Romans 13
Once again.... scary! This week's blog directly coincides with Pastor Erik's talk. (at least the first part does!)
Paul is speaking about authority here. We just heard Erik talk about this yesterday. Bottom line guys, we have people in authority over us. That goes from everything to our government, to our parents, to our church leaders. Paul, on more than one occasion throughout the Bible, points out that to NOT obey these authorities in our lives will lead to judgment. And he actually, literally says it here in vs 2. He not only says you resist those in authority, but by doing so, you resist what God has appointed. Paul says to give to those what is owed them. Not by your standards and what you think they deserve, but by the standard that God has appointed them and therefore, you owe whatever it is.... taxes, respect, honor, etc. to those who are in positions to receive those things.
For me, I struggled with one of those BIG TIME! And I didn't do it out of malice. But I think about times in my life where I didn't give someone the respect that they may have deserved. I have always been brought up with the... well, they gotta earn it, mentality. I had to remind myself that that is not God's way and I had to repent and ask Him to rid me of that. I try to remind myself that, while I may not agree with those leaders (talking mostly about governments here, for me personally), I still have to respect the fact that God has ordained that they be in positions of authority over me... good or bad. But it does spill over into our personal lives as well. Bosses, families, church leaders... etc. And we have to be mindful that, just as Erik pointed out, that they (those in positions of authority over us) WILL be held accountable to a higher standard, by God.
I could go on and on and on and on about this chapter. So many "nuggets"! But for now, let's hear your thoughts.
-robbie
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Yea, yesterday was gut shot for all of us I think. The passages that were read and even this passage all really step our pride and our lack of humility when it comes to dealing with others. At the end of the day that is what this is about..........our relationships. It's amazing that even 2,000 years ago people still dealt with government, bosses, spouses, children etc. in the same way we deal with it today. Even with all of our advances God can still break us down to our most basic forms. We need relationship with Him and with others.
ReplyDeleteI too have struggled with all forms of authority. Being a recovering addict, I laughed in the face of authority every single day. No one was going to tell me what to do and if they did well they were wrong and they werent going to get respect from me!! Through the grace of God and my recovery I see things WAY differently today. I realized that its not my job to be in the center of the wheel and that it's ok to be a worker among workers. When I'm CALLED to lead then I try to do it with humility, (still working on that one) but I love the discussions on authority. Great spiritual food!!!
I've never really had a problem with authority. I mean I get upset when I get a speeding ticket. I've had plenty of practice at that here lately. But I smile, sign, and realize that it's not personal. It's that officer's job. I'm glad he's doing it because I wouldn't want that responsibility.
ReplyDeleteOur government is our government. I vote. I do my part. I don't want to sit up there all day and argue with those other politicians so I don't have any sayso other that my vote. I accept that. If they do things that I don't like, I don't vote for them again.
I own my own business. That makes every client or customer my boss. If I argue with them, I loose a sale. I don't always agree with how they want their project to look but I do it their way because it's their project, not mine.
I learned a long time ago that one of my main spiritual gifts is serventhood. God has put that in me. It comes natural to me to do what I'm asked. I don't always agree with it but it's not my job to judge. It's my job to do.
I will serve where I'm needed. I will do what I'm asked to do. I will help with a smile on my face. I think that's what God expects of me.
The sermon made me a bit uncomfortable. I just left a job and a boss that I REALLY disliked. I didn't want to submit to her authority because I thought she was wrong, and to some extent, I still do. But in other ways, I should've been more willing to serve her and the business. I don't have any problems submitting in other areas, though--but Jon may tell you different!
ReplyDeleteI remember a time in my life when these scriptures would have meant nothing to me. I knew what was best and no one could tell me different.
ReplyDeletePatrick, I know so well where you come from as far as addictions. I am a recovering alcoholic myself. Just about all my musical background was lived in this darkness. Years ago I played music with some really good people and excellent musicians. Some of them no longer with us because of addictions, health problems, accidents, etc. Why I lived through it God only knows.
I am sure today I would have never found my own way out and would have died that way. God used authority through the DUI law not once but twice to get my attention. I would not submit so God did it for me, behind bars. The family and grandchildren I now experience, I can't thank him enough.
All that exist was created by God for a reason. A statement thats understandable yet at times hard to live. Cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. No doubt, a 24-7 project.
Danny and Patrick- you guys are exceptionally strong, and I appreciate you opening up and sharing a piece of yourselves with us. I imagine those realizations from God can be very difficult, but looking at how far both of you have come- you can be so proud of yourselves for what you've overcome. Our God is definitely an awesome God!
