Romans 12:17-21 & 13:1-8

Various Duties & Duties to Civil Rulers

This reading is born of necessity. All Christians, especially American, need to explicitly understand what the Bible says about duties. Presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service is a good place to start. (Romans 12:1) However, conceding Romans 13:1-4 as a blank ticket to allow our God-given liberties to freedom of speech, travel, and especially WORSHIP to be usurped, is a really bad belief to hold. If, in ignorance, you simply say those who are not so quick to submit to mean men are rebelling against God, if you shrug off this warning without searching out the matter yourself, you are in grave danger of being hoodwinked into TAKING THE MARK OF THE BEAST!

We already know tradition in the 501c3 churches have taught "government" is our ruler to be blindly obeyed. Below are links to a couple of sample opinions I found that show otherwise. Christians still have a responsibility to understand what God's word has to say by using Scripture to explain Scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to teach the truth to each of us as individuals. This can only be accomplished through personal devotional reading of the Bible and meditating on the Word.

http://www.gospelministry.net/radio_roman_copout.html
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig8/baldwin1.html

Romans 12:17-21 & 13:1-8

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

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.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
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:
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.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
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; honor to whom honor.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

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May the Lord Jesus Christ keep you throughout all your trials and tribulations!

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A Final Note: Why I Included an Image of Saddam Hussein in the video...

While searching my favorite free photo repository, stock.xchng (http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml), for appropriate pictures to edit and include in this video, this unedited image of Saddam struck me as perfect for challenging each of us to test our Christ-like mindsets. Using a picture of Bush or Hitler instead would have only been incendiary in this case and given league to sinful thoughts. Also, this is truly a Christian lesson and not a political statement.

I don't know if I am explaining this right. Maybe think of this image as a work of art hanging in an art gallery. As you draw near provoked by its bright colors and the safe sight of a dead dictator (socialist president), you see the artist is God. The plaque accompanying the piece is the text of Romans 12:17-21. The work then takes on personal meaning to you.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• various
• duties
• God
• first
• always
• neighbor
• brethren
• we
• the
• people
• constitution
• family
• Romans
• 13
• civil
• rulers
• government

[rickyboy222]

ytbg, what happens if the gov (ordained by God) goes corrupt? God's law is higher wouldn't you agree. tribute in the form of tax isn't due to our gov't. churches are a "mandatory exception" as far as taxes are concerned...

[ytBG]

Yes, I absolutely agree God's laws are higher, and just because God mentions paying tribute to whom it is due, this does not mean the nefarious INCOME tax individuals are paying to the henchmen IRS is lawful. That is only possible because people have voluntarily yoked themselves to the system via social security, and God hates his people being numbered, by the way. Perhaps a video about that coming soon. As for this one, it is purely a reading people wrongly start at Romans 13:1 instead of 12:17

[stevenrayd]

This was Hitlers favorate passage"fact".You must realize Gods Rulers is not mans.Paul was not speaking of government he was speaking of who your authorities are of the kingdom of God.This is very important to understand.Or the outcome can be fatal.

[ytBG]

This passage correctly starts at Romans 12:17 and actually talks about how Christians are to let the Lord take vengence for the wrong that is done to us. No doubt Hitler and the likes use this wrongly interpreted to further enslave ignorant people, but still we will have to suffer the government's wrath when we abide by God's authority over man's.

Sorry about the thumbs down hit by mistake!

[ytBG]

(13)Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (14)Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: (15)Their feet are swift to shed blood: (16)Destruction and misery are in their ways: (17)And the way of peace have they not known: (18)There is no fear of God before their eyes.

[ytBG]

Romans 3:10-18 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (11)There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (12)They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

[james3v6]

I know that you said in your comments that this video is a study from God's Word and not ment to be a political statement. I cannot help but think of all the times the Bible states that there will be false prophets to decieve the church, and that many will be decieved.I have come to the conclusion that if God's holy institution founded by the Lord can be lead astray by the wrong leadership, than surly a human organization like the government can be corrupted from inside. What do you think?

[Danieltheartist]

This is a great video Thanks.

--God Bless--