disciples, if ye have love one to another’ (John 13.35) …’He who loveth God loveth his brother also’ (1 John 4.21) …’If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar’ (1 John 4.20) …The first thing that takes our attention is the saying of Jesus, ‘Thou shalt love,’ etc. (501-2)
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
In Paul’s epistle to the Romans he gives us the foundation of Christian life in regards to how we should not only see the world, but also how we should act in a world that rejects the gospel of Christ. In Romans 1-8 Paul teaches us how we are not able to come to a saving grace through our works, but that it must come from Christ alone, and not only to the Jews, but to the Gentiles also. Paul tells us however, that this will not be easy, but we that we need to remember who is ultimately in control of everything around us.
In Romans 13, it says “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” This means that we should follow all governing authority, but what if the government is doing something that is against what God says, do we still follow them? Acts 5:29 states “We must obey God rather that men. What this means is that we must follow our governing authorities, but only if they are doing something that is God’s Will.
Christian ought to examine himself and seek to bear his own sins. As motivation to do good, Paul
Many people fear politics, regardless of this fear christians need to have an active role in politics, and should be influencing the domestic and international community with their roles. With the founding of the country christians adopted basic biblical rules and used them as the foundation for what our country has become. Recently, the Christian community has turned to attacking foreign groups and those who differ in opinion.Jim Wallis, in his article “Iraq: Humility Is the Best Option” does a wonderful job of explaining why the United States should try approaching terrorism with a humble attitude. I admire the attempts of the christian individuals and politicians who are attempting to deliver this message. Unfortunately, I do not think
The author concludes that Christians are to live faithfully by the values of the bible. As members of society, we are expected to play a critical role in in our community rather than isolating ourselves from those opposed to Christian worldviews. There are ways for Christians to live out their faith, but still remain active parts in the community.
In David Barton’s, The Role of Pastors and Christians in Civil Government, he accurately explains how the Christians and Evangelicals can change the future of the country through voting. It is the fault of the Evangelicals if the morality of American culture continues to decline. The reasoning is that the Evangelicals are not involved by voting. Because the Evangelicals are not voting the country is electing leaders who do not have the same biblical values as the Evangelicals do. Some vote without thinking about the generations following after them.
After reading three articles, I think Christian response to government should be dissatisfied. It doesn't mean that Christians should start facing government as an enemy. As a follower, government might also need to consider the verses from Romans 13:1-7: “Because God has ordained government authority for our good, we must be subject to our government.” Oppositions are not always bad, it can also be the progress of success in the future. In my opinion, I think public office is depends on the situation, because sometime it can be either againsting Christianity or follow it. Serving military is not a bad thing, train our limits, make ourselves stronger, but people should notice that military is also same as “weapon”. Everything is a preparation
Christianity is a vast umbrella; a faith that shelters many souls. Believers of the Christian faith, if adhering to the scripture of the bible are governed to practice acts of empathy, compassion, kindness, selflessness, etc..Christians are supposed to reject judgment on one another, even though that is a trying task because mankind does it without effort. However, Christians believe that God created all in his image and we are all children of him. With that premise, it would be blasphemous to use such a faith to ones advantage. Political leaders tend to play on peoples emotions by using the power that Christianity holds against them by strong arming them to believe that if they do not follow them they are bad and in a sense rebelling against
“The laws of Nature are the laws of God, whose authority can be superseded by no power on earth”-George Mason 1772(Founding Fathers 2). The presence of God is in every part of America. The Christian religion was brought to American shores by nearly all who immigrated to the United States. The American nation was built on the principles of “one nation under God” and now people want to erase Him from everything. ‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all’. By stating allegiance to the flag allegiance is given to country; a country founded on Christian principles and a belief in God. The words “one nation under God”
commandment us to love one another according to John 13:36 through salvation we can show
"Owe nothingto anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not committ adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal;you shall not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, "You shall love your
Next we move to old Joseph Goebbels propaganda minister, it is the absolute right of the State to supervise the formation of public opinion. Think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play. The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over. This sound like our great media today spread lies till the masses believe. So this brings me to the point for which I wrote. Romans 13:1 are we called to unconditionally follow the authority of any Government as Christians? Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men. “Acts 5:29.If our government is in line with scripture morally and scripturally we are to follow without questioning, but it’s up to us as individual to know what God’s word says not what we thing it says. We must study, don’t rely on what is inside of you for truth. 5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagining of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. We reach out side of our self to know God. We read his book, we understand his wisdom. We are meant to read God’s words and they fill our mind therefore washing it regenerating it making
Paul's letter to the Galatians describes (in part) how to maintain Christian liberty and how to walk in the Spirit.