Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Many of us think we can just do as we please because we only have to answer to GOD. This is not true at all. According to GOD's word we are to obey those over us and to abide by their rules. How many times have we used the excuse, I am doing GOD'S will so I don't have to obey the laws of the land. That is not only wrong but it is a sin and in Romans 13:2, it says if you resist the power you resist the ordinance of GOD, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Those are very strong words brothers and sisters. Now let us look at one part of this picture. There is a time when one must disobey an law or order. That time is when the law contradicts GOD's law. If we are ordered to stop praying, we don't stop praying. If we are ordered to stop sharing our faith, we don't stop sharing our faith. These are very obvious contradictions to the word of GOD and must not be obeyed. Since I frequent the American Online Bible Fellowship chat room I would like to use this as an example of using the bible as an excuse to disobey what is known as the Terms Of service or TOS. When we first signed up for AOL we agreed to abide by TOS. There is nothing in this agreement that is contrary to GODS word, yet I see so many members use HIS word as an excuse to violate TOS. When we are told disruption of a room or harassment of another member is not tolerated, some will say I am obeying GODS word by ramming religion down a members throat or condemning a member for he/she's belief or life style. Yes sin is sin, and can never be tolerated, but harassment of another member will not bring that person to repentance or salvation. Let us remember that to confront a brother or sister in CHRIST it must be done in private. We also have to remember when we keep hounding a member or harassing a member this is a violation of TOS. Since we are told to be subject to the higher powers this becomes sin. I use this as an example because must of you dear readers are on AOL and can understand this. We must respect each other and this does not mean to compromise GOD'S word. When the law specifically violates GOD'S word we then are not to obey it. But I caution all that using GOD'S word to as an excuse to violates an agreement or to disobey the laws of the land has serious consequences. I hope and pray that we all take this seriously and work at obeying GOD'S word which means obeying our agreement with AOL and the laws of the land. © Copyright 2001 by John And Cindy Thomas
13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: