Results 21 - 23 of 23
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Results from: Notes Author: wilmap Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | Did American Revolution violate Rom 13:1 | Rom 13:1 | wilmap | 157680 | ||
Brad: Like Apollos, you are a "learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures." I will try to as Priscilla and Aquila who "explained to him the way of God more adequately." (Acts 18:24,26) 1. "And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not." (Malachi 3:18) Eph 1:12 goes on to say that "we should serve for the praise of his glory." This is so non-Christians might be led to do similarly. (1 Pet 2:12) I have read many comments on this site that demonstrate that you and others can distinguish between a Christian and one "professing to be one." This will not interfere with 'God being God.' The Jews that died in 70 AD died because they did not heed Jesus' clear prophecy. Instead they either picked up arms against the Romans, or continued eating and drinking, etc. until the "flood" came and swept them away. Those destroyed at Armageddon will be those that make similar mistakes. 2. I encourage people to read carefully about the wars of the “OT.” Discern what or who enabled the Israelites to be successful. Did God sanction all wars? How did he view alliances Israel and Judah made with pagan nations? Why did the Law instruct the future kings of the nation not to multiply horses for themselves? However, Christ was the fulfillment of the law, and the “holy nation” is now, not fleshly Israel, but spiritual Israel – the Christian congregation. A new day dawned when our Exemplar, Jesus Christ, laid down his life for us, while we were yet sinners. He showed us how to live and die so as to please God. He paid his taxes, although son of the One that created and owns everything. He could have called upon legions of angels to fight his captors, but his kingdom is not part of this world. Who are we to take the life of even one individual that Christ died for? Meditate on God’s view of life by studying the “Cities of Refuge” provision in the Law. Do you think he will allow us to rationalize away the 100 million deaths that resulted from man’s wars in the 20th century alone? Only genuine repentance accompanied by actions that demonstrate one has turned away from such a former course will result in an approved standing before our merciful and just Father. This life is a far cry from the “real life.” It is a world gone mad under demonic influence. Certainly, in the end, God will prevail. But meantime, he is allowing us to prove which side we are on. There are only 2 – God’s and Satan’s. There are only 2 ways to worship – one is false and unacceptable to God, and the other true and pleasing to Him. He has destroyed ungodly persons in the past, and will do so again in the near future. Satan is a tremendous deceiver that can make one believe that bad is good and good is bad by playing on our deepest desires, even natural and wholesome ones. You say I’m “too literal” but I suspect many may be “too liberal” with the Scriptures. Jesus knew what he had to do, although it made him unpopular and lead to his death. When Peter tried to encourage him to take a less strict view of his clear instructions from God, he was told to “get behind me Satan (resister).” The road a Christian takes is narrow and cramped and few are finding it. They must exert themselves vigorously in order to stay on the road leading to life. That life in Paradise will make any ridicule, torture or manner of death seem momentary and light compared to endless life in comparison. Imagine a world where Paul's counsel at Romans 12:17-21 is practiced by all. Or how about these by Peter: "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it."(1 Pet 2:21-23; 3:8-11) Hope to see you there. |
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22 | Did American Revolution violate Rom 13:1 | Rom 13:1 | wilmap | 157707 | ||
Thanks for asking. In brief summary, I started this discussion by asking whether persons such as Sam Adams violated Romans 13:1 by inciting the American Revolution against British rule. After all, the Romans were far more oppressive than the British, yet Paul was inspired to give this counsel. However, I have now generalized the subject, partly in response to various comments and partly due to my own desire to show the the importance of knowing when to obey the governments and when to refuse. One Forum participant wrote: "Remember the original issue for the colonists. It was freedom of worship. The European governments were oppressive in other ways as well, but the core issue was the right to worship our Lord Jesus Christ as His Word told them to, not according to the whims of the monarchy, or whatever factions were maneuvering for power. Perhaps God led a few good men to seek liberty, and perhaps some, for their own reasons, joined in." The apostle Paul and all first-century Christians lived under a government that made it difficult to openly worship. Paul used the courts to attempt to advance true worship. He was imprisoned and eventually killed (according to tradition), but he never advocated a revolution. Rather he encouraged full allegiance to God and his anointed king, Jesus, and obedience to the government as long as they did not ask them to violate God's laws. The principle is that simple, but the difficulty is trying to carry this out in Satan's nationally divisive world with our imperfect flesh. I believe "God lead" him to do these things, and thus, could not have "lead" the colonists to violate these same inspired words. Paul admonished the Ephesians: "Find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather exposes them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret." (Eph 5:10-12) May we all continue to earnestly seek God's refinement. Hope that made sense. Wilma |
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23 | Did American Revolution violate Rom 13:1 | Rom 13:1 | wilmap | 157723 | ||
Mak: I couldn't have chose a better Biblical example myself. Throughout this account (see v. 4:8-11 and 5:1-2), there is displayed on the part of God's loyal servants utmost respect for the ruling authority and confidence in ultimate deliverance by God. Someone else pointed out the example of Daniel, and I would add his 3 Hebrew companions that told the king: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Dan 3:17-18) Taking matters into their own hands without consulting a prophet of God never led to a good outcome for the Jews. Today, we consult God's Word for the proper course to take as we conduct ourselves as "foreigners" among the nations. We cannot expect miraculous intervention by God as He provided for Israel. God has given his only-begotten Son, and if we exercise faith in him by following his faithful course, we can be assured of God's help to resist being overtaken spiritually by Satan and attaining the hope of everlasting life. Imagine TV footage of US troops marching around Bagdad once a day for 6 days blowing trumpets and singing, and doing the same, but 7 times on the 7th day. Next you see all the fortifications of the Iraqi Royal Guard crumbling, exposing them as easy prey. But that didn't happen, nor were any true prophets consulted. Someday soon, however, God will come to the aid of of loyal Christians in a manner that will make Jericho pale in comparison. (Matt 24:22) The last days pant along toward their completion and the hope of a new earth(minus the ungodly) and a new heaven(ly government), God's kingdom. How glorified our Savior will be at that time! Thanks again for the Scriptural support. Wilma |
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