Ouch!!!
After reading, reflecting on and weighing the implications of Romans 13:1-7 first of all, for ME – then for US (as fellow Christians) and the socio-political situation we’re in right now compared to the one in Apostle Paul’s day (which, believe me was no better than ours now)… I WAS CALLED TO REPENT OF MY SIN!!!
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment… For the authorities are God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid… For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (From Romans 13:1-7 ESV)
Hey, It is so easy to “idolize” our freedoms as Americans (appreciation is one thing – idolatry is another), and ignore the teaching of clear passages like this one.
I must trust God, seek to influence my “neighbors” with the Gospel and my life, and be a “Kingdom citizen” in a pagan world. My responsibility is to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16) and pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
I purpose to fulfill those responsibilities! Assuredly, there is a time to resist the commands of godless leaders – and that time is when I would have to violate the clear directive of God’s law… Even then, however may the Biblical examples of Jesus, Joseph and Daniel (and others) guide me… They understood the power of an “appeal” to authority (and were willing, when necessary, to pay the price for respectful resistance when there was no other alternative.
Oh, and the Lord DID forgive me for my SIN this morning (1 John 1:8-10) – He promised to!!!
Coffee With The Lord 