Romans 13:1-7
(New International Version)
Submission to Governing Authorities
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Christine Carla
ReplyDeleteDuties Towards State Authorities
For me, as a whole, this passage speaks for our leaders..
Be it leaders of the country we are in, leaders/authorities in our work, in our church and even in our homes.
These people, our leaders/the authorities, are there for us to follow and as said 'they bear the sword' that is why we are obliged to do our duties.. Whatever it is, in the right way.
Maridel
I agree ate carla.. :))
Hans Jason
for me...
we are to submit with one another, respect each other...all of us are under someone's authority...and some people also are under "our" authority at some point too...
for example...a janitor...we know a janitor has a boss...and he is under the authority of his boss...but...we are also under his authority if we are on some floor he is working with...we also respect him too if we wanted to?
Hans Jason
sometimes another term for janitors are...floor managers...am i right? :))
Christine Carla
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jason too.. All of us has the authority over someone, yet it is always important to use that authority We have in a nice and respectful way.
Hans Jason
whether we are in authority or under such authority...then v.3..."Then do what is right and you will be commended. " ...
Hans Jason
i had a not-so-good experience on this...
when i left my teaching job because i cannot take it anymore to "submit" to my bosses... because i didn't want to submit to their ways...i suffered my consequence on it.
Christine Carla
Yep.. Sometimes it goes with the pride in us. But it's always a good thing to realize that we were wrong and the fact that we can do better when taking the challenge again.
Hans Jason
true...Pride...and it's something so hard to do...especially when you know that that someone who has authority on you is doing a "not-so-good" thing... or doing something not right...how would you cope up with it?
Christine Carla
Now, that's a different story.. Do you need to just cope up with it? I think it'll be better if you'll have the courage to face that certain person and tell him off.. I mean.. That he/she is doing a not-so-good thing..
Anelyn
ReplyDeleteFor me, this scripture simply tells us that we as people of God need to obey the rules set before us so we could have a harmonious life.God put those people in authority to guide us in everything we do. I agree with Christine and Jason.. and since we also have power over other people, we should strive hard to be a good model as well.
Hans Jason
what courage left on me to tell her then was that... i told her...im resigning. :(
Anelyn
Well, I think in situation like that, we better pray for that person and let God's grace and mercy work on her.
Hans Jason
yup...i admit i did a mess back then.
Hans Jason
as a whole i think...we have to submit to one another through love...in love to one another...whether in authority or our subordinates...
on God's command that we will love one another.
Anelyn
Well,always remember Kuya Jason that everything work together for those who love the Lord. All is well and everything is unfolding as it should.
Sometimes,we may not have courage to face things like that but but God will always be faithful and will never leave us alone.
Christine Carla
Agree to Ate Anelyn :) be role models to others..
And with the principal's attitude, there goes the challenge to have more patience. I believe that if we are doing the right thing then even if how hard it is, there's always a reason to go on.. Just like what i'm going though at work now.. People with certain attitude over us.. Geez, sometimes they really tend to push you to your limits, yet it's always for us to decide.. To give up or face it and know that you can win over them..
Hans Jason
@ ane: =) yup!
@ tin2: that one too...forebearing and having patience to a person.
Anelyn
That's right Tine! I've also experienced that at work. But God always tells us that we need to be humble. (sometimes...a difficult thing to do)
Christine Carla
Well, i think that's all i could share for tonight.
thank you for this wonderful evening of sharing thoughts and learnings guys! God is awesome! ♥
Hans Jason
for me as a whole...i want to summarize the passage...on God's command to us... Love one another.
thank You Lord for this message you've given to us tonight.
thank you too for the sharing tonight. :)
Anelyn
Same here! Praise be to God! Until then everyone ,it really feels good to study the Word of God with friends. Have a good night rest everyone and always remember that Jesus loves us so no matter who we are ^_^
Amen!
ReplyDelete