Because we love God, we struggle with ascribing responsibility to Him for those things that we don't see as good. He does not have this problem. He is sovereign over all and does all and uses all for His good purpose. "I am the LORD, and there is no other, The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these" (Isaiah 45:6b-7). His purpose is that all may come to know Him. We pray for the many to do so in this life, before it is too late.
Ms. Milhoan, I must clarify to you and others who have been led into confusion about this topic. There is a major difference between an established “ruler,” such as what ruled Israel in which the bible is referencing, and a tyrant. The Romans invaded and usurped the region of Judea, which was and is and will always be the sole proprietorship of the Jews. And Jesus only referenced the coin and the taxes owed Caesar to His own people, not to Gentiles. If they didn’t pay their allotted taxes, then He would have been considered a definitive instigator in the rebellion, and be arrested before fulfilling His purpose to Israel in the predetermined timeframe. In the US, we have a biblically inspired Constitution where the government is By and For the people. If the elected officials break the laws they demand of the citizenry, then they are to be gotten rid of. We are not to allow them to continue by submitting to them. Unfortunately, this country is on the path of lawlessness and self-destruction where this is concerned. God may allow, but He doesn’t choose satanic murderous wicked rulers such as Pol Pot and Hitler and expect those nations to submit to them. To understand the scriptures, people Must understand to whom it is referring. Some of the “authorities” were the high priests and Sanhedrin. That doesn’t apply to Gentiles.
Knowledge, particularly of history, and the resulting context, are key.
There are things that we don’t understand about scripture because some of us, including me, don’t immerse themselves in the study of it. I started out criticizing God’s Word because it seemed to contradict itself at first glance, I now know that it doesn’t and that because we are of finite capacity to absorb and comprehend, we’re going to have to let Him fill in the blanks in His own time. Good comment, Deborah.
I have struggled with these verses, too. Also with “insofar as it it possible, be at peace with all men.” Fortunately, we live in a country where we have a voice, rights, etc. Unfortunately, the adversary stirs up many to oppose the very laws we are living under. It gets complicated. I appreciate this thought provoking article.
Regarding the covid shots, if one considers his or her own body to be a temple of the Lord per scripture and the government seeks to relieve him or her of that obligation, my course would be to prioritize God’s will over the government’s disobedience to their own Constitution as they kick Him out of it. When one has a “Hobbson’s choice” that flies in the face of God’s instruction, there must be times when the Holy Spirit guides us, particularly if we’re not well-read. We then ask, and sooner or later we’re answered.
Yes, John, this was one of the foremost scenarios that entered my head, along with past historical atrocities, when reading her post. I had spiritual discernment about the world governmental agenda regarding the jabs of death from the very beginning. These governments are anti-christ and therefore have no concept of the love of God nor Man. They do not represent the code of leadership and authority for which the Bible referenced snd therefore no one should comply but rid them of power. Since we are now in the end of days, they are fulfilling their evil role.
I humbly submit that you are confused about my confusion. Those who read "obey" in Romans 1:1 used that as in appropriate support for compliance in violation of conscience, in my opinion. That's why the original language matters. "Be subject to" is the original language, which is also different than "submit to." I submit to God. I obey Him. I do what is right in His eyes, even if that contradicts what the ruling governmental authorities order me to do. If the government mandates that I, as a physician, violate my faith by participating in abortion or euthanasia, I will not comply, understanding that as a subject of a government I may lose my license and/or not be able to practice medicine. Subjection implies the consequence of being a citizen of a government. In my submission to God, I may disobey a government mandate, but I will face the consequences of that civil disobedience. God is still sovereign, even over evil. He used the Assyrians to punish the kingdom of Israel, and then punished the Assyrians. He used the Babylonians to punish the kingdom of Judah, and then punished the Babylonians. If His word tells me, "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities,” I seek understanding for what that means because I desire to honor, obey, and glorify Him. Romans 14 is a wonderful follow-up to Romans 13. We each may be called by our Master differently and we are each individually accountable to Him.
“Such government is our only worldly hope of avoiding lawlessness.”
I urge you to consider the only “law” left on the field when Jesus established the NC, rendering the OC obsolete. This is our worldly hope... our eternal hope, our ever present hope.
Once we receive the love of God, there is no law left... our law is to love AND it’s authentic, infectious, compelling & unconditional.
John 13:34-35
The Mirror Bible says it quite beautifully.
John 13
34 I give you a new commandment, keep on loving one another just as I have loved you - my love for you is the source of your love for one another. (The word entole, which is often translated commandment or precept, has two components: en, in and telos, from tello, to set out for a definite point or goal; properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, by implication, the conclusion of an Acts or state, the result; the ultimate or prophetic purpose. Strong’s 5056.)
We are followers of Christ and citizens of heaven, so, yes, we love God and love others. We still live in this world and His word guides us on how to do so, practically advising us on how to live under authorities who are not in submission to Him.
