Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience —- Part 6

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience —- Part 6

In the previous part, we talked about the importance of putting our trust in God, instead of experts, pharmas or doctors. We have the mind of Christ to discern carefully, instead of following blindly. Of course, if you are a carnal Christian, you will just jump straight and listen to the big pharmas.

It is still too early to judge if what the 'experts' are doing is making earth look like heaven, because many things are still unfolding and being brought to light. Romans 13 only applies if the earthly exousia is executing what is in line with the heavenly exousia.

Having said that, neither should we swing to the other extreme and get into rebellion/revolt. As believers, we need to take time to consider carefully before we decide not to follow the earthly exousia.

At this point, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 💉💉💉 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟑. The governing body only strongly encourages the people to 💉💉💉. Similarly, the governing body has been encouraging child birth because of our low birth rate. In fact, they came out with 'pandemic' baby bonus and various perks/privileges (like they did for the 💉💉💉) to get people to begin parenthood. It is one of SG's top priority, because birth rate has a significant impact on our nation and society.

Did the pulpit preach using Romans 13 to get all the believers to marry early and start having babies? "We should submit to the government and obey by having babies quickly!!!"

By no means! Because parenthood has many factors involved and believers have choices.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚. Don't be quick to put one thing under Romans 13 unless you can put everything under it.

I reckon that fear and self-preservation are the main driving forces that push believers to think that taking the 💉💉💉 is submission to the governing body. 

At this point, Romans 14 applies to believers when it comes to the 💉💉💉. Since everyone is on a different journey in the Lord when it comes to life, healing and health, we must not judge a brother or sister based on the decision they make, 𝐈𝐅 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧. - Rom 14:23

As long as your decision is of faith (Matt 9:29), you can proceed. For some, not taking 💉💉💉 is a decision of faith. For some, taking 💉💉💉 is a decision of faith. What is important is not the act itself, but 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 for making that decision.

For some took 💉💉💉 so that they can eat in restaurants; some took 💉💉💉 so that they can gather in big gathering, etc. Convenient Christianity will be the cause of downfall when persecution comes. Because if we cannot withstand some restrictions, we won't be able to withstand when the persecution comes.

Should the day come when what is in the dark is exposed in the light, we can then decide if we are under subjection to the King of heaven or the king of the earth.

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience —- Part 5

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience — Part 5

In Part 4, we talked about the immediate context of Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2, where both pointed to the civil governing authorities (exousia). 

Therefore, as believers, we are subject to the earthly exousia as long as it is in line with the heavenly exousia, because the main purpose is to establish His Kingdom on earth.

In light of this, how do we make sense of the current one world’s solution on 💉💉💉? Does it even fall under Romans 13?

Firstly, we need to understand where we should be putting our trust in, when it concerns life and health.

Nowhere in the Bible tells us to put our trust in men, including experts/doctors. Nowhere in the Bible tells us that life, healing and health come from doctors.

Christians who trust doctors more than they believe in the Word of God are simply carnal in this area. It doesn’t matter how many theological degrees, researches and papers you have obtained/written, if your trust for healing and health is not in the God of the Word, you are carnally minded in this aspect. This might offend many, but truth often offends and if we can’t take it, it reveals the level of our maturity.

Many believers will say that they trust God more than the doctors, but their actions reveal otherwise. Some think that the doctors are sent by God, putting them indirectly (subconsciously) on the same tier.

If you can find a verse in the Bible that explicitly says that God sends doctors to heal the sick, I am happy to change the theology. Yes, Dr Luke was a Gentile physician in the early church, but that does not imply that he was sent as God’s healer. He was only regarded as Paul’s companion and a historian. We must not interpret what is not in the Word. Otherwise, it is eisegesis instead of exegesis.

𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬 (through the Word and prayer). Yet because we don’t always live by His way (either due to a lack of revelation or due to our growth process in mind renewal), there is provision for doctors. 

The root of medical practice is man-made Ancient Greek religion by the way. This is partly found in the Hippocratic Oath where modern doctors take. The law of first mention of physicians is found in Egypt (Gen 50:2) as a pagan nation. It wasn’t until in the book of Sirach Chapter 38 (Apocrypha) that doctors were written as God-sent. Not in the Bible anyway.

