 February 3, 1999
FAMILY BIBLE SERIES:
Respect, love and honor
still show God to world
___ Romans 13:1-14
___By Doug Riggs
___Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Bedford
___What we do often speaks louder than what we say. Sadly, doctrinal soundness does not necessarily translate into ethical purity. The acid test for faith remains how one applies belief to real-life settings. The Bible clearly states that faith apart from action is dead (James 2:17). Romans 13 reminds us of the necessity of responsible living in several areas.
___ Respect government (Romans 13:1-7). True character reveals itself most during testing times. An impeachment trial, tax season and other circumstances force the Christian to explore the biblical attitude toward government. In a word, the Bible instructs us to submit (arrange oneself under). God establishes individual rulers as well as governmental systems to serve (v. 4), encourage civil behavior (v. 3) and punish wrongdoing (v. 4).
___Of course, the believer should obey the government not simply to avoid  punishment, but for the sake of conscience itself (v. 5). This includes paying various taxes (vv. 6-7). The ideal situation includes a loyal citizen submitting to a God-honoring government. However, both Paul and Peter taught Christians to submit to a government (Nero) that was far from godly. While civil disobedience may become necessary when earthly commands conflict with the will of God (Acts 5:29), the norm is to submit. If we spent as much time praying for our leaders as we spend criticizing them, they would be better leaders and we would be better Christians. We must respect the office even when respecting the person is difficult.
___ Love others (Romans 13:8-10). Snoopy once said: "I love humankind. It's people I can't stand." In contrast, part of living responsibly includes a proper attitude toward one another. All the laws regarding the treatment of others may be summarized in the command to love (v. 9). Love never harms, and therefore, it fulfills the law (v. 10). Love rules out behavior that disregards the value of others and what belongs to them. Paul identified love as a debt we never can pay fully (v. 8). Jesus taught that love is the heart of the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30-31).
___ Live honorably (Romans 13:11-14). Paul expressed an urgency for noble living based on an imminent reckoning before God (v. 11). We are closer than ever before either to death or the Lord's return. Either way, salvation that began at the point of receiving Christ is finalized when we meet him face to face. This sobering thought compels honorable behavior.
___In light of the time, Paul commanded the Romans to wake up (v. 11). Obviously, some had grown lax in their behavior. Paul contrasted deeds done at night (where crime flourishes) with a decent lifestyle most often found in the light of day. Children of the light must not act as children of the darkness (v. 13). Instead, Christians must lay aside immorality in order to take on the clothing of Jesus himself (v. 14).
___Paul's command to wake up, clean up and dress up should motivate us to responsible living as we face a new millennium. The Y2K problem pails in comparison to meeting God.
Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!
|