Romans Part IV Lesson 5

Romans 13 Subjection to governing authorities Historical setting: Rome was the governing authority Persecution Ten years before Nero

Governing Authorities Every person is to be subject to governing authorities God established authority No authority except from Him Those who resist the authority – oppose God Rules are established to bring good behavior and punish evil behavior God’s ministers of good

Acts 4 and 5 Acts 4 “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 5:29 “We must obey God rather than men” The apostles chose God over men and were ready to pay the consequences

Exodus 1:15-21 Egypt was a godless society like Rome Midwives feared God above Pharaoh Result: Moses was spared and became Israel’s deliverer God honored the midwives and gave them families of their own

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. The believer’s citizenship is in heaven His ultimate authority is God

Philippians and Genesis Paul does NOT say that being subject to the governing authority means that Christians have to do something that is sin. Genesis 9:5-6 God set up government. “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God has God made man.”

Romans 13:8-10 Owe nothing to anyone, except love Loving one’s neighbor fulfills the Law Love your neighbor as yourself Love does no wrong to its neighbor

Cross References Luke 10:30-37 The one hated, became the neighbor to the man in need Matt. 5:42 Don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you John 3:16 God loved the world, which was in need, and gave us what we needed

Romans 13:11-14 Wake up The Lord’s return is much nearer than when we believed “Do this” refers to loving one’s neighbor Love is the fulfillment of the Law Lay aside the deeds of darkness Put on the armor of light Behave properly..as in the day

Romans 13:11-14 NOT in carousing and drunkenness NOT in sexual promiscuity and sensuality NOT in strife and jealousy Put ON the Lord Jesus Christ Make no provision for the flesh

I Thessalonians Increase and abound in love for one another Be alert Be sober Are YOU being alert and sober, increasing in love, not just “steady as she goes”?