Having said this, if not for doctors, many would be in trouble (but many also got into trouble because of trusting doctors). But we must not think that they are God’s way of healing and health.

Yes, we can thank God for the provision. But we must give credit where credit is due. So don’t give glory to God if your healing didn’t come from Him. Give glory to doctors, if they are the ones who help you get back your health.

In light of this pandemic, you don’t necessarily have to trust what the experts/doctors say about the 💉, unless you are a carnal Christian. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐝. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭. You have superior wisdom and you can discern if you should follow the experts or not. No expert is greater than Christ, 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮, unless you are a carnal Christian. A carnal Christian with a Greek mindset will pursue knowledge and put his trust in knowledge instead of the Holy Spirit who knows ALL things.

This is why you see theological scholars living in the flesh instead of the Spirit. Just because one studies textbooks more does not make him spiritually-minded. 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 (1 Cor 2:14-16). We are to love God with our mind but it is about 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 (Rom 12:2) aka the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), not the natural, carnal mind (Rom 8:6).

Until we have this area of understanding established, we might just jump into Romans 13 and follow blindly, because we think that the experts and the pharmas are absolutely helping the earth to look like heaven in this pandemic. It is still too early to judge because many things are still unfolding and brought to light.

For some, it is not selflessness but self-preservation that led to their decision to 💉💉💉. If it's a personal choice, that's fine. But some are using Romans 13 and the Great Commandment to encourage more (including their flocks) to follow. That is an abuse of the Word and it's called convenient Christianity.

In the next part, we will continue with how we can respond as believers to the 💉💉💉 in light of Romans 13.

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience —- Part 4

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience —- Part 4

In the previous post, we have established the following:

i) As long as what is being executed on earth reflects heaven, we are to be subject to the earthly governing body.

ii) As long as what is being executed on earth does 𝐍𝐎𝐓 reflect heaven, we are to execute 'exousia' as the Kingdom governing body.

Romans 13 does not teach ordination of specific persons; neither does it mandate the type of government. 𝐈𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 '𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐚' (authority). We must be clear between the two.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬: 

The Jewish-Roman relations were already pretty bad, which partly resulted in the Jews being exiled by Claudius, for he later feared insurrection due to Jewish-Christian riots over Chrestos (which was likely Christ).

Under Claudius, the Gentile Christians met in houses. The Jewish Christians were forbidden from gathering in synagogues. 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭. Restrictions were removed when Claudius died and Nero came in power.

The Jews then returned to Rome. It would be natural for them to resent the Roman government and the anti-Jewish attitudes against them, which was also reflected among the Christian communities.

It was in this overall context that Paul wrote to 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 among both groups of Christians, as well as 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 from Judaism by it's living example, i.e. do not rebel against the government.

From Romans 12, Paul had been addressing the letter to both groups: Gentile and Jewish Christians. He wasn't specifically addressing the Gentile Christians like he did in some previous chapters. 

Romans 13:1 - "Let every 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 be subject to the governing authorities." The word 'person' means 'every living soul'. It does not merely refer to the Gentile and Jewish Christians. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬.

Since the sons (Christians) are free from the temple tax (Matt 17:26), and non-believers are not obligated to pay it, the 'two-drachma' (temple) tax only applies to the Jews. Therefore, Romans 13:6 is referring to the Roman tax because Romans 13:7 is taught by Jesus (Matt 22:17-21) concerning Roman tax.

In other words, Romans 13 is not about Jewish and synagogue governing authorities, but about 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. It is to distinguish the Christians and to exemplify Christ in every way (Rom 13:14).

We let Scriptures interpret Scriptures. 1 Peter was written during the later reign of Nero (𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬), where Christians were unjustly persecuted.

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds... 𝐁𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 as sent by him to punish those who do evil... For this is the will of God, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. - 1 Peter 2:12-16 (Read Romans 13 again)

In the next part, we will talk about whether 💉💉💉 falls under Romans 13.

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience —- Part 3

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience —- Part 3

In Part 2, we talked about the purpose of '𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐚' and '𝐞𝐤𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚' ----- to continue God's government and establish His Kingdom on earth.

