“for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” -Romans 13:4 One of the most clear declarations in Scripture that the civil magistrate […]
Crumbs From Our Master's Table
[CRUMBS IS ON A TEMPORARY HIATUS UNTIL EST. JUNE 2022]
CRUMBS is a free, daily morsel of truth you can consume in a minute but chew on all day long. It is nourishment for the soul delivered straight from the King's table to your email inbox. Of course, these morsels are not a substitute for the nourishment of the Word and Sacraments served on the Lord's Day, but they are good with coffee or tea in the morning.
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Seeking Approval of the Highest Authority
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. […]
Resisting Authority Incurs Judgment
“Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” -Romans 13:2 From the time Israel first became a tribute nation (subservient to Gentile nations) to the time of Paul’s writing, there have always been zealots who’s goal was to raise enough support to overthrow the occupying armies. […]
Subject to the Governing Authorities
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” -Romans 13:1 The word translated person in this place is the Greek word, psyche, or soul. Paul says, Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. This begins […]
Heaping Burning Coals
“To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” -Romans 12:20–21 Instead of what seems natural to the flesh—to take vengeance on […]
Vengeance is God’s
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”” -Romans 12:19 Paul appeals tenderly to the believers, calling them Beloved. Certainly, it is a sensitive charge. Human nature wants to retaliate, seek what we, in our limited view, believe […]
Live Peaceably With All
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” -Romans 12:18 Paul began his list of exhortations to Christians with the charge that we love genuinely, abhorring what is evil and holding fast to what is good. Each of the exhortations are in one sense independent of the others but in […]
Do What is Honorable
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” -Romans 12:17 Paul further exhorts believers that they are not vindictive for wrongs suffered but instead think about the best way to respond in such a way that unbelievers, those outside the church, and even the […]
Harmony Through Humility
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” -Romans 12:16 This next exhortation is one of humility. Previously, Paul told believers not to think of themselves more highly than they ought to think (vs. 3), which is a general exhortation to […]
Gospel-generated Love
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” -Romans 12:15 Adding to his list of character traits becoming of a Christian, Paul next lays down an exhortation toward true love for one’s neighbor, that of mutual affection. Genuine gospel-generated love is compelled to share in the celebrations as well as the heartache’s of […]