Romans (Written)

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:2

This verse begins with “therefore” as an introduction to the consequences of disobeying the prescription of the previous verse where all people are to “be subject to the governing authorities.” When we fail in this regard, we can only expect the governing authorities to respond with the force they bear against malefactors.

“Whoever” is given as an all-encompassing round up of those who would subvert the duly established authority which was appointed by God. By stating “whoever” Paul is ensuring that we note that believers are not exempt from the statement. If we think that because we are a part of Christ’s kingdom that we are not subject to earthly rule and authority, we are only deluding ourselves. And so, “whoever (including believers) resists the authority resists the ordinance of God.” Why? Because verse 1 told us so. The “authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

If we fight against our God-appointed rulers, we are fighting against what God has ordained. It couldn’t be laid out any more clearly. And such resistance “will bring judgment on themselves.” The word for “judgment” is krima, a word that is at times used for “condemnation.” However, it should be noted that civil disobedience by a believer doesn’t mean they will lose their salvation. This isn’t the type of condemnation spoken of. A sealed believer is saved, despite such wrongdoing. It is rather speaking of condemnation within the framework of the society, up to and maybe including a sentence of death.

When we do wrong, we can only expect whatever punishment is handed out for wrongdoing. And even when we don’t do wrong, if the society sees our actions as wrong, judgment may still come. The apostles found this out. Most of them were beaten, tortured, and executed for their faith. The same is true with countless millions since their time. But Peter (who was martyred for his faith) says this concerning such suffering –

^“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.” 2 Peter 1:19

Life application: At times, the values of our leaders are much different than those that we as Christians hold to. However, if their decisions don’t force us to act in a manner contrary to our faith, we must be obedient to their rules. This is right and pleasing in the sight of God who ordained those leaders to be over us.

Lord God, I want to take time today to give You thanks and gratitude for the many blessings You have bestowed upon me. How can I ask for more when You have given me so much? Help me to be content with this life and understand that I have it so much better than so many in the history of humanity who have walked upon this earth of Yours. Thank You, Lord. Yes, thank You. Amen.

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Romans 13:1

Paul now begins a new chapter and a new direction of thought. His statement in verse 1 is clear and concise. It is prescriptive in nature, meaning it is a prescribed directive; not a “wish” but a command. The second half of the verse will explain the first half. Afterwards, he will give obvious conclusions based on his comment here. Verse 1 begins with, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.”

God’s people are in this world, here and now. Though we belong to a higher rule and authority which exists, it is a spiritual kingdom at this point. Until Christ returns and sets up His kingdom here on earth, He has appointed us to live within His spiritual kingdom while at the same time living under human authorities.

Because of this, we are directed to “be subject to the governing authorities.” This means that we are to be obedient to the laws of the land, whatever they may be. But there is an obvious conclusion that we can make. If we are under the rule of Christ, the highest authority that exists, and a governing authority under which we live issues a rule which is contrary to the precepts of the Bible, then we must disobey that rule of the lower government.

This is no different than how individual states are set up under the overarching federal rule. If America, for example, has a set law, and a state issues an order which violates the federal law, then we must obey the federal law over the state law. The same is true with our obligation to God. This precept is seen explicitly exercised by the apostles who faced the high priest and council in Jerusalem. When they were given a directive contrary to what God would have them do, their answer was that, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29.

However, supposing that the government under which we live has issued nothing contrary to our duties to God, we are expected to be in submission to them. And the reason is given, “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Time and again, the Bible notes that it is God who sets up kingdoms and brings them low. He directs the course of nations according to an infinitely wise plan. He also directs where we will be born and live out our years (Acts 17:26-28). Therefore, because He has established these things, we are bound under them and are expected to be in adherence to what He has ordained.

Life application: Regardless of where you live and whether you agree with the policies of your governing authorities or not, you are expected to be obedient to them. The exception is that you are never to violate your obligations to God in order to adhere to what a human government has ordained. And how can you know when such a violation of God’s rule is directed? By knowing your Bible. Read your Bible.

Heavenly Father, I know that my highest allegiance is to You. Help me to be strong in the face of persecution if it comes my way, and help me to be obedient to Your rule above all else. Grant me the fortitude to work against evil at all levels and to never compromise my adherence to Your word and obedience to the faith I have placed in my Lord Jesus. Amen.

Monday, 25 November 2013

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Paul finishes chapter 12 of Romans with this verse. When we allow ourselves to be overcome by evil, we are the ones who lose the battle. This is perfectly obvious when observing the actions of an instigator. As he needles and pushes he will delight in his perverse exploits. As one falls prey to him, the smug satisfaction of victory can be evidenced on his face; he has overcome and feels vindicated by the reduction of you, his foe, to his own depraved level.

However, if you stand against him and continue to put forth blessings and goodness, there will eventually be a vindication of your approach in one of a couple ways. One is that the instigator will simply release a stream of anger and profanity and depart, or he may concede that you have been right in your actions. Either way, good has overcome the evil.

An excellent place to see this in action is on a news talk show where a political issue is debated. Or, listening to various talk-radio hosts will allow the same opportunity. Those hosts who continuously put forth a stream of positive thoughts and encouragements will inevitably win their debate. Eventually, opponents don’t even bother entering the dialogue because they see that the host won’t be shaken.

However, for those hosts who allow themselves to get rattled, those who engage them will continue to needle them until that comes about. In these cases, even if the stronger or morally right argument is held by the host, the debate is still lost.

This is what Paul is speaking of in any life situation. When we allow evil to overcome, then only evil has come. But when we overcome evil with good, then good has prevailed and the enemy is silenced.

