📅 February 3: Romans 13, 14 - Governing our Actions in Love

Daily Bible Readings February
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:date: February 3: Romans 13, 14 - Governing our Actions in Love

:earth_africa: Introduction

In Romans 13 and 14, Apostle Paul navigates the intersection of culture, government, personal freedoms, and faith. He provides guidance for Christians living under a government while maintaining Christian values, and accentuates the importance of love as the ultimate guideline for behavior.

:classical_building: Romans 13 - Upholding Law, Governed by Love

:scroll: Key Verse: Romans 13:8: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Here, Paul expresses the importance of respecting and following the law, not just as an obligation but as a matter of conscience. Yet, the overarching law - the one that governs all others - is love. This profound idea stresses the universal commandment of love above all else.

:plate_with_cutlery: Romans 14 - Non-Judgement in Disputable Matters

:scroll: Key Verse: Romans 14:13: “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”
Paul addresses the disagreements between believers around disputable matters like dietary laws and special holy days. He calls for mutual respect, love, and understanding towards each other’s practices and beliefs rather than passing judgment.

:sparkles: Key Themes and Reflections

  1. Respect for authority: Paul emphasizes respecting governmental authorities. It’s important to question how this plays out today in light of oppressive or unjust governments. We are challenged to discern between lawful authority and those abusing power.
  2. Love surpasses law: The decree of love above law is revolutionary. It invites us to evaluate every action and decision based on whether it promotes love.
  3. Non-judgement and acceptance: The call for tolerance and openness towards differing beliefs within the Christian community is a timely reminder even today. We’re urged to foster unity in diversity, embodying Christ’s love.

:bulb: Today’s Application

Romans 13-14 provides a blueprint for living as Christian citizens in today’s diverse world. It prompts us to respect laws, but also to act in love and understanding, and refrain from judging others’ practices.

:mag: Hidden Gem

An interesting fact: Romans 13:1 is one of the most politically debated verses in the Bible due to its call for submission to governing authorities. This verse has been interpreted in diverse ways across history.

:thought_balloon: Reflective Q&A

  • :question: What does “fulfilling the law through love” mean to you?
    • A: It could mean that acting in genuine love and kindness automatically aligns with God’s laws and commands.
  • :question: How can we balance respect for authority with standing against injustice?
    • A: We can respect laws that are just and promote goodwill, while peacefully and courageously standing against laws that are oppressive.
  • :question: How can we apply the principle of non-judgment in our lives today?
    • A: By embracing diversity, seeking understanding before critique, and prioritizing unity and love in our relationships.

:speech_balloon: Join the Discussion

We invite you to share your reflections on today’s readings. How do these chapters speak into your life? How does ‘acting in love’ affect your everyday actions?

:date: See You Tomorrow in Romans 15, 16

Tomorrow, we’ll explore Paul’s passionate desire to preach the gospel where it had not been heard and his plans for his mission journey. As we dive further into Romans, let’s remember to guide our actions with love, the ultimate law of the Christian faith.

