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He's Not My
President
Romans Chapter 13
Debra
J.M. Smith - 03/18/09 www.InformingChristians.com
It
is widely accepted that Romans chapter 13 is saying
every person who has ever been in, what we call, "power," was
put there by God, even the wicked. Until recently, I too
held this belief. I figured that there was just something that
I was not fully understanding.
Well, there sure
was something that I was not fully understanding, like the
entire meaning of the text. Fact is, God does not put the
wicked into office.
Scripture says, (2 Samuel) He
that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
Scripture also says, (Hosea)
They
have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and
I knew it not.
These excerpts from scripture
show that a person who rules over men must be just and ruling
in the fear of God, and that some kings are not put there
by God.
Scripture will never contradict scripture. So
with this in mind let's read through the first four verses in
Romans chapter 13. Let's also keep something else in mind.
Let's remember that sometimes scripture speaks in a
matter-a-fact manner. In other words, sometimes the Lord's
word is simply telling it, like it
is.
Romans 13
1Let every soul be subject unto the
higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers
that be are ordained of God.
Yes, we are to
be subject unto the higher powers. But just who are those
"higher powers?" Verse one says that there is no power
but of God, the powers-that-be are ordained of God. Do you see
it?
Any real power-that-be is of God and ordained of
God. What does this say about all others who technically hold
office? It says that they are not true powers because
true powers are of and ordained by
God.
2Whosoever therefore resisteth the
power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist
shall receive to themselves damnation.
Those
who resist the true powers-that-be are not of God. They resist
the ordinance of God, and as a result, resist the true
powers-that-be. They receive to themselves damnation because
they are not of God. Hence, these are the people who seek to
put into leadership, a man of the world. Remember,
the world receives and loves its
own.
3For 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:
True powers-that-be, true rulers,
are not a terror to good works. Instead true rulers who are of
God are terrors to the evil in this world. True rulers will
seek to put an end to evil works, not to good
works.
4For he is the minister of God to thee
for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God,
a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth
evil.
There are men, then there are REAL men.
There are rulers, then there are REAL rulers! And a REAL ruler
is a minister of God to those under him (the ruler).
A
real ruler will seek to teach people to do good, not evil. And
while we are under such a true ruler, we should be afraid to
do evil. This is because a leader has the ability to punish.
(Note: This is not saying that a leader can take his own
vengeance on criminals and kill them. Scripture says that
vengeance belongs to the Lord.)
However,
a wicked leader punishes good and rewards evil. A wicked
leader actually teaches, ministers wickedness instead of
godliness.
Obama may reside in the White House.
His place of employment may be the Oval Office. But, he is not
my president.
When Bill Clinton got into
office, I recall saying, "It is as if we don't have a
president." Little did I know just how true that statement
was. So, now I say about Obama having gotten into office, "We
don't have a president."
Debra J.M.
Smith
© Copyright 2009 Debra J.M.
Smith |
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