We show hospitality. We are welcoming. We make people part of the group and fellowship with them.
Dealing With People
12:14-21
Every Christian who lives boldly for Christ will have adversaries. (14) We do not do evil even to those who do it to us. We do not seek vengeance. (19) We leave that to God. (19) Here, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35. This passage is part of the last words of Moses to Israel before he dies.
Vengeance is God’s because God is just. He will judge people for their sins and, especially, for their persecution of God’s people. He promises to vindicate his people. (Deuteronomy 32:36)
In fact, not only do we not take revenge on our enemies or opponents, we meet their needs where we can. We overcome evil with good. We bless them rather than curse them. (14) Doing so, heaps burning coals on them. (20) That means our honorable acting toward them may prick their conscience and lead them to repent of their actions. And, if not, their judgment will be greater because they persisted despite your benevolence toward them.
We seek to live in harmony with all people. (16) They might not let us, but we will do so for our part. We have empathy, rejoicing and weeping with them as they do. We do not rejoice when others experience calamity.
We do not discriminate against the lowly, but associate with them as much as anyone else. (16) James tells us that showing partiality to the rich over the poor we are committing a sin. (James 2:9)
We are not loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, part of the greatest commandment according to Jesus: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)
Instead of looking down on those in need, we come along side and help them. We can benefit from the example of the first Christians. “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common…There was not a needy person among them.” (Acts 4:32)
Subject to Government Authorities
13:1-5
Before we get into these verses, let’s remember the circumstances under which Paul wrote. He lived in the Roman Empire. He was a citizen of Rome as well.
Paul was subject to several layers of governmental authority. There was an emperor. There were regional governors. There were city authorities. There were magistrates who were city judges. And, if things got out of hand, there were centurions with armies to back them up.
Paul did not get to vote for any of these authorities. Many of them were hostile to Christianity.
Yet, Paul instructs us to be subject to the governing authorities. (1) The reason is the Lord has given these people authority and instituted them. Paul is not the only one who said this.
Peter also said:
“Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” (1 Peter 2:13)
Jesus told Pilate he only had the authority given him by God. (John 19:11)
Daniel 2:21 says God removes and sets up kings.
God, in his sovereignty, appoints rulers.
Therefore, those who resist the authorities resist God and the structures he has ordained. (2) Those who resist will incur judgment. Certainly, you may be judged by the authorities themselves. But, the implication is judgment from God.
If you want to stay on the good side of the authorities, do what is good. God instituted government to restrict evil and punish wrongdoers as agents of God. (4) They can be agents of God without knowing they are.
The church has always recognized an exception to this command. Christians will not obey the government if it requires them to worship someone other than God or tries to prevent the worship of God.
An example of this occurs in Acts 4:19. The Sanhedrin instructed Peter and John to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John responded that they would listen to God rather than the Sanhedrin.
Chapter 17 of the Baptist Faith & Message states: “Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God.”
Pay Taxes
13:6-7
As further obedience to the civil authorities, we are to pay taxes imposed on us by them. Paul repeats that even the taxing authorities are ministers of God.
Jesus taught the same thing. When asked if the Jews should pay taxes to Caesar, Jesus said to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s”. (Matthew 22:15-22)
Takeaways
God’s standards often counter humanity’s natural desires and motivations.
God’s standards are high (because he is perfect) and often difficult to maintain.
Only those who have been changed by Christ and indwelt with the Holy Spirit can do so.
No matter how difficult, it is our duty to God to live as he prescribed.
And it will be a great witness to his glory and righteousness.
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