A Study on the Book of Romans.

Romans Chapter 13: The Day is at Hand.

In the first part of this section Paul instructs the believer, the expected obedience to authority.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 

Therefore, opposition to authority is opposition to God set ordinance, And brings judgment. That is God’s judgment brought through the appointed authority.

Rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil. 

Doing good is a means to be kept from the wrath of those in authority. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But for those who do evil, he rightly bares arms: “he dose not bare the sword in vain.” For he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practice evil. That God’s judgment is not offset for eternity, but is active now to administer justice. 

As Peter also teaches saying: 

 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1 Peter 2:13-15

Therefore exercise what is good not only in fear of wrath but for doing what is right [for conscience sake].

for because of this you pay taxes [for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing

That taxes are God sanctioned institution for the running of authority just as tithe are to the house of the Lord. However, the giving to the house of God is a freewill offering, not an exaction. When Jesus and Peter were asked to pay the temple tax, Jesus asked Peter saying from whom do kings of the earth takes taxes & customs from, their sons or strangers? when he replied strangers, Jesus said “then the sons are free.” [Matthew 17:24-27]  

Therefore pay taxes to those taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. 

That is to say: “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” Give to each one what is due, “respect where respect is due.” And Not only that, but to pray in support and guidance for all in Authority in acknowledgement of God’s ordinance.  

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quite and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. 1 Timothy 2:1-3   

In the following section Paul address how a believer ought to walk in love, with his neighbour.

That the whole law is summed up in “Love your neighbour as yourself.” that is the royal law. Love does no harm to another therefore the love is the fulfilment of the law. 

And do this knowing the time, it is [high time: about time] to awaken out of sleep, for our salvation is nearer than when we first believed the night is far spent the day is at hand. Therefore cast of the work of darkness and put on the armour of light.

The day is at hand: that is the return of the Lord, is drawing nearer. Then put on the armour of light, because the world around you is dark, as the Lord also says “you are the light of the world.” And “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in haven.” Matthew 5:14,16 Therefore, not to walk in the manner as you have done in the night in drunkenness, but doing what is proper and right to be done in the day, doing good works, for this you are saved.

  • For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. [for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth], finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:8-11
  • Therefore, He says “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:14-15
  • That he [the believer] no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lust of men, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2  

Let us walk properly as in the the day: not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. BUT put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts. 

The best and simply way to express this would be in the words of John the Baptist: “therefore bare fruits worthy repentance.”  Matthew 3:8

that you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10


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