As believers, the 'exousia' (delegated authority) given to us is meant to fulfill that designated jurisdiction (the Kingdom's government on earth). This is why we have Luke 10:19, Matt 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-18. We have Christ's authority (exousia) to walk in divine protection and crush every form of darkness.

Since we have been assigned with this designated jurisdiction, we are to execute the 'exousia' in every arena that doesn't look like heaven. This is in the Lord's prayer. In other words, the 'ekklesia' (church, called-out ones, believers, Body of Christ) is God's Kingdom governing body on earth.

How do we reconcile this with Romans 13 on subjection to earthly authorities? It's very simple.

𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭, 𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰.

For 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐫. Therefore one must be in subjection, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡 but also 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. - Rom 13:3-5

The passage tells us that the earthly authorities (rulers) are set in place to carry out what is good. They are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. This reveals 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, which is the foundation of God's government (Ps 89:14). We are to do what is good (Gal 6:10; Micah 6:8), which is in alignment with heavenly and earthly government.

However, if the earthly governing authorities are executing what does 𝐍𝐎𝐓 look like in heaven, i.e. contrary to the Kingdom of God, 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 of kings whom we are first called to obey and follow. In such scenario, the 'ekklesia', on whom the Kingdom government is delegated upon our shoulders, should execute the 'exousia' (heaven's delegated authority) with the law of the Kingdom.

This is why Christianity was the central figure to abolish slavery in the States in the 19th century. If they simply follow Romans 13 blindly, this might not have taken place.

The Kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Spirit. The earth should reflect that. Where there is law FOR injustice, abuse, slavery, abortion, homosexual marriage, etc, of which none is in heaven, we do NOT be subject to the earthly authorities. For we must obey God, and not men (Acts 5:29). That also means that we must speak up and take action.

Note: Some church leaders say, “I don’t want to be involved in politics and the government. Let me just do my own thing in the church.” That’s not biblical. That’s religion. Religion does not interfere with life on earth. You can be involved in politics without being political. By NOT making any stand, you are already making a stand by not executing your God-given exousia to establish His Kingdom on earth.

As long as what is being executed on earth reflects heaven, we are to be subject to the earthly governing body.

As long as what is being executed on earth does 𝐍𝐎𝐓 reflect heaven, we are to execute 'exousia' as the Kingdom governing body.

In the next part, we will look at the immediate context of Romans 13 as well as 1 Peter 2, and see how Scriptures cannot be broken, because some have taken Romans 13 to the other extreme where they only limit the context to the synagogue leadership between the Jews and the Gentiles.

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience --- Part 2

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience --- Part 2

On the previous post, we have established the foundation of earthly exousia (delegated empowerment for moral authority) set in place as God's ordinance on earth. 

We are to be subject to that "governing authorities" (Rom 13:1-2). While the establishment of leadership is from God, the leaders may not be of God because people have the free will to choose their own leaders.

Why does God tell us to be subject to the earthly exousia? The answer lies in verse 3-5.

For 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐫. Therefore one must be in subjection, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡 but also 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. - Rom 13:3-5

One must read the Bible in context. A text without a context becomes a pretext for a proof text. By reading in context, I do not just mean the context of that chapter or the book itself, i.e. Romans. Because each book falls into the context of a bigger idea, i.e. The New Testament, The New Covenant, the whole Bible, etc.

In other words, if your interpretation for that passage cannot line up with the whole counsel of the Bible (esp the New Covenant), if it is not part of the jigsaw puzzle, then there is a high chance that you need to re-evaluate your interpretation.

In order to understand Romans 13, we not only need to know that Rome was in control at that time (Emperor Nero was in power); we not only need to know that the Jews just came back from exile by Emperor Claudius (Acts 18:2), because the latter feared a potential insurrection due to the disputes between Christians and the Jews.

We not only need to know that Paul was writing the letter to reconcile the Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, but we also need to know the big idea of what 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐚 and 𝐞𝐤𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 is in the Kingdom of God.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 𝐎𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐭 and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞. - Isaiah 9:6-7

The word 'government' here is the word 'rule' and 'dominion'. Sounds familiar? God's original purpose for mankind is to rule and take dominion on earth (Gen 1:26). Since Adam failed to establish God's government (rule and dominion) on earth, Jesus came and brought God's government (Isaiah 9).

