In the larger context of scripture, what we generally see is God disciplining a nation using another nation (with one that is usually somewhat more evil.) Christians do have a commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20 -- which emphasizes that we need to be teaching and making disciples. If we would actually treat Jesus as not just savior, but LORD and savior, we would be pretty effective at that teaching and making disciples gig.
We are called to be the salt and light - effectively demonstrating a life committed to being Christ-like, walking in obedience and being a conduit for God's blessings for everyone they know. If we were more effective living like this, we wouldn't necessarily have such evil and twisted leadership making inroads into every part of our lives, and supporting policies that act to infect, destroy and divide everything it touches.
This is why I have never understood how Christians can with clear conscience, vote for progressive, liberal democrats or their ilk. Then again, as a Pastor, I am sadly observing the nationwide effects of 'Closet Consumer Christianity' slowly poison and entangle so many people with its pleasant whispers of salvation to the exclusion of obedience. The Christianity that allows you to treat fellowship like you were ordering a happy meal from a drive-through, the type of permissive teaching that suggests you can hide your faith under a trash can and keep any of God's blessings all for yourself.
Christians who routinely bellyache about THAT church where the Pastor failed to shake their hand, or the other place where that mean lady made some snide comment about your shoes, or the one where the music just isn't what you are used to.
This nation isn't a Christian nation anymore precisely because the Christians are weak, selfish and worldly. We say we trust God, that is until it affects our time or especially our pocket books. We say we love Jesus, but damned if we're going to miss my cousin's birthday party instead of worship service, or that football game, or that opening day of deer hunting, or that opportunity for overtime pay, or...
We are far removed from knowing God and realizing God's will in our lives precisely because we love this world more than we love God. So we will continue to enjoy the rewards of choosing the world instead of sacrificing the world, taking up our cross and following Him. (See: Mark 8:35-38)
My name is Carl L. McWilliams. I am 75 years old and I have been studying the Holy Bible for over forty years. That said, it is my humble opinion Romans 13 is incompatible with too many other dictates in Hoy Scripture to be the Word of God; that I posit Romans 13 was added to the Pauline letter during the dark ages by the false teachers Paul warned about in Acts 20: 2-31.
As an example: When the federal government (Caesar) orders everyone to take the Mark of the Beast and then sites Romans 13 as "scriptural authority" and therefore force the Christians to take the Mark of the Beast; are Christians obligated under Romans 13 to receive the Mark, OR are Christians obligated under Revelation 13 & 19: 21 to refuse the Mark of the Beast?
Another example of why I consider Romans 13 to be a lie of the Devil is found in Daniel 3: 8-30: If Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had followed the dictates of Romans 13, the three Hebrews would have worshipped King Nebuchadnezzar's golden idol. However, instead of obeying the directives of Romans 13, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship the golden idol and replied, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
To state unequivocally, methinks Romans 13 was added by a corrupt Pope during the dark ages. The very premise of Romans 13 is repugnant to believers of Yeshua Messiah in serving the soon-coming King, instead of the world.
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Revelation 18: 4
In the larger context of scripture, what we generally see is God disciplining a nation using another nation (with one that is usually somewhat more evil.) Christians do have a commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20 -- which emphasizes that we need to be teaching and making disciples. If we would actually treat Jesus as not just savior, but LORD and savior, we would be pretty effective at that teaching and making disciples gig.
We are called to be the salt and light - effectively demonstrating a life committed to being Christ-like, walking in obedience and being a conduit for God's blessings for everyone they know. If we were more effective living like this, we wouldn't necessarily have such evil and twisted leadership making inroads into every part of our lives, and supporting policies that act to infect, destroy and divide everything it touches.
This is why I have never understood how Christians can with clear conscience, vote for progressive, liberal democrats or their ilk. Then again, as a Pastor, I am sadly observing the nationwide effects of 'Closet Consumer Christianity' slowly poison and entangle so many people with its pleasant whispers of salvation to the exclusion of obedience. The Christianity that allows you to treat fellowship like you were ordering a happy meal from a drive-through, the type of permissive teaching that suggests you can hide your faith under a trash can and keep any of God's blessings all for yourself.
Christians who routinely bellyache about THAT church where the Pastor failed to shake their hand, or the other place where that mean lady made some snide comment about your shoes, or the one where the music just isn't what you are used to.
This nation isn't a Christian nation anymore precisely because the Christians are weak, selfish and worldly. We say we trust God, that is until it affects our time or especially our pocket books. We say we love Jesus, but damned if we're going to miss my cousin's birthday party instead of worship service, or that football game, or that opening day of deer hunting, or that opportunity for overtime pay, or...
We are far removed from knowing God and realizing God's will in our lives precisely because we love this world more than we love God. So we will continue to enjoy the rewards of choosing the world instead of sacrificing the world, taking up our cross and following Him. (See: Mark 8:35-38)
My name is Carl L. McWilliams. I am 75 years old and I have been studying the Holy Bible for over forty years. That said, it is my humble opinion Romans 13 is incompatible with too many other dictates in Hoy Scripture to be the Word of God; that I posit Romans 13 was added to the Pauline letter during the dark ages by the false teachers Paul warned about in Acts 20: 2-31.
As an example: When the federal government (Caesar) orders everyone to take the Mark of the Beast and then sites Romans 13 as "scriptural authority" and therefore force the Christians to take the Mark of the Beast; are Christians obligated under Romans 13 to receive the Mark, OR are Christians obligated under Revelation 13 & 19: 21 to refuse the Mark of the Beast?
Another example of why I consider Romans 13 to be a lie of the Devil is found in Daniel 3: 8-30: If Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had followed the dictates of Romans 13, the three Hebrews would have worshipped King Nebuchadnezzar's golden idol. However, instead of obeying the directives of Romans 13, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship the golden idol and replied, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
To state unequivocally, methinks Romans 13 was added by a corrupt Pope during the dark ages. The very premise of Romans 13 is repugnant to believers of Yeshua Messiah in serving the soon-coming King, instead of the world.
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Revelation 18: 4