Note for 20241114 - Romans - Part 15 - Rule and Love

 

Romans - Part 15

Rule and Love

The Audio Version of today’s note is advised.

The House of Bread · Voice Note for 20241114 - Romans - Part 15 - Rule and Love

Romans 13:1-14 KJV

[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; honour to whom honour. [8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. [9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. [11] And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. [12] The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. [13] Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. [14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.13.1-14.KJV

Note for 20241114

Surely by now you know that GOD determines who rules over us. Is it not GOD that hardened Pharaoh's heart? Is it not GOD that called King Ahab to the battlefield and GOD that have King Hezekiah 15 more years to live based on his prayer to GOD? Who ordained the rule to King Nebuchadnezzar, yes! Who sent him to move against Jerusalem?

Who then should we have reverence for? Who's will shall be done? We know that GOD establishes even a wicked king over wicked people. What do we expect in a wicked world? Shall a wicked world not receive a strict taskmaster?

Friends, we are ruled by Christ. Is it not Christ that said to give to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to GOD that which is His? Can we live lawless lives? No, we know by the Word of GOD what the source of lawlessness is, even rebellion and is rebellion not born in complaint? How do we deal with a family member that has become troubled by an evil spirit? Should we not pray for those that GOD elected to stand over the people of our land? That in their heart they may find favour for the children of GOD? And what a prize will it be, if such a wicked ruler can come to bow before the living GOD, repent and become a righteous and just ruler? Our strength is in prayer, for as believers we have the ear of GOD and Christ at His right hand to intercede for us. Did Christ not instruct us to even love our enemies? What is love, if not to hope for the salvation of such a soul? Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against that which moves it. What then if it is GOD that moves such a man against the people? Shall God not move such a man if the people are wicked? And how do we assist in that? Shall the people then not be ministered to that they will come to a moment of repentance?

Is our world in chaos because the church is sitting back on benches; as if there is no work to be done at all? Do we look at someone in trouble and wish him Godspeed on his way to hell? Is that love?

You know, so often in my watch I see people complaining all the time. You know what comes with that complaint? Slander, breaking down the characters of everyone. The only people that get praise are those that stand in agreement with the complainers. Who is the accuser again? Oh! We must keep a watch on who we stand in agreement with. When we stand in accusation, we are open for accusations to come against us. Have you not read that if you live by the sword you shall die by the sword?

What is the performance of love in us? What does love call for in every situation? In Who is our trust, the man we see or GOD that is the Head over all? Therein lies man's problem: we are sure of ourselves, what we stand for until our lives hang in the balance. Then we whimper and take the way of cowards, forgetting all we said we stand for. Do we stand for love? Do we stand for the Gospel of Christ, that whomsoever believes in Him will not perish but have life everlasting? Or... are we filled with hate, demanding vengeance on one another, making us no better than them that shouted, "crucify him!" And what did Christ do? He prayed to our Father in Heaven, "forgive them for they know not what they do." Then He went on, all the way to the grave, when at any time He could call on the Angels to come to His assistance. Or call on fire to fall from the heaven's and consume them that stood against him like Elijah did.

Christ said that there is no greater love than to lay your life down for a friend. He laid His down for those who stood in hate, demanding His execution. Yes, he died for sinners... People like you and me. That is to love friends. That is the example of love we should live for.

Shalom

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App (Expanded from verse 25)

Proverbs 11:24-31 KJV

[24] There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. [25] The liberal soul shall be made fat: And he that watereth shall be watered also himself. [26] He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. [27] He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: But he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. [28] He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: But the righteous shall flourish as a branch. [29] He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: And the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. [30] The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise. [31] Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: Much more the wicked and the sinner.

https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.11.24-31.KJV