20160712 Tuesday, July 12 2016
Romans 13: The World Of Tomorrow

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation"

True Christians (see Strait And Straight and Which Way Is Right And Left?; also Why Call Me, Lord, Lord, and Do Not The Things Which I Say?) can be found in practically every country ("a sovereign territory") and nation ("a race of people") on Earth.

But not a single country or nation today is the Kingdom of God (see the Fact Finder question below). That is just as true of any time in the past, with the exception of the united Kingdom of Israel which was created as an object-lesson prophecy of the coming Kingdom of God (see When Will The Prophecy Of Israel Be Fulfilled?). Of themselves, the Israelites were no more the Kingdom of God than any other nation - their self-destruction through their own politics and religion is the stark proof of that (see The Politics And Religion Of The Lost Ten Tribes and Why Did Judah Fall To Babylon?).

While true Christians find themselves subject to various man-made governments, with a wide spectrum of tolerance or hostility toward those who truly live by the Word of God as best they humanly can, the LORD commanded His people to live as "good citizens" of wherever they happen to have been born or now live: "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."

"13:1 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. 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 13:3 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: 13:4 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. 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." (Romans 13:1-7 KJV)

The citizenship of the LORD's people will be fulfilled as a future event (see the Fact Finder question). Any spirit of rebellion won't get anyone there. Living according to God's Law is what will make that ultimate Citizenship possible.

"13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." (Romans 13:8-14 KJV)

Fact Finder: What does "born again" actually mean? What does "Kingdom of God" actually mean?
See What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16? and The Only Political Party That's Going To Survive