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Romans 13:1-7
I would like to begin today’s Bible study by stating that I have only one political preference, and that is to obey what God puts in my heart through His Word. With that in mind, today’s Bible study teaches us that we are to be subject to the governing authorities that God has allowed to be in office. The Apostle Paul declares in Romans 13:1b (NKJV), “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” This does not mean that we have to like them, but we need to, “be subject” to them. Paul goes as far as to state in Romans 13:2, “Therefore whoever resist the authority resist the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Paul refers to the governing authorities in Romans 13:4 (NIV) as, “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” He goes on in Romans 13:7 to instruct, “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor.”
This is a command to be “subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1a, NKJV).
I know that today’s Bible study may be very hard for many of you to grasp. I am aware that most of you – I would say about 99% were introduced to this Bible study through the kindness of pastor Vaughn. I am also aware of the political insight that he gives as to the direction of our government in this great country of the U.S.A. I too have not always agreed with the direction that our government has led us, and I have also backed our country by serving in the United States Marine Corps. It is not my intention to involve this ministry in politics as that is not the concentration that God has put in my heart, but to share the gospel and lead us to, hopefully, a deeper understanding of God’s Word and how we can apply that in our lives to grow in our relationship with Him through salvation in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Also, that we would pull together and lead others who are lost in the sinful nature of this world to Christ Jesus through our words and deeds as we strive to be the reflection of Jesus in the world today. I keep you all in my daily prayers and feel that some of you, through your prayer requests and comments on my YouTube channel, have become family as I am blessed by you each day. God bless you all – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
Jesus made a political declaration in Matthew 22:21 (HCSB), “Therefore give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” My prayer today is that You will help us to understand that You are in ultimate control, and that whoever You allow to be our governing officials, that we would put our faith in Jesus as our Savior and strive to live in obedience to You and to be a reflection of Christ Jesus in the world today. In Jesus name I pray, amen.