Life application: One of the most difficult tasks of all is to know when to throw out a blessing in order to fend off an attack. As a stable and reasonable thinker you will always win the argument if you keep your emotions in check and allow grace, not angry emotion, to rule the situation. Learn this thought from Paul and remember it when you face such pressure – “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:6

Lord God, help my words to be seasoned with grace and free from anger. Grant me the ability to throw out a blessing instead of reviling when I’m attacked by others. I know that as soon as I respond in anger, the argument is lost. So please, help me to overcome evil with good and to never be overcome by the evil which comes my way. In so doing, I know that You will be glorified. Amen.  

Sunday, 24 November 2013

Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Romans 12:20

Paul begins this verse with “therefore” which is translated from the word alla – “on the contrary.” He has been speaking of not repaying evil with evil and not taking vengeance on others. Instead of such actions, he says that, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink.” This is almost a direct quote from Proverbs 25:21. Proverbs is one of the five “wisdom” books in the Old Testament and is one which peers deep into the state of humanity and then pulls out general applications which can (and should be) used regularly. Many of Jesus’ sayings bear directly on the wisdom found there. In intent, His statement in Matthew 5:43-45 follows the same line of thinking now presented by Paul in this chapter of Romans –

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

What Paul has written here in verse 20, is an obvious, clear, and direct statement. It has been the customary practice of many soldiers throughout wars of the past. When the battle is engaged, you fight without holding back, but when the enemy surrenders, you patch up their wounds, give them food, and treat them decently.

This type of truly noble behavior has the positive effect of helping to bring nations together after wars end. The nations which fail to do this continue to have long-standing animosities even generations later, but those who practice this attitude can resolve their conflicts and put the past behind them very quickly. This same attitude is asked of believers as well.

By acting in this manner, we are told that “in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Coals of fire are extremely hot and very targeted in where their heat is directed. Unlike an open flame which is all-consuming, a coal will burn what it touches directly. When coals are heaped on something, that thing will be consumed by the heat, but the surrounding area will remain unaffected. A coal, for example, is an extremely effective means of torture.

The idea here isn’t that of actual torture, but that the same intended effect will result. Just as heaping coals on someone’s head is intended to obtain a complete change in the person, the kindness expected of the believer towards their enemy will achieve the same. The very notion of kindness to one’s bitter enemy is so contrary to what they would expect, that when it is received, their complete change in attitude is almost certain.

Life application: As difficult as it is to bless one’s foes, lovingly care for one’s enemies, and willfully withhold the returning of evil for evil, it is what we are called to do. In the end, by taking this course the change in the one who we direct these favors to will hopefully result in their conversion. Such a change has eternal value, so let us pursue these difficult avenues zealously.

Lord God, I suppose that feeding my enemy, turning the other cheek, and blessing those who curse me is about as difficult to do as anything You ask of me. But You have asked me to pursue these avenues of peace and reconciliation. As You are Lord, I will do my best to comply. Forgive me when I fail and strengthen me in my resolve to meet Your expectations. Amen.

Saturday, 23 November 2013

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  Romans 12:19

Paul has just written these words to us – “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

In order to show that this is the proper avenue and that repaying evil for evil is completely unnecessary, he will turn to Scripture (“for it is written”) to show us that all will work out as it should. He begins though with “Beloved.” By beginning with this, he is making an appeal to the heart because it is the heart which will inevitably lead us to do wrong if left unattended.

And so in a heartfelt appeal we are now given our instructions, “Do not avenge yourselves.” This is linked right back to “Repay no one evil for evil.” As noted, committing an evil doesn’t cover an evil, it simply produces more evil. To grasp this, think of the modern call for abortion. The original demands came under the guise of fairness; cases of rape and incest certainly necessitated making the procedure legal, right? Once the foot was in the door, it opened the procedure for any and every reason. But even if it were only for cases of rape and incest, it doesn’t make it morally right. To murder an innocent human because a previous sin was committed doesn’t negate the original sin, it merely adds another to it. This is the logic of Paul here.

And so, rather than us carrying out vengeance, we are told instead to “give place to wrath.” This expression is speaking of divine wrath. Though it may seem slow in coming, it will in fact come. The wicked shall not always prosper and they will have a day of reckoning. And so we are asked to not get in the way of the divine wrath; something that we will do when we take matters of vengeance into our own hands.

And this is where Paul now cites Scripture. He refers back to Deuteronomy 32:35 for a verse from the Song of Moses to justify his stand – “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” As surely as evil is committed, the Lord has vowed to repay. There is no “getting off scot-free” and all sin will be judged. Because the Lord has spoken, He will follow through. This then is an absolute guarantee. So why would we seek to repay evil with evil when His coming judgment of the first evil will suffice?

Having said this, and understanding it to be true, there is still the caution against going too far in the opposite direction. This verse is held up on banners at rallies opposing the execution of criminals. It is often misquoted, being taken completely out of its intended context, in an attempt to stand against those who commit violations of set laws. This is an abuse of what is being stated here and is similar to the incessant and continuously incorrect use of “Judge not lest you be judged.”

Jesus never surrendered His rights under the law, but appealed to the law during His trial. Throughout the rest of the New Testament, the apostles appeal to the law for their defense and as a just means of settling wrong-doings within society (see 1 Peter 2:13-17 for example). This verse today is speaking of personal vengeance, not the regular and proper execution of sentences within the framework of the governing laws of the land.

Life application: Paul has shown, directly from Scripture, that the Lord will avenge evil. It is not within our right to do so, except within certain contexts, such as the law of the land. Leave personal vengeance to the Lord. He will repay.

Lord God, when I see evil in the world, I really would like to handle the judgment all by myself… setting things right as I see it. But You have asked that I not repay evil for evil and that instead You are my protector and defender. In the end, You have vowed to repay all evil and execute justice. Though it is hard, I will confidently wait on Your timing, knowing that You have it all worked out. Amen.