GOFAMINT DEVOTIONAL - BE SUBJECT TO LAWFUL AUTHORITY

CHRISTIAN DUTIES

Monday 9/5/2022

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 240, 242

Devotional Reading: Rom. 13:1-12

Topic For Adults: Be A Responsible Citizen

Topic For Youths: Be Law Abiding

Topic For Intermediates: Learn To Obey Civil Laws

Lesson Scriptures: Rom. 13:1-21; 1 Pet. 2:13-21; Isa. 56:1; Prov. 21:3

MEMORY VERSE

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep;

for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent,

the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put

on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11-12) NKJV.

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                BE SUBJECT TO LAWFUL AUTHORITY

  Romans 13:1-6

Many people look for ways of disobeying civil authorities and justify their actions by claiming that the people in positions of authority are unjust and self-serving. Civil laws are disobeyed with impunity; those in government are abused and even cursed. Sometimes, Christians participate in these disobedient acts. The result of citizens flagrantly disobeying civil laws and authorities is anarchy which will lead to the collapse of the society. We need to know that human government is approved, if not ordained, by God. God allows those in power to get to the positions of authority; even the wicked rulers. Christians should not disobey lawful civil authorities nor break civil laws. If people in authority are misruling, Christians should seek lawful ways of changing the rulers. Punishment for disobeying civil laws is not tantamount to persecution.

Point of Emphasis: Let your conscience bear you witness - obey lawful authority.

Prayer Point: Father, make us change makers in our society that has become grossly lawless.

Reading The Bible Through in a Year: Morning: Tit. 3; Evening: Ps. 126-128

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BACKGROUND

Last week’s lesson focused on the topic, ‘Saved to Serve’. Indeed, we are to serve, but who? In our lesson this week, we shall consider what our duties as Christians should be to the government, society and fellow believers. What you know become easier to apply.

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NOTES ON THE LESSON

PART 1: DUTIES OF A CHRISTIAN TO THE GOVERNMENT – ROM. 13:1-6; 1 PET. 2:13-21

The Christian is primarily a citizen of heaven, but is still living in an earthly society that is governed by laws. All power belongs to God (Ps. 62:11) and He gives it to whomever He wills (Jer. 24:4-7). Human rulers therefore derive their powers from God; they are expected to rule as His representative on earth. Some rulers have lost the consciousness of this fact and therefore misuse the power God has given them. Notwithstanding, the Christian should note:

(i) Rulers are God’s representatives on earth to maintain law and order. The Christian should be subject to the ruler for the Lord’s sake and should not act as if he is above the law.

(ii) Power has been given to rulers to punish the disobedient. Anyone who breaks laws should expect punishment and the wrath of the ruler. A Christian should not suffers as a lawbreaker.

(iii) When a ruler enacts a law which conflicts with God’s express command, the Christian should be determined to obey God’s command, even if he has to suffer for his position (Acts 5:27-32).

Wisdom needs to be applied because there have been cases where Christians have not applied sound judgment in what they took to be God’s commands.

PART 2: DUTIES OF A CHRISTIAN IN THE SOCIETY - ROM. 13:7-10; ISA. 56: 1; PROV. 21:3

In our society, people do what is convenient and what pleases them rather than what is right and good for the society. Christians should not contribute to this decay; rather, they should be the salt of the earth. Christians should commit themselves to doing what is right for conscience sake and not because they will be punished if they are caught.

(i) Pay correct tax and import duties to government. Do not give the excuse that the money is being embezzled.

(ii) Give honour to whomever honour is due: Church members are to honour their ministers; children are to respect and honour their parents; employees are to honour their employers; etc.

(iii) Endeavour to pay your debt when due. Christians should not borrow without the intention of paying back.

(iv) The debt a Christian owes, which he should continue to pay and which he can never finish paying is that of love to others around him. Be ready to forgive those who offend you out of love for them. If you cannot love people whom you can see, you do not really love God whom you have not seen.

PART 3: DUTIES OF A CHRISTIAN TO FELLOW BELIEVERS - ROM. 13:11-14, 17-21

Isaiah 60:2 says, “For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you”. Darkness or night implies a state of utter godlessness and sin. Lust of the flesh and manifestation of carnality belong to the night. This is the condition in which the whole world is in now. The Christian needs to be spiritually sensitive and alert. The enormity of ungodliness in our generation is a pointer to the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ. The Christian cannot afford to slumber spiritually; it is time to wake from slumber.

There will always be difference of opinion about some doctrines among Christians. For example, there is the age-long debate about the sovereignty of God and free will of man. There are also differences in Church conducts from one denomination to another. Often a Church emphasises these differences to prove it is better or more spiritual than others. The more fundamental doctrines of the Bible which determine either a believer is acceptable to God or not are those which affect life of holiness. There should be no compromise on these. But on issues of Church conducts, tolerance should be shown.

In the case of the Church in Rome, the bone of contention was what food should not be eaten and which holy days should be observed. In the Church today, instead of judging other Christians on such matters we need to (i) realise that they are responsible to God and not to us; (ii) decide to try to build up and encourage those we consider to be weaker than ourselves; (iii) be careful that we do not exercise our Christian liberty in a way that will make weaker brethren to fall; we should be our brother’s keeper; and (iv) strive to be like minded with other believers by humbling ourselves.

CONCLUSION

Christians are called to live at a standard higher than unbelievers; they should live in consciousness of the fact that they will be called to give account to God. Believers in Jesus Christ should not constitute problems to the government, to the community or within the Church; rather they should be solution providers.

QUESTIONS

1. Taxes and import duties are parts of what a Christian should pay to the government. What should he or she do if the money is mismanaged?

2. What should a Christian do when government’s law contradicts God’s law?

3. A commodity its supplier should not stop to supply and its beneficiary should not be tired of receiving is what?

4. There is a lot of differences in the conducts of various denominations. There should however be tolerance but no compromise on those that affect life of holiness. Explain.

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

©2022 THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL DEVOTIONAL IS BY PASTOR (DR) E.O ABINA, THE GENERAL OVERSEER OF GOFAMINT Worldwide.