THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of Scripture studies is designed to help you in daily honoring God with adoration through Bible study.

We have a great friend in Gary Godard.
He has set up an archive page.
To view ALL the prior Scripture studies by book and chapter, just clik

HERE.

Bruce McGee
P.O. Box 1627
Columbia, LA 71418

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE STUDY
ROMANS

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.

The first seven verses of this chapter speak to the Christian about his/her responsibility to governmental authority.

Government is a form of God's power keeping mankind from being as bad as mankind would be otherwise.

Someone said, "You cannot legislate righteousness."
That may be true, but we can legislate against UNrighteousness!
And that's what laws are. (See 1Peter 2:13-16)

We must speak to the fact of corrupt governments.
There are, generally speaking, two types of citizens:
1) Those who have submitted themselves to God and expect a just and righteous civil authority, 2) Those who have rebelled against God and can expect an oppressive government, designed to return them in repentance to God.

Yes. The Christian has a responsibility to follow the laws of the governing authority.
But also, the Christian has a responsibility to speak out against immoral and corrupt rulership!

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Take particular notice of that word "damnation".
It is derived from the Greek krima, which means judgment for punitive measures due to criminality.
In the context of this writing, the word does not refer to eternal punishment.

If a person is acting in a criminal manner and "resisteth the power" of the governing authority, he/she can expect to be punished accordingly!

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:

The word "terror" is derived from the Greek phobos which means fear.
The government authority SHOULD bring fear to those who are doing "evil".
That same authority should NOT bring fear to those who are doing "good works."

One person was sent to jail because as an elected position (Clerk of Court), they refused to issue a marriage license to a "same-sex" couple.
The law of the State did NOT allow for same-sex marriage.
That Clerk was OBEYING the law!

Two businesses, on opposite ends of the country, politely refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
As a result, BOTH owners received adjudication requiring fines and legal fees which bankrupted their businesses.

Christians have a responsibility to legally, and respectfully speak against such actions!

Even speaking against such actions, the Christian is STILL commanded by our Lord to "do that which is good."

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.

The representative of a governing body is a "minister of God" (when doing that which is right in the sight of God).
Therefore, if a person does "that which is evil" he/she should have fear.
Because that "minister" has authority "to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

May I say that this principle should apply to those who HAVE the authority also!
For they are also citizens of the governing authority.

And, Christians, we must (legally, and respectfully) "hold their feet to the fire" to do that which is GOOD!
For you are a "minister" of God also; and have an obligation to those around you to speak clearly about what is just and righteous - and what is not.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

We are not "subject" to the authority only because of fear.
We are subject also because of "conscience"!

This is why it is imperative that Christians pray and study the Bible diligently.
It is then, we know the presence of our Lord by His Holy Spirit.
And, He will tell us what is right and what is wrong.
He will also assist us in speaking correctly when we are confronted about our actions.

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.

The manner in which you are assessed those taxes may be difficult to understand at times.
But Jesus said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
(Mark 12:17)

Most of us have taxation deducted from our paychecks.
How about deducting from your paycheck what you and God agree should be your giving to Him?!?

Thus, we will honor our government by paying taxes;
And, we will honor our Lord by giving Him what is right!

Remember also that government leaders deserve our respect.
When they are honorable and just, we should pay them "tribute".
When they are NOT honorable and just, we should STILL respect the office and be honorable in our speech toward them.

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.

If we genuinely care for and are affectionate toward others we will not:
"commit adultery, ....kill, ... steal, ...bear false witness,.....(and) covet."

The laws of God are such that if we genuinely love God and others, everything else will fall in place!

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.

"SINCE we believed", or since the day we surrendered to Jesus as Lord, we have learned that
Jesus COULD COME AGAIN any day!

You PLAN your time every week. When to get up, when to go to work, when to take care of your house, and when to go play.
But are you REALLY ALERT to the fact that Jesus could come ANY TIME?
Are you planning prayer time and Bible study time into EACH day?
Are you planning church attendance into EACH week?

Therefore, Christian, it is time to "awake" from laxness and GET BUSY for Jesus!!
TELL others that the Lord is coming SOON!

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.

The word "night" in the Bible may refer to nightime darkness, or it may refer to spiritual darkness.
(See 1Thessalonians 5:5)

The night of the darkness of man's evil is coming to a CLOSE!
It is almost time for Jesus, "the bright and morning star" (Rev. 22:16), to arise and put an end to man's evil!

So "cast off" the evil deeds of mankind, and begin to plan for Jesus' appearing!
Remember what Jesus said, "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." (Luke 12:40)

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.

Doing this, will keep the Christian from focusing on worldly pleasures.
CHANGE your FOCUS!
Put Christ at the CENTER of your life!