021226 Meditational Nuggets from the Book of Romans Chapter 13 KJB
“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.
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.”
Put On the Armour of Light
Romans 13:1-7 KJV
“[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.
[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.”
From this chapter is the continuation of Paul’s teachings about Christian way of living; setting a pattern on how every believers, during his time, even until today should behave, particularly in dealing with every aspects of life. He detailedly emphasized every aspects, even on how we should all be in subjection unto the higher authority, which are ordained by GOD, whom are expected to executes judgement upon the doers of evil.
This question arises which the LORD himself addressed particularly to those who rules in the priesthood, law experts and in the governing bodies, “what if the higher authority becomes the initiator of breaking the law, teaching the law but do otherwise, and the abusers of power?
Apostle Paul gave an answer from this verse” “[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
1. He emphasized that we all should be subjected to the higher powers. For there is no power but of GOD. v1
This applies to all even to them who are in power; GOD put them to become servants to execute the law, but if they will become the breaker of the law, they will not escape the judgement of GOD. There will be a tine of reconning. It is also inevitable that there will be uproars that will leads to rebellion, from which both sides will be subjected to judgement if they will not do what is right according to GOD’s instruction: for authority and power are ordained by Him
He specifically instructed everyone accordingly, such as:
• the ruler should give high regard to their appointment; always consider to give honor to GOD through their incorruptible public service as being the elected leader.
• the rulers who rules well should be entitled to the respect, obedience and honor from the people under his jurisdiction.
• the rulers should be the executioner of law against evil
• all rulers will never be exempted from the righteous judgment which comes from GOD who is the ultimate Ruler of all.
✓ the people who are citizens of a nation should acknowledge the authority and obey the law of the land.
✓ the people should be aware of every law-given ordinances such as:
1. Paying tributes/ taxes
2. Performing obligations and complying to ordinances
3. Producing progress for the welfare of the nation
4. Praying for all the rulers particularly the ones who are in the higher authority.
Each one of us who are among the body of CHRIST are expected to always be reminded to live productively, progressively and prayerfully; through these, we give our wholehearted honor and praises to our Loving LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST which will glorify The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit: The Holy Loving GOD Almighty.
Romans 13:8-14 KJV
“8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
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.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
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.
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.”
Apostle Paul further teaches through this epistle on how Christianity should be by stating “owe no man any thing” contextually not only in the aspect of monetary or material obligations, but in the whole aspect of indebtedness. He obviously address about moral obligation; for he specifically wrote reciting the law given by GOD to Moses:
“8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
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.”
These then are Apostle Paul’s given lecture for us to be aware that if we commit any of what he mentioned, we are indebted and should be held accountable.
2. He elaborated that we all surrender our selfish desires to the LORD JESUS’ law. For He said: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” v9
• Love is the fulfilling of the law. If the pure love of our LORD is in our heart, we will likely owe no one in particular from what the law said we shall not.
• Live awakened as in the day and cast off the works of darkness in the night. Walk honestly:
- not in rioting( disturbance to public peace and safety) and drunkenness (getting drunk with intoxicating liquor and addictive substances that causes a person to do things they should not, and the worst, commit heinous crime).
- not in chambering(a desire to a forbidden bed; even the thoughts or watching porn falls on this ) and wantonness (lewdness and sexual immorality: all form of sexual acts outside marriage are sin, and Christian should never be found guilty of any)
-not in strife (violent contention) and envying(malicious desire to possess other’s advantage)
We should always be reminding ourselves: our way of life is an open book to others. No matter how we hide our pet sins we commit in darkness could not be hidden to the glaring light of GOD. If we can’t abstain ourselves from doing it again and again, repent and ask help from Him. His loving hand is able to deliver. Then after we overcome, we must always put on the armor of light which comes from JESUS CHRIST and not put it off, that the lust could not take control of our body anymore; for as long as we live, we are still prone to be tempted. For the enemy the devil is as a hungry lion watching every idle believers to lure into his irresistible temptation.
1 Peter 5:8 1 Peter 5:8 KJV “ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
Let the Love of GOD and the grace of JESUS CHRIST through the empowerment of the HOLY SPIRIT rule our heart, mind and body, that we should live every moment of our life be subjected to the power which comes from GOD, and surrender our selfish desires to JESUS CHRIST; that we may always give glory to our Heavenly Father who accepted us among His beloveds.
May we all give Him the glory and honor and praises everyday and ever.
Amen!