ROMANS 29


     We will begin this lesson in Romans 13:1 "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."

     In our society today, authority of every kind is being
challenged. It begins in the home. In God's plans, the daddy is the
head of the house. Mother should be over the children, as well.
Secular humanism has taught our children that they are the center of
everything, and because of this, children are rebelling. In most large
schools in our country today, crime is very evident. A few years ago
this was not true, because everyone had respect for the teachers and
principal. Even in the military, we saw a break down of authority.
Many young men burned their draft cards and refused to go to war for
their country. No earlier than world war 2 that would have been total
disgrace. These people have been looked on as if they were heroes. We
have even lost respect for our government officials. Even employes are
telling their boss that they will not do what they want them to. It
seems that the whole world has gone mad.

     We can read of all this in II Timothy 3:1 "This know also, that
in the last days perilous times shall come." II Timothy 3:2 "For men
shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy," II Timothy
3:3 "Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good," II Timothy 3:4
"Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of
God;" II Timothy 3:5 "Having a form of godliness, but denying the
power thereof: from such turn away."

     I Peter 2:13 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the
Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;" I Peter 2:14 "Or
unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment
of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well." I Peter 2:15
"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence
the ignorance of foolish men:"  I Peter 2:16 "As free, and not using
[your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of
God." If we question too strongly the person in authority, we need to
first stop and think who gave him or her that authority. God gave them
the authority, and if we are fighting against them, we are in a sense
fighting God.

     Romans 13:2 "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth
the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves
damnation."

     Titus 3:1 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and
powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work," This is
just one more word of caution, that we are not above the law just
because we are Christians. The only time it is permissible to disobey
authority is when it is in opposition to God's teachings.

     Romans 13:3 "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:"

     I guess a way to say this so every one in our day can understand
is; if you didn't cheat on your income tax report, you won't mind
being checked. It is so nice for them to check you, and find out that
they owe you money, rather than you owing them. Proverbs 14:35 "The
king's favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against]
him that causeth shame."  I Peter 3:13 "And who [is] he that will harm
you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"

     Romans 13:4 "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."

     This really is saying that if we have broken the law, we can
expect to be punished. If we speed and are caught we will probably pay
a pretty large fine. Other sins require other punishment, but you can
be sure God has marked it down for later review. In the Old Testament
when someone was murdered, the closest relative went out and found the
criminal and killed him. Pretty swift justice, wouldn't you say.
Numbers 35:19 "The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer:
when he meeteth him, he shall slay him."

     Romans 13:5 " Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for
wrath, but also for conscience sake."

     Acts 24:16 "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a
conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men."
II Corinthians 1:12 "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our
conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly
wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the
world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

     You have heard the expression [let your conscience be your guide]
if you are a Christian that is very good advice. The Christian has the
laws of God written on the fleshly part of his or her heart. We are
guided by what is pleasing unto God. Psalms 37:31 "The law of his God
[is] in his heart; none of his steps shall slide."  There will come a
time when we will not be taught at all of man, but will be totally
taught of God.  Hebrews 10:16 "This [is] the covenant that I will make
with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into
their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"  We can see from
this that the heart of mankind is his conscience.

     Romans 13:6 "For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are
God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing."

     Matthew 17:24  "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that
received tribute [money] came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master
pay tribute?" Matthew 17:25 "He saith, Yes. And when he was come into
the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of
whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own
children, or of strangers?" Matthew 17:26 "Peter saith unto him, Of
strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free." Matthew
17:27 "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the
sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and
when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money:
that take, and give unto them for me and thee."  We see in this that
Jesus was not subject to these taxes, but He paid them anyway to keep
down trouble.

     Romans 13:7 "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom
tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to
whom honour."

     I Peter 2:17 "Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
Honour the king." In our society today, it has become fashionable to
disrespect authority of all kinds.  A few years ago our mother taught
us to respect others. This is the same thing God says in His Word.
Even the world who does not have Jesus should be shown respect, if
they are in higher office. It is really respect for the office we are
showing. We must remember that a person is in that particular office
because God put him there.

     In summing up this lesson, we can see the importance of having
great respect for God. We must respect Him and trust Him enough that
we will also respect the people He has put in authority. Remember if
we do not respect those in authority, then we are saying that God was
not wise in choosing that person for that job. We must not question or
accuse God, He knows best.

                                 Notes























                             Questions 29

1.  Let every soul be subject to the ______ _______.
2.  There is no power but of ___.
3.  In God's plan, who is the head of the home?
4.  What has taught our children that they are the center of
    everything?
5.  In 2 Timothy chapter 3, this time is called what?
6.  Describe the people of this day from 2 Timothy 3.
7.  For whom should we submit to those in authority?
8.  When we question the authority of someone, who are we really
    fighting?
9.  In Romans ch.13 v.2, Whosoever resisteth the power will receive
    what?
10. In Titus ch.3 v.1, who are we reminded to obey?
11. Who are rulers a terror to?
12. Who are they who can harm you, if you are good?
13. If we have broken the law, what can we expect?
14. In numbers ch.35 v.19, who shall do the punishing?
15. In Romans ch.13 v.5, we are not to obey just because we are afraid
    of God's wrath, but because of what?
16. Why should a Christian let his or her conscience be their guide?
17. Where is the conscience located?
18. If Jesus did not owe taxes, why did He pay them?
19. Where did they find the money to pay the taxes for Jesus?
20. Render therefore to all their ____.
21. Honour all___.
22. Love the ____________.
23. Fear___.
24. Honour the ____.
25. Who first taught us to show respect?
26. When we show respect for the president, what are we really showing
    respect for?
27. Sum this lesson up by telling how much respect for God we should
    have.

                                 Notes