Wow! This election year is one that this generation will remember for a very long time! I for one struggled with it. I know many of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ struggled right beside me. If nothing else this election shined the light on the attitudes of our hearts! Among many people, I am sad and embarrassed to say among some confessing Christians, there was not a lot of love shown. There were a lot of hostile and evil remarks made on all sides. I do not know who you voted for? Maybe the outcome is not what you and I would have liked. But according to Romans 13:1-7 we must submit to the authority established by God. In this same chapter Paul teaches, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9.
What a timely word from God. It is time to subject to what this chapter teaches concerning subjection to our governing authorities and love for our neighbor. Repentance may be in order! Subjection to our governing authorities and to our neighbor is the result of our love for God.
Make No Provision for the Flesh!
Believers in Jesus Christ are in the sanctifying process of our walk with Christ. Paul taught in the first 11 chapters of Romans the truth of the Gospel and the work of the cross. Paul now moves us along to learn how to walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord. He ends the thirteenth chapter of Romans with the call to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.
Flesh Denies Subjection to Government: Love For God Subjects Itself to Government!
Love for God and neighbor subjects itself to that which God commands.
Romans 13:1-7 calls for subjection to the governing authorities God Himself established. Rulers are ministers of God for our good. There is no need to live in fear of them unless we do not submit to their authority. I would like to interject something before we move on. The government can be a source of fear when we look at the power they are trying to take over the people. I understand what we may be thinking. But, we are not to fear that either if we truly believe in the Sovereignty of God. Ultimately He is in complete control.
The only time we are not to submit would be if they command us to deny Him. At that point we submit to the punishment that they require. I think of Daniel, Paul, and Silas. They took the punishment due them and God spared their lives. God may not always spare our earthly lives but if you are a believer He does protect your heavenly life in Christ Jesus!
“Render to all what is due them; tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear’ honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:7
Love for God Subjects Itself to Love for Our Neighbor!
John teaches in 1 John 4:19, “We love because God first loved us.” We do not love God before He first loves us. We do not truly love our brothers and sisters in Christ until the love of God is poured into our hearts! “If we say we love God yet hate our brother we are liars. The one who does not love his brother whom he sees cannot love God whom he has not seen.” 1 John 4:20
I believe Paul to be echoing these same words in Romans 13. Love does no wrong to his neighbor in thought, word, or deed. Therefore love subjects itself for the good of our neighbor thereby fulfilling the Law of God.
Our love for God and neighbor calls us to proper behavior in the laying aside of the deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light. I believe love is the armor that protects our neighbor. We love our neighbor in the day when all our deeds are exposed. Deeds of the flesh are done at night or in the darkness so no one can see them. Love knows that God sees all things done in the day and done at night.
What is Love?
1 Corinthians 13 gives the best definition of love. So I will end this post with these verses.
“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not act take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails… 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES
Why is it That Important to Memorize Scripture
Why I recommend the New Inductive Study Bible
I want to Know You… Studying the Attributes of God
Six Important Questions to Ask When You Study the Bible
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Lisa, this is chapter we all need to reread and take to heart during these times. While we have the beautiful freedom of speech it doesn’t give Christians the permit to speak evil because of what is going on in our country. God is in control and nothing takes Him by surprise – we need to remember that. Thanks for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.