ReplyDeleteBarry- I'm with you on the authority thing. I have kind of a passive personality when it comes to authority, and have always basically just done what I am told, within great reason!
I think the word "authority" has such a negative connotation attached to it sometimes, partially due to the fact that people in those roles often take advantage of what comes along with authority. If all figures of authority were held to the definition from Scripture, it would change everything.
I think the place I have struggled with the most is authority in my marriage. My first marriage had a very unusual dynamic. I was the head of the house and my ex husband wanted it that way. He didnt want to be bothered with decisions or anything else so I just did what I needed to without having any discussions. I think that along with many many other factors is why it failed. Fast forward to my current marriage...Mike was brought up to believe that when you are married you take care of your family PERIOD. Financially, physically, spiritually...all of it. And while he didnt come in like a caveman and expect me to surrender, it felt that way to me and I struggled with it for probably the first two years of our marriage. I was a strong independent woman. I had been living on my own, paying my bills and taking care of myself thank you very much and I didnt need any man to come in and save me cause I was fine. Only I wasnt. I did need that support, I just viewed it in a way that made me think I was losing who I was. I didnt want to give up the reigns to anybody. My parents divorced when I was young so I didnt have the perfect picture of what a marriage looked like. I didnt realize that Mike was just honoring what God had said about being a husband and provider. My surrender came very slowly (just ask him) and I had to learn to trust that he wasnt going to do anything to hurt me or humiliate me. He has over the last ten years been an amazing example of what a husband and father is. At least to me. His authority in my home is a wonderful blessing. He has opened my eyes for sure to what a man and woman should share as husband and wife.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting to me how God does everything. I feel like in my own life God, my authority, tells me what He has in store... What I am to do next, but I try and take it all into my own hands not trusting Him enough to work it out.
ReplyDeleteLike Abraham sleeping with another woman because his wife was too old to have a baby, and he thought God must have another way. Yet who knows what pain could have been avoided if He would have surrendered to God in that instance.
I pray that I can Die to myself and surrender to God. I think my life would be better if I could learn that.
The last few lines about love is what stood out to me. Just believing that the best you can do is love your neighbor, your friends. It's makes me think of all the friends I just don't talk to anymore, that need love.
ReplyDeleteBut then what is love anyway, being a husband and a father, I love my family, I love god, I love life and being alive. But I am I doing enough to show my neighbors/ friends love.
I don't really talk to anyone during the week, sometimes I fall back into my outcast, antisocial ways. But I really feel like I need to make changes, make friends actually hang out and talk about life and our walks with god.
I've always struggled with recieving and giving love since a was a kid. I don't let many people in except god and my wive sometimes. I hope though prayer, and surrendering myself to god, I can experiance all of gods love not just the part I'm willing to let in.
Wow, these are some awesome (and honest) posts this week.
ReplyDeleteI am particularly intrigued by verse 8: "Owe no one anything, except to love each other" Loving our neighbors is not something we are to do for extra credit, so to speak. We owe our neighbors love. I think of it in terms of we are indebted to everyone around us. Money or possessions will not repay that debt. For the most part, "stuff" is not what our neighbors want from us, they want that debt repaid in love.
So that being said, I love you guys!
I think it's great that everyone is opening up more. Thank you for sharing your experiences! It's impactful to me.
ReplyDeleteOne big eye opener for me was that God has ordained ALL authority, good and bad. I think whenever I thought about bad governments I just tucked questions away I had about why God would allow that. So, just to know that He has in fact allowed it, brings me comfort because He has His hand in EVERYTHING and nothing is beyond His control. Another reminder of sovereignty.
I really liked the very last verse of the chapter: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." In relation to this chapter, I think this verse means that we put on the nature of Jesus Christ who was the ultimate servant, who submitted to authority and abuse up to the very end. He also submitted to the will of God and met every challenge with humility. It's our nature to rebel and resist and go our own way.
It is difficult to read that we are to obey worldly authorities. Even though we do not always practice it, when we read we must obey God or his commandments, it is an easier pill to take. There are so many debates and standpoints when it comes to government. That diversity of standpoints is not limited to national government, it filters all the way down into the way we are managed as employees. Given the separation of Church and state and the increasing separation of Church and the workplace, it is difficult to read that we must obey given this separation. I also believe that we are not just to obey but to do so in a gracious way, not out of fear of imprisonment or severance, but out of obedience to God and out of faith.
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