Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers

 

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers

 

(Romans 13:1-7) 『 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.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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:  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.  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 』

Powers refer to the rulers in power. The Bible tells them to obey. To obey means to abide under it. This means to recognize those above as those above. There is no authority that does not come from God, because all authority is determined by God. God is a God of order. He must follow the order in this world as well, but he must also realize the order of the kingdom of God through the order in this world. Paul said that the power of all humans originated from the power of God, so we can tell the rulers that Jesus told Pilate, "If God had not given it to you, you would not have the power to harm me." will be.do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  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. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Romans 1-11 is a doctrinal statement about the contents of the Gospel, that is, how saints can be saved, and from chapter 12 onwards, how a saved Christian will live, that is, a matter of Christian ethical life. In dealing with the problem of Christian life, there are great principles, Paul explains what four basic relationships in Christian life should be: relationship with God, relationship with ourselves, relationship with each other, and relationship with enemies. did. Saints must love God, deny themselves, love their neighbors, and love their enemies. How can you love them? It is impossible with the fleshly heart. It is just to deny the heart of the flesh and think with the heart of the spirit.

In Romans 13, Paul further describes three relations: relations with the state, relations with the law, and relations with the day of the Lord's Second Coming. . Each person is to surrender to the powers above. And he gives reasons for this demand. It is because the authority of the state originated from God.

『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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 』Powers refer to the rulers in power. The Bible tells them to obey. To obey means to abide under it. This means to recognize those above as those above. There is no authority that does not come from God, because all authority is determined by God. God is a God of order. He must follow the order in this world as well, but he must also realize the order of the kingdom of God through the order in this world. Paul said that the power of all humans originated from the power of God, so we can tell the rulers that Jesus told Pilate, "If God had not given it to you, you would not have the power to harm me." will be.

That doesn't mean you can go further than God's Word. The fact that authority is delegated from God does not imply unconditional obedience. Submission to authority is not until it causes disobedience to God. If the authority commands what God forbids or forbids what God commands, it breaks the order of God. Therefore, when it comes to conflict with the words of the rulers of the world and the words of God, we must follow the Word of God.

After asking the authorities to obey, Paul warns against those who oppose them. Not only are they against God's command, but they will, in addition, “will trace the judgment”. Therefore, submitting to authority is a right and wise response. 『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: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. 』The rulers say that it is wise to obey authority because they praise those who do good and punish those who do evil. These words explain the role of the ruler.

Also, believers must establish the kingdom of God on this earth. The kingdom of God is not a visible material, but a spiritual world made up of believers who are born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. Conflicts arise between the visible world and the invisible world. The body tries to conform to the world, but the spirit obeys God. If there is anything that deviates from the word of God in the world, amazing things happen in which the spirit controls the body. This is not driven by human determination, but by the work of the Holy Spirit. Because those who are born again are governed by the Holy Spirit. Those who are born again are dead to the world.