What a privilege to represent Jesus to such a needy world!

Romans 13 is not solely a manual on the Christian’s obligation to governing authorities. Paul continues the chapter with a focus on love, for others and for our Lord whose return is imminent. Thomas Constable, one of my professors at Dallas Seminary, puts it clearly, Chapter 13 deals with living in the world as a Christian. Paul counseled submission to human government and love for all people while we actively wait for our Lord to appear.

The way a Christian lives today speaks volumes to how seriously he takes Jesus as Lord. As John Stott rightly declares, it is not Christlikeness only that we are to assume, but Christ himself, laying hold of him, and ‘living under him as Lord.’ Romans 13 places us squarely in the middle of a fallen world. Yet, our lives can reflect, should reflect, must reflect the world to come where Jesus will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I hope you will join me in studying Romans 13 under the Books of the Bible tab. What a privilege it is to look forward to the return of our Savior as we celebrate His first appearance in Bethlehem. May those we meet today see Jesus in us.

God is in control, even today!

We live in a day of highly charged emotions concerning politics and the role of government in our lives. Paul addressed similar issues with the church at Rome. It was not an easy time for Christians nor would it become any easier as Nero’s rule as Caesar became practically unbearable.

Fast-forward to the United States in the days of COVID-19, wearing masks, inability of political parties to cooperate for the good of every citizen. What does Paul say to our condition? He says a lot! Romans 13:1-7 is a declaration of God’s sovereign rule over mankind, including governments He has placed in authority. Why should a Christian be accountable to governments perceived to be corrupt since we are not of this world? We are part of a higher kingdom. Well, Paul would remind us that we are part of two kingdoms, earthly and heavenly.

I was intrigued by a quote from Charles Hodge, a 19th century American theologian, scholar and educator. He declared, The gospel is equally hostile to tyranny and anarchy. The Apostle Paul would agree with that statement. Christians are obliged to submit to governing authorities but are bound to civil disobedience when those authorities require our disobedience to the direct commands of God.

This is a brief introduction to the lesson from Romans 13. I encourage you to go to the Book of the Bible/Romans tab and allow God’s Word to help you sort through the craziness of these days.

Give Thanks for Spiritual Blessings!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for reflection. It should be a time to remember the many blessings we have. In the midst of current difficulties, we have plenty for which we can give thanks to God.

Paul was overwhelmed by what God had done for him. He proclaimed in 2 Corinthians 9:15, Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! At this time of year, it is worth our time to consider the gift of which Paul was speaking. According to verse 14, the gift is the grace of God in you. How can such a gift be described? From the divine side, Paul gives a beautiful description in chapter 8, verse 9, For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. The indescribable gift is God’s gift of His Son which is received by grace through faith alone.

On the human side, how can we attempt to describe this indescribable gift? I would encourage you to meditate on the following words: foreknowledge, adoption, justification, sanctification, and glorification. These are theological terms that help us grasp, to a small degree, the indescribable gift of God’s grace.

• Foreknowledge is tied to election. Augustine clearly stated, God elected believers in order that they might believe, not because they already believed....It is only by an act of great compassion that He saves anyone. The condemned receive just what they deserve. The elect receive more than they deserve. What a gift of grace!

• Adoption is the act of God which places believers in His family. We who were separated from God because of sin and enslaved to sin, are now part of His family. What a gift of grace!

• Justification is the act of God whereby we who were dead in sins are declared righteous. Jesus Christ became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. What a gift of grace!

• Sanctification is the work of God whereby we who are justified are being conformed to the image of Christ. What we believe becomes more and more what we do. What a gift of grace!

• Glorification is the work of God whereby we who are justified and being sanctified will be fully conformed to the image of Christ. Oh, to be like Him. What a gift of grace!

Paul rightly calls God’s gift of grace indescribable. Yet, I encourage each of us to think biblically and thank God for His grace: He called us; He places us in His family; He gives us right standing; He enables us to live for Him; He is sufficient to bring us blameless into His presence. What a gift of grace!

For Christians, Thanksgiving is every day!

A short history of Thanksgiving tied to communion as an act of thanksgiving

may be found under the Topical/Seasonal tab.