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AUGUST 14

23:4,5 Rather than wearing oneself out pursu- 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ. This
ing wealth, pursue the wisdom of God and phrase summarizes sanctification, the contin-
what glorifies Him,and He will bless with pros- uing spiritual process in which those who
perity as He chooses. have been saved by faith are transformed into
His image and likeness (2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19;
Phil. 3:13,14; Col. 2:7; 1 John 3:2,3). The image
For riches certainly make themselves Paul uses to describe that process is taking off
wings; and putting on clothing, which is symbolic of
They fly away like an eagle toward thoughts and behavior. no provision. This
heaven. word has the basic meaning of planning ahead
or forethought. Most sinful behavior results
Romans 13:1–14 from wrong ideas and lustful desires we allow
Let every soul be subject to the govern- to linger in our minds (James 1:14,15).
13 ing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and the authorities that exist another, for he who loves another has fulfilled
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are appointed by God. Therefore whoever the law. For the commandments, “You shall
resists the authority resists the ordinance of not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,”
God, and those who resist will bring judgment “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false
on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is
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good works, but to evil. Do you want to be any other commandment, are all summed up
unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, in this saying, namely, “You shall love your
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and you will have praise from the same. For neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to
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he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of
do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the the law.
sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an 11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it
avenger to execute wrath on him who practices is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our
evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
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because of wrath but also for conscience’ 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand.
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sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, Therefore let us cast off the works of dark-
for they are God’s ministers attending contin- ness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let
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ually to this very thing. Render therefore to us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry
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all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, cus- and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust,
toms to whom customs, fear to whom fear, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Je-
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honor to whom honor. sus Christ, and make no provision for the
8 Owe no one anything except to love one flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
DAY 14: How should a Christian respond to the government?
In Romans 13:1, Paul says,“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.”This Greek
word was used of a soldier’s absolute obedience to his superior officer.Scripture makes one excep-
tion to this command:when obedience to civil authority would require disobedience to God’s word
(Ex. 1:17; Dan. 3:16–18; 6:7,10; Acts 4:19,20; 5:28,29). Every position of civil authority without regard
to competency, morality, reasonableness, or any other caveat (1 Thess. 4:11,12; 1 Tim. 2:1,2; Titus
3:1,2).“For there is no authority except from God.”Since He alone is the sovereign ruler of the uni-
verse (Pss. 62:11; 103:19; 1 Tim. 6:15), He has instituted 4 authorities on earth: 1) the government
over all citizens; 2) the church over all believers; 3) the parents over all children; and 4) the masters
over all employees. Human government’s authority is “appointed” and is defined by God. He insti-
tuted human government to reward good and to restrain sin in an evil, fallen world.
Since all government is God-ordained, disobedience is rebellion against God (v. 2) and will be
met with judgment. Not God’s judgment, but punishment from the government for breaking the
law. Even the most wicked, godless governments act as a deterrent to crime. Peaceful, law-abiding
citizens need not fear the authorities. Few governments will harm those who obey their laws. In
fact, governments usually commend such people.
“For because of this you also pay taxes”(v.6).The Greek word referred specifically to taxes paid
by individuals,particularly those living in a conquered nation to their foreign rulers—which makes

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