July 30
2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27; Romans 13:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 20:11
Why was he stopped? The policemen knew a black man had committed a crime, but they wrongly stopped an upstanding black man who happened to be in the area at the wrong time. This scenario occurs across America more often than we like to think.
Paul says the “authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). This concept is repeated throughout the Bible in Proverbs 8:15, Daniel 2:21, 37–38; 4:17, 25, 34-35. Even more mind boggling, we are to submit to these authorities even when they are wrong. If we rebel, we are “rebelling against what God has instituted” (Romans 13:2).
When Paul wrote this, Nero was the cruel Roman ruler. His name is equivalent to evil because he murdered his stepbrother, wife, and mother, and persecuted Christians. He is accused of setting the great fire of Rome in 64 AD and then blaming it on the Christians. He had a passion for music; thus, the rumor he fiddled while Rome burned. Living under this rule, Paul had every reason to question if God really established Nero as emperor of Rome. Probably some of the Jews questioned the same as they lived under the ruling kings listed in II Chronicles─Uzziah who was so full of pride he tried to burn incense on the altar of incense despite 81 priests who tried to stop him and Ahaz who “burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his children in the fire.” Historians say there was a tax revolt in Rome at about the time of Paul’s writing (NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible). Therefore, Paul addresses the need to pay taxes “for the authorities are God’s servants” (Romans 13:6). Paul urges them not only to pay taxes, but to respect and honor the authorities. However, we are not to stand idly by when injustices are committed. Depending on one’s convictions, we can pray, or oppose injustices with a voice of reason to persuade society to change, or become involved in civil, peaceful protests against injustice.
Finally, Paul challenges, “let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8). If we love others like Christ did, we will not break the ten commandments of murdering, committing adultery, or coveting, but we will fulfill the law. If we saw people not as Democrats or Republicans, Black or White or Latino, wealthy or poor; but viewed them as us, blemished and unfinished, made in the image of God, how would that change the world?
Father, may I show honor to those you have set in authority over me. Give me your love for others. Help me with love to take appropriate action to change issues in my world. Amen.
Question of the day: Do you need to change your views toward authority figures or check your thermometer in loving others?
Why was he stopped? The policemen knew a black man had committed a crime, but they wrongly stopped an upstanding black man who happened to be in the area at the wrong time. This scenario occurs across America more often than we like to think.
Paul says the “authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). This concept is repeated throughout the Bible in Proverbs 8:15, Daniel 2:21, 37–38; 4:17, 25, 34-35. Even more mind boggling, we are to submit to these authorities even when they are wrong. If we rebel, we are “rebelling against what God has instituted” (Romans 13:2).
When Paul wrote this, Nero was the cruel Roman ruler. His name is equivalent to evil because he murdered his stepbrother, wife, and mother, and persecuted Christians. He is accused of setting the great fire of Rome in 64 AD and then blaming it on the Christians. He had a passion for music; thus, the rumor he fiddled while Rome burned. Living under this rule, Paul had every reason to question if God really established Nero as emperor of Rome. Probably some of the Jews questioned the same as they lived under the ruling kings listed in II Chronicles─Uzziah who was so full of pride he tried to burn incense on the altar of incense despite 81 priests who tried to stop him and Ahaz who “burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his children in the fire.” Historians say there was a tax revolt in Rome at about the time of Paul’s writing (NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible). Therefore, Paul addresses the need to pay taxes “for the authorities are God’s servants” (Romans 13:6). Paul urges them not only to pay taxes, but to respect and honor the authorities. However, we are not to stand idly by when injustices are committed. Depending on one’s convictions, we can pray, or oppose injustices with a voice of reason to persuade society to change, or become involved in civil, peaceful protests against injustice.
Finally, Paul challenges, “let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8). If we love others like Christ did, we will not break the ten commandments of murdering, committing adultery, or coveting, but we will fulfill the law. If we saw people not as Democrats or Republicans, Black or White or Latino, wealthy or poor; but viewed them as us, blemished and unfinished, made in the image of God, how would that change the world?
Father, may I show honor to those you have set in authority over me. Give me your love for others. Help me with love to take appropriate action to change issues in my world. Amen.
Question of the day: Do you need to change your views toward authority figures or check your thermometer in loving others?
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