Once Again

Romans 13:1-2 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.

Here is yet another difficult conversation from Paul in which those who do not take the time to know God, His design, His will and His love to once again throw predestination into the forefront. It is all God’s fault according to their understanding, and nothing could be further from the truth.

How about reading these two verses this way in the light of who God is in character.

No matter what your circumstances, God’s love is the only thing that changes them for the better.

Verse 3 states it plainly, they are up to no good. You cannot join them in that behavior, it will change nothing, and you will suffer all the more because of it.

Any comment made by anyone that paints God as anything but a loving, gracious and merciful God needs to be thoroughly examined for error. That kind of thinking feeds Satan’s anti agenda.

Once again, God is love. Nothing should change that thought. God is Holy, Nothing change that thought. God is just. Nothing should change that thought. God is gracious. Nothing should change that thought.

It bears repeating as many times as it takes for us to get that thru our thick skulls.

Once again, God is love. Nothing should change that thought. God is Holy, Nothing change that thought. God is just. Nothing should change that thought. God is gracious. Nothing should change that thought.

To Be

Romans 12:9-17 

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? Here in Romans Paul lays out a fairly good list of attributes that would mark you as a disciple of Christ. We are asked to be like this by God, gracious and merciful, loving and kind. It sounds like a lot to remember and if you have to rely on memory to perform these duties, then you’ve failed before you began.

The very first line quoted says love without hypocrisy. Love sincerely. The word translated love here is agape, God’s perfect love. It is not any other type of love it is the love that dwells in your heart, Christ in you. If you have to think about it, it isn’t agape. Agape loves because that is who He is in character and performance. He doesn’t have to think about who He is.

Satan wants to get into your head about your qualifications to be a disciple. Here is the qualifications to be a disciple; you had to have failed as a human being. What I was does not disqualify me, it qualifies me.