Paul Email -12Nov2013- Roman's 13 Words Gone Bad

How you doin? So yesterday God gave me revelation on the word sacrifice. Gave me the knowledge of it's glory, instead of it's corrupted negativity. This morning during Bible study another "bad" word was looked at. It was suggested that the word submission is NOT a "bad" word. It was also suggested that it's for use to work out for ourselves. Romans 13 today.

The 1st heading is "Submission to the Authorities". Verse 1, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." WOW!!!!!!! When God wants to get a point across to me... He does just that. One of the biggest things in my early sobriety was wearing my seat belt. I never once wore my seat belt until God delivered me from addiction. It was the 1st step in submission. So what's the benefit of submission and why has the world corrupted this word. Verse 3, "For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended." COME ON!!!!!!! I love being free. When in captivity, I can remember the grip that fear had on me when I saw anyone of authority. We all know where fear comes from. Verse 5, "Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience." This verse makes me think of the Scripture in Acts where Paul speaks of being in front of God in good conscience. God knows what we do even if people don't. That's a good word. Verse 7, "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." I can't help but to notice that taxes, revenue, respect, and honor is all in the same sentence. I would be more likely to lack integrity and separate taxes and revenue from respect and honor. God has integrity and puts them in the same verse. COME ON!!!!!!! 

The 2nd heading is " Love, for the Day is Near". Interesting how it goes from submission to love. Verse 8, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." WHAT!!!!!!! Now that's a can of worms. Don't forget verse 7. Loving others fulfills the law? I thought not sinning fulfilled the law. Verse 9, "... and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself." All commands can be summed up in one seemingly simple statement. Pastor Spike (there you go Kelly) mentioned something about this on Sunday. For me being in good conscience with god enables me to love myself, which in turn will enable me to love my neighbor. SO GOOD!!!!!!! Submission to the law roots itself in love. COME ON!!!!!!! I feel some preaching coming on. Verse 10, "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." WOW!!!!!!! So simple, but yet I can't get there. What do I do?

Verse 11, "And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." My dad was right when he said "boy... you better wake up". Verses 12-13 clearly tell us what NOT to do. Verses 14, "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." So yet again Jesus does for me what I can't do for myself. Jesus loves me enough for both of us. AWESOME!!!!!!! My Bible's dictionary defines submission this way, "voluntary yielding to another; accountability". Webster's says, "

to stop trying to fight or resist something : to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing

". WOW!!!!!!! Even Webster's knows what's up. I submit to you that we should submit to Jesus today. (Pun intended)

PS   While receiving revelation of these "bad" words in their Spiritual context, I feel my Spiritual health being restored. I love God's favor and understanding!