Jesus came preaching and demonstrating the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt 4:23; Matt 12:28). The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Spirit (Rom 14:17). 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧) 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡. In other words, the earth should reflect heaven in every arena. This is why Jesus healed the sick and set the captives free on earth, because there is no sickness and captivity in heaven.

God's original intent for mankind 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 change. Jesus came to re-present and demonstrate it, before multiplying His seeds (John 12:24) through His death. 𝐀𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (Rom 5:17) and establish His kingdom on earth (Matt 6:10).

This is why we are called the 'church' or '𝐞𝐤𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚' (the called-out ones from the world into the Kingdom) to set His government in place and establish His Kingdom. We are to enforce the law of the Kingdom of God in areas where there isn't, instead of hiding inside the four walls building ministry laws that only work within the church ministries, but ineffective in making an impact in the world. If the church is not continuing with His government, it becomes hell on earth. This church-bound mindset can be traced back to the Roman empire under Constantine. It’s called religion. Unfortunately, many are still stuck there with no revelation on the Kingdom of God and it’s purpose.

With this big idea of government (rule and dominion) in mind, we will look at the overall picture of exousia (delegated authority) that God has intended for believers in the next part, before we talk about the earthly exousia in the earthly governing bodies.

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience --- Part 1

Romans 13: Subjection Does Not Mean Total Obedience --- Part 1

Since the s̵c̵a̵m̵d̵e̵m̵i̵c̵ pandemic was provided with a one-world-one-way solution, Romans 13 has become a popular debate among believers. I have been reading and studying on this subject more deeply so that I can understand better how I should respond to the governing bodies.

Let every person be 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 to the governing 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. For there is no 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 except from God, and those that exist have been 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 by God. Therefore whoever resists the 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 resists 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝, and those who resist will incur judgment. - Rom 13:1-2

The word 'subject' in Greek means 'under God's arrangement'. In other words, it is to put oneself under God's arrangement, and in this context, the governing authorities. It is to yield to one's advice, which may or may not necessarily mean total obedience.

The word 'authority' and 'authorities' is the word 'exousia', which means 'delegated empowerment for moral authority' in this context.

The word 'institute' means 'to set in place' and the word 'appointed' means 'God's ordinance'.

It is important to note that the phrase '𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝' is used, instead of 'who God has appointed'. In the Greek, it refers to the exousia (authority), which is God's ordinance.

In other words, while the position of governing authority is set in place by God as His ordinance on earth, the leaders in that governing position are not necessarily chosen by Him. Remember: 𝐘𝐨𝐮 (𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞) 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬. Read the book of Kings and you will know that people chose to have their own kings, not God. For the Scriptures cannot be broken. God does not always have His will done when it comes to the appointment of the leader.

Why is knowing this important? It prevents abuse. I have church leaders who told me that the leaders (cellgroup leaders, ministry leaders, etc.) in position are ordained by God and they are the Lord's anointed. That's not biblical. In the New Covenant, only Christ is the Anointed One, and if He is in you, you are anointed as sons and daughters. Anointing is a position of sonship, not leadership.

Yes, God has ordained the idea of leadership. But we must separate leadership from the leaders, because the idea of leadership is of God, but the leaders may not be of God, even if it's a church leader.

Similarly, the governing authority has been set in place by God as His ordinance on earth, but the leaders may or may not be of God.

With this in mind, you will have a clear foundation on why God wants us to be subjected to the governing authorities (exousia), because it has nothing to do with evil or good rulers. What we are submitting to is the earthly exousia, so that we cannot be led by emotions when we look at the ungodly leaders.

In the next part, we will continue to go deeper.

Son’s First Inspired Sermon

As I was preparing a message this week, J came to me halfway through his Bible writing and said, “Papa, I want to write a worship song (influenced by Awaken Gen) and also a sermon like you.”

He first wrote a worship song in the afternoon and sang it to me. And he got me to sing with him.

Then, as I was out last night, he wrote a sermon (his own mini-version) and started preaching to his mum during bedtime and talked about various Bible stories with her.

Here is his own mini-sermon (page 1 of 2), of which I am very proud of 😬😬😬😘 Jesus!