Prepare: To resist the law is to resist God who established them.
Read: Romans 13:1-8
Believers are citizens of heaven, but we must not minimize our responsibilities on earth. We must be exemplary citizens so that the Lord will be glorified.
Do what is right: God has established three institutions on this earth. The home (Gen 2:18-25), government (Gen 9:1-17) and the church (Acts 2). Paul wrote this epistle when Christians were being persecuted. Paul explains four reasons why a Christian must submit to the law of the State. To resist the law is to resist God who established the government. Though God has established the governments of the world, He is not responsible for their sins. Even though we cannot always respect the person who is in authority, we must respect his office, for government was ordained by God. Even though government officials may not be believers, they are still the servants of God because it is God who has established the authority of the State.
Maintain a good conscience: The motivation to obey the law goes higher in this section. A Christian has to obey the law, not because of fear of punishment, but because of conscience and a desire to obey the Lord. If the government interferes with the consciences of a Christian, the Christian must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). But when the law is right, the Christian must obey the law, if he is to maintain a good conscience (1 Tim. 1:5, 19; 3:9;4:2;Acts 24:16). Verse 7 commands us to pay what we owe-taxes, revenue, respect and honour.
Respond: O God, renew my Christian conscience regarding my attitude towards government laws and rules.
Read: Romans 13:1-8
Believers are citizens of heaven, but we must not minimize our responsibilities on earth. We must be exemplary citizens so that the Lord will be glorified.
Do what is right: God has established three institutions on this earth. The home (Gen 2:18-25), government (Gen 9:1-17) and the church (Acts 2). Paul wrote this epistle when Christians were being persecuted. Paul explains four reasons why a Christian must submit to the law of the State. To resist the law is to resist God who established the government. Though God has established the governments of the world, He is not responsible for their sins. Even though we cannot always respect the person who is in authority, we must respect his office, for government was ordained by God. Even though government officials may not be believers, they are still the servants of God because it is God who has established the authority of the State.
Maintain a good conscience: The motivation to obey the law goes higher in this section. A Christian has to obey the law, not because of fear of punishment, but because of conscience and a desire to obey the Lord. If the government interferes with the consciences of a Christian, the Christian must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). But when the law is right, the Christian must obey the law, if he is to maintain a good conscience (1 Tim. 1:5, 19; 3:9;4:2;Acts 24:16). Verse 7 commands us to pay what we owe-taxes, revenue, respect and honour.
Respond: O God, renew my Christian conscience regarding my attitude towards government laws and rules.
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