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Romans 13,14
The apostle continues to outline the obligations of believers. In ch. 13 he deals with civil responsibilities; in ch. 14 he outlines ecclesial responsibilities. They reflect the practical issues of the gospel, the works of faith required of those of faith. • So Paul outlines in ch. 13: • [1] The conscientious submission to the Truth: vv. 1-6. • [2] Actions to one’s neighbours: vv. 7-10. • [3] The urgency of observing these principles: vv. 11-14. • Paul thus shows that if there is a breakdown in society’s law and order the ecclesia would find it difficult to survive, as demonstrated in Gen. 13:13. Paul speaks of magistrates as powers, higher powers, that is, persons invested with authority, and placed in supreme control over their subjects. All mankind is not of one rank, does not stand upon an equal level. Of course, the original fountain from whence all power is derived is Yahweh, the Creator and Sustainer of all, and is to be used for Him. However, under the present situation, the magistrate acts by divine control, and consequently should act for the interest, honour, and glory of God. It is agreeable to the will of Yahweh, that there should be such a thing as magistracy and governments in the world; and it is His appointment that men should be governed by men deriving the power and authority from Him: Until “Thy Kingdom Come,” remembering the powers that be are ordained of Yahweh. So the apostle’s strict injunction for subjection unto magistracy, is seen as a divine ordinance: Let every soul be subject, that is, every person, whatever rank, or station, high or low, honourable or dishonourable, rich or poor, be subject to Yahweh’s ordinance. It should be that the best believers are always the best subjects; none are so true to their coming King as they that are most faithful to their God. Obedience to magistrates, the Law of the Land, is both the duty of, and in the interest of brethren and sisters of the coming King. • Then in Rom. 14, Paul sets forth: • [1] The principle of mutual considerateness: vv. 1-23. It must be noted that the phrase “weak in faith” (v. 1), does not relate to those of a “weak faith,” and the verse should not be taken out of context. It concerns those who have an over-scrupulous feeling in such matters as eating and drinking. Those without such a conscience of restriction, should allow the scruples of their brethren. See Expositor: Romans for more details. Romans 14 deals with differences concerning food and holy days. We may not condemn one another for things indifferent. Let us not judge one another in matters not related to doctrine, rather show love to each other, for the Kingdom of God is higher than meats, drinks, or days. Therefore we do nothing doubtful in our mind (Rom. 14:1-4). Differences of opinion must keep in mind “him that is weak in the faith,” who is not firmly established, “not rooted and grounded in the faith” (cp. Col. 2:7). Therefore we are instructed to receive those not fully instructed in knowledge, but not to discuss and pass judgments on any doubts he may entertain. (Literally, not acting so as to make distinctions about disputatious reasonings-- Conybeare and Howson.) The idea is that disputes over doubtful questions must not be a stumbling block to the believer (Rom. 14:5-9), for one man esteemeth one day above another. A second difference of opinion is now cited. Some who did not understand that the old covenant was done away in Christ, believed that the Jewish Sabbaths and new moons should be kept sacred. (Compare Col. 2:16 and Gal. 4:9-11). Verse 9 shows the separate stages following the Lord’s crucifixion, “He died, and rose, and revived.” The word for ‘rose’ is the Gk. anistemi, which means ‘to stand up,’ and the word here correctly used for ‘revived’ is Gk. anazao, meaning to recover to life. It is proof positive that there was no immortal emergence. The Lord died to destroy the diabolos (Heb. 2:14), he rose and revived, cleansed from the defilement of sin, to become consubstantial with the Deity, and of spirit-nature. Observe, that to this supreme and absolute Lord every one of us must give an account of our actions, and from him receive our final judgment. The argument the apostle draws from here is to dissuade us from censuring and judging one another; and that is drawn from the consideration of the last and final judgment. Why dost thou judge thy brother? We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. To this supreme and absolute Lord every one of us must give an account of our actions, and from him receive our final destiny. The sum of the whole is this, to show how lacking in love, how unsafe, and not Christ-like at all, is to make such an undue use of our liberty in Christ, as may occasion our weak brother to fall or stumble (vv. 14-16), lest we destroy him for whom Christ died (vv. 17-18). The kingdom of God does not consist merely in outward things, and believers should endeavour to cultivate peace and brotherly affection (vv. 19-21), denying themselves of certain privileges, than be the means of causing stumbling to a weak brother. Verses 22-23 show clearly that all things should be done in the spirit of faith. The “good” mentioned in v. 16 speaks of the character or constitution which provides for something beneficial in its effect. Thus it speaks of the application of God’s will. We are to prove it (Rom. 12:2), to work at it (Rom. 2:10), to cleave to it (Rom. 12:9), and to do it (Rom. 13:3). On the other hand, uncharitable conduct will cause God’s way to be evil spoken of. We must uphold the apostolic doctrine and practice it in purity and strength. — Logos.