Lehigh Valley Conservative

History has taken us into the 21st century and the Christian community here in the United States is void of understanding both of the government workings and without depth of Biblical understanding. The Christian have replaced both Biblical Law and Biblical Doctrine with emotion and a false understanding of what is required by God. Their emotionalism of “Love’s Concept” forces any and all interpretation of God’s law to be without justice as a consideration. They have used “Love the sinner and hate the sin” cliché to completely make void and/or over look almost any sin that has developed these past 100 years.

This simple excuse of loving the sinner has been re-enforced by any number of scripture passages but the one I want to focus on is in Paul’s book to the Romans chapter 13 verses 1-7. These verses have allowed the Christian to make many an excuse for following any ruler without the reasoning or logic of thinking. These verses have allowed the secular humanist to run rough shod over anything the Christian thought was righteous in government, and the Secular Humanist,(God haters) have twisted these verses to make it look as if they can force any rule and/or ruler to stand, regardless of the rulers lack of righteousness. Now—-this would not be a problem if we had a champion in the Pastor but, in the last 100 years they have stood against none of it and allowed the supposition to stand. There are few Pastors who would argue the case for God and worse the Pastor through his wrong exegesis of Romans 13:1-7 have re-enforced the head in the sand mode that the Christian is taking. The Pastors of today do nothing but agree with the evilness and general direction the Secular Humanist wants to take the sheep. Even more troubling the sheep willingly go along with this twisting of Paul’s teaching.

I have included and quoted, each verse from the King James Bible, it is important as I start to make my remarks and attempt to explain what I think the Bible is saying———–you can refer directly to the verses quickly. I will also give you the “Strong’s” number for those of you who understand that numbering system.

Paul’s Book to the Romans 13:1-7

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.

Paul starts in verse one by making it clear God (the high power) is in charge of everything and that; “…the powers that be are ordained of God”. The key word in verse one is the word “ordained” Strong’s #5021 The Greek word—-Tasso—to arrange in an orderly manner, assign or dispose: (to a certain position or lot)
Paul sets the tone of the whole passage (verses1-7) by settings two key elements in place.
1/ Telling us who is the higher power.
2/ Who puts those powers in place—orders them.

Paul also tells us every soul is subject to that power and the order of power. We will come back to verse one shortly but let us continue on.

Paul in verse two tells us, making it clear—“Whosoever therefore resiseth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God…” Note what Paul is telling us, we are resisting God and His ordinance and because you are resisting the order and Him you will receive damnation. One of the key words in this verse is the word ordinance—the Greek word “Diatage” Strong’s # 1296 from the Greek work “Diatasso” Strong’s#1299 to appoint, order Note #5021 Tasso and #1299 is almost the same word(1299) having the Greek “Dia” as a prefix meaning “through”. So we have the idea of through order of God and that is what you would be resisting. Resisting not only God’s order but God Himself thereby calling damnation down on yourself.

Verse 3 Paul tells us how the ruler is to act and what is to be expected of the ruler. He is not to be a terror to good works, but to the evil.

It is important to understand first the order of things and that the ruler falls under the same order as do you, both the citizen and the ruler is under God’s law. It is interesting in Luke 7: 1-10—–Jesus heals the Centurions servant in verse 7:8 the Centurion said; “For I also am a man set under authority…” the word “set” (#5021) Greek “Tasso” is the same word Paul uses in Romans 13:1. In verse 7:9 “When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him…” Why was this? The Centurion understood the order of things and he knew exactly who Jesus was and that he was under Jesus Christ authority.

So far I have presented two elements:
1/ The order of things (verses 1 & 2)
2/ What is expected of the ruler and the fact that there is damnation if you or anyone including the ruler if he doesn’t obey (verse 3)

Verse 4 “For he is the minister of God to thee for good…”

This verse is key to what the ruler is to do both if the citizen is good and/or evil. It also tells us the ruler is to execute justice through his power over the governing sphere. He is not to punish “Good”—a key element to understanding these passages. Because in verse 5, Paul gives us liberty for conscience sake. The citizen is given direction through the civil law in the land but also has the dictate—-by their conscience to question and go against the ruler in what is happening as the ruler acts outside God’s law, both the rulers action maybe wrong (outside God’s Law) in going against the citizens conscience and contrary to God’s law.

Peter in Acts 5:29 tells us clearly “…we ought to obey God rather than men.” The word obey Greek “Peitharcheo” (Strong’s #3980) To submit to authority. Again you have the idea of ranking in an orderly fashion up to a higher authority. Peter told the Jewish Temple Leaders what he and the followers of Jesus Christ would do—-follow God’s Law.

Verses 6 &7 God sets up the means of supporting the government and the mechanism of tribute, custom, fear and finally honoring of the government agent/ruler.

This sets up my understanding of the passages and what I think must be said.

Romans 13:1-7 clearly gives one the power for conscience sake and sets-up an orderly element of God’s rule. The ruler is given guide lines by which he must act and more importantly is the fact, that the citizens will know his place.
If the ruler is evil, taking the citizens down the path of destruction, ruining both the citizens and their country would not Paul and/or God want a righteous correction of action for the good people of the land? The argument—“Let every soul be subject unto the high powers….”.—-Carries no validity or truth as being binding on the citizen or the Christian citizen if it is not placed into the context of some righteous order and a qualification of behavior and/or Godly justice——for both the ruler and the citizen must be acting within God’s dictates.
The above argument carries proof if we look at James 4:7 who tells us what is to take place. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
It must be understood, that to not resist an evil magistrate and/or the devil would be the sin, for the citizen in this case is not resisting the ordinance of God but an unrighteous magistrate. And if in fact the design of the government has gone from righteous to unrighteous is not the ordinance (order of things) wrong, as is the magistrate evil, should we not have two counts on which to resist. Is not the magistrate acting the role in direct contradiction to his office as God has set-up? And with that—-there is no good end to your submission to this higher power, because the powers are not of God but of your weakness in understanding the nature of the evilness, which is coming directly from the magistrate.

Finally; the only reason for the institution of civil government and the only rational ground of submission to it, is the common safety and utility it brings, as God’s power have ordained it.

Christian think long and hard on your calling—–and on to Righteousness and what you must do for Christ sake.

Randy