Only Passing Through
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Text: Romans 13:1-14
Intro: As believers this world is not our home. This is a Bible principle that Jesus taught to those who are His.
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
So we understand Biblically that our citizenship is in heaven, so we are truly only passing through. With this understanding we,
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
That all being said, although our stay here is temporary, we remain subject to those that God has put over us. I am speaking of human government. Although we have been called out, we remain subject to the state. Now, being a Christian in a pagan land seems rather daunting, but I’d like us to remember those like Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, and Esther. Those who were able to exercise spiritual ministries in pagan governments, we see by there examples that the Spirit of God can do all that He pleases through a dedicated believer. Paul gives us some motivation concerning these things.
For Wrath’s Sake (13:1-4)
The “higher powers” in verse 1 is speaking of human government. The government that has been ordained of God, even though they may not be Christians. When our country was founded the people of America were given freedom like no other nation before ever had. And even though today we may not have Christian leadership, that doesn’t mean that we cannot and should not stand, nor does it mean that we do not pray for them to get saved.
In our Bible Erastus the chamberlain (like a treasurer) was saved!
Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
Even some of the officials in Emperor Nero’s empire were reached with the Gospel of Christ!
All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.
We must recognize that even the unsaved government is given by God.
That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd,
And shall perform all my pleasure:
Even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built;
And to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
We may not always have respect for the person, but we should always have respect for the office of authority. For God has given them for a reason.
Rulers are to be a terror to bad people, and not to those that are good. So believers should have nothing to fear...
But, what then when a government openly opposes Christ or commands we do things that are against Christ… We should say as the Apostels said,
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
God gave us government and I believe we see it first as far back as Genesis 9.
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
2. For Conscience Sake (13:5-7)
The fear of the wrath of man is possibly the lowest motive for Christian obedience. So Paul gives another… Every believer should experience the Spirit’s witness to their conscience. When we disobey the Lord, then the Spirit convicts our conscience.
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
The obedient Christian should have a good conscience.
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
For Conscience Sake, we do all of the above...
3. For Love’s Sake (13:8-10)
Paul expands the boundaries… Remember that the Bible speaks of neighbors and it has nothing to do with geographical location or what street you live on. It is talking of fellow man.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asks this question?
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Jesus later changes the question to this.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
The issue is not who is my neighbor but who can I be neighborly too for the Glory of Christ! Although there are written laws in the books that man abides by, Christians are held to the law of love. A Father labors to provide, not because of law but because of love, a husband buys flowers, not because of command, but because of love.
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Far more people are brought to Christ by love, then argument. The Christian walking in the love of God, not only makes the best citizen but is the best witness for His names sake.
4. For Christ’s Sake (13:11-14)
Devotion to Christ - Whether, we get caught up in the clouds, or we first meet the grave, the end of my life here on this earth is nearer every day.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Put off darkness and put on light, for the God of light is coming!
Put on Christ - Make Christ daily the Lord of your life!
We know the problem with our world. We see their need for Christ. If there was ever a time where we showed our devotion to Him, because the world needs that, now is that time!