Because we love God, we struggle with ascribing responsibility to Him for those things that we don't see as good. He does not have this problem. He is sovereign over all and does all and uses all for His good purpose. "I am the LORD, and there is no other, The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these" (Isaiah 45:6b-7). His purpose is that all may come to know Him. We pray for the many to do so in this life, before it is too late.
Ms. Milhoan, I must clarify to you and others who have been led into confusion about this topic. There is a major difference between an established “ruler,” such as what ruled Israel in which the bible is referencing, and a tyrant. The Romans invaded and usurped the region of Judea, which was and is and will always be the sole proprietorship of the Jews. And Jesus only referenced the coin and the taxes owed Caesar to His own people, not to Gentiles. If they didn’t pay their allotted taxes, then He would have been considered a definitive instigator in the rebellion, and be arrested before fulfilling His purpose to Israel in the predetermined timeframe. In the US, we have a biblically inspired Constitution where the government is By and For the people. If the elected officials break the laws they demand of the citizenry, then they are to be gotten rid of. We are not to allow them to continue by submitting to them. Unfortunately, this country is on the path of lawlessness and self-destruction where this is concerned. God may allow, but He doesn’t choose satanic murderous wicked rulers such as Pol Pot and Hitler and expect those nations to submit to them. To understand the scriptures, people Must understand to whom it is referring. Some of the “authorities” were the high priests and Sanhedrin. That doesn’t apply to Gentiles.
Knowledge, particularly of history, and the resulting context, are key.
There are things that we don’t understand about scripture because some of us, including me, don’t immerse themselves in the study of it. I started out criticizing God’s Word because it seemed to contradict itself at first glance, I now know that it doesn’t and that because we are of finite capacity to absorb and comprehend, we’re going to have to let Him fill in the blanks in His own time. Good comment, Deborah.
Thank you Dr. Milhoan. This is very difficult to understand when you are surrounded by Godless "leaders". May there be peace on earth.
I have taken much comfort in 1 Peter 3:14 and I am not intimidated by them. Thank you for your continued analysis.
I have struggled with these verses, too. Also with “insofar as it it possible, be at peace with all men.” Fortunately, we live in a country where we have a voice, rights, etc. Unfortunately, the adversary stirs up many to oppose the very laws we are living under. It gets complicated. I appreciate this thought provoking article.
Regarding the covid shots, if one considers his or her own body to be a temple of the Lord per scripture and the government seeks to relieve him or her of that obligation, my course would be to prioritize God’s will over the government’s disobedience to their own Constitution as they kick Him out of it. When one has a “Hobbson’s choice” that flies in the face of God’s instruction, there must be times when the Holy Spirit guides us, particularly if we’re not well-read. We then ask, and sooner or later we’re answered.
Yes, John, this was one of the foremost scenarios that entered my head, along with past historical atrocities, when reading her post. I had spiritual discernment about the world governmental agenda regarding the jabs of death from the very beginning. These governments are anti-christ and therefore have no concept of the love of God nor Man. They do not represent the code of leadership and authority for which the Bible referenced snd therefore no one should comply but rid them of power. Since we are now in the end of days, they are fulfilling their evil role.
I humbly submit that you are confused about my confusion. Those who read "obey" in Romans 1:1 used that as in appropriate support for compliance in violation of conscience, in my opinion. That's why the original language matters. "Be subject to" is the original language, which is also different than "submit to." I submit to God. I obey Him. I do what is right in His eyes, even if that contradicts what the ruling governmental authorities order me to do. If the government mandates that I, as a physician, violate my faith by participating in abortion or euthanasia, I will not comply, understanding that as a subject of a government I may lose my license and/or not be able to practice medicine. Subjection implies the consequence of being a citizen of a government. In my submission to God, I may disobey a government mandate, but I will face the consequences of that civil disobedience. God is still sovereign, even over evil. He used the Assyrians to punish the kingdom of Israel, and then punished the Assyrians. He used the Babylonians to punish the kingdom of Judah, and then punished the Babylonians. If His word tells me, "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities,” I seek understanding for what that means because I desire to honor, obey, and glorify Him. Romans 14 is a wonderful follow-up to Romans 13. We each may be called by our Master differently and we are each individually accountable to Him.
“Such government is our only worldly hope of avoiding lawlessness.”
I urge you to consider the only “law” left on the field when Jesus established the NC, rendering the OC obsolete. This is our worldly hope... our eternal hope, our ever present hope.
Once we receive the love of God, there is no law left... our law is to love AND it’s authentic, infectious, compelling & unconditional.
John 13:34-35
The Mirror Bible says it quite beautifully.
John 13
34 I give you a new commandment, keep on loving one another just as I have loved you - my love for you is the source of your love for one another. (The word entole, which is often translated commandment or precept, has two components: en, in and telos, from tello, to set out for a definite point or goal; properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, by implication, the conclusion of an Acts or state, the result; the ultimate or prophetic purpose. Strong’s 5056.)
Mirror Bible (https://app.mirrorword.net)
We are followers of Christ and citizens of heaven, so, yes, we love God and love others. We still live in this world and His word guides us on how to do so, practically advising us on how to live under authorities who are not in submission to Him.