Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Romans 13:1-3a
Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, busy with this very thing. Pay to all what is due them - taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Romans 13:3b-7
When we do not consider the welfare of all everything begins to break down. For to uphold each and every person, we must consider how everyone puts to life his/her being. It is very observable that people exercise their individual power and "group" power differently. We need at all time to consider the role of the ruling powers in the midst of the full exercise of who we are alongside others. Therefore, in society we are called to act within lines of behavior. If we don't...be ready to suffer the consequences. Just like people in a household. Does anything go? No. Am I free to exercise my power of being fully? Yes & No. When it destroys others...When it takes place at the expense of others...there are line that must be drawn for the welfare of all. And yet, it is so much better when we act justly and mercifully toward others not because of what punishment there could be if we don't. Rather, what do we as followers of Jesus place in high regard as we engage our neighbor with lives that follow Jesus?
Connection: The next time you see orange barrels...don't dismay...praise God for the order within our lives that is carried out by those in authority who are given the task of seeing to the well being of all
Praise be to you our Lord of Life for you encourage us to honor our neighbors and abide by the rules of the day that seek to care for all you beloved. Grant us wisdom to respect the rules and to take note and even resist when the rules of the authorities do not call for justice and peace for all. Amen.
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