Bible Chapter: Romans 13

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    This chapter starts out talking about the necessity of being in submission to authority.  God established governments to give order to daily life and to restrain evil.  Those in positions of authority are responsible before God to lead in righteousness.  Citizens are to respect proper authority and live according to the laws.  Those who are doing what is right don’t have to live in fear of the law.
    All of God’s commandments can be summed up in one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself”.  As I think of this it comes to mind that if everyone would follow even this one commandment our world would be a totally different place.  This is an illustration of the power of the Bible.  Living in obedience to God’s Word and in submission to Jesus changes the world.  Those who scoff at the Bible talk about all the horrible things in proclaims.  That simply is not true.  The Bible gives us guidelines that makes life so much better.  Those living in genuine love don’t hurt the world around them.
    We are told here to put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  We are to behave in righteousness rejecting active participation in sin.  When we put on Jesus, we change the world.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    My study Bible (known as the Fire Bible) has a pair of feet in the margin of verses 12-14.  This is part of the theme of Walking In Obedience And Righteousness.  We are commanded to get rid of the sinful actions of darkness (V.13 NIV . . . not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy) and clothe ourselves in Jesus.  We are not even to think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  The modern culture not only openly participates in all kinds of sin, it promotes it and encourages all to participate.  Entertainment is filled with sinful activities which causes people to imitate them.  When people entertain themselves with sin it is impossible to follow this command to not even think about fulfilling the sinful desires.
    If I am going to follow the commands of the Bible summed up in loving my neighbor, I must walk in righteousness and be careful what I fill my mind with.  What is in my mind is what I think about.  I can’t truly show love to others without turning from sin and all the destruction it brings.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I can help people by living a Biblical definition of love.  This includes both the positive and negative commandments.  It is not only what I must do, it is also what I must not do.  This balance must be maintained.  Then as I continue to grow I will help others.