WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
Scripture: Romans 13:2, 2 Peter 2:18-25

In Romans 13:2-4 we are told, “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Now we discover here that spiritual exousia and natural exousia are different. Whoever resists the spiritual authority resists the ordinances of God and whoever resists will bring judgment on themselves. The police, the military and the judges are natural authority. They are appointed and they have an important function in society in keeping and maintaining order. The Bible says if we resist them we will bring judgment on ourselves. That assumes government is obeying God. What about government that legislates evil against God. If they aren’t operating in righteousness, we are directed to go (to prayer) with God against them and against their evil edicts. As Christians we are not obligated to support and bow to unrighteous government. We have a command to resist it as the early church did. The book of Acts is full of occasions when the disciples actively resisted government. When rulers rule in righteousness then they are ruling for God. When they depart from God’s righteousness and start to dictate unrighteousness, then it is our obligation to pray them into the judgment of God. In 1 Peter 2:18-25 we learn that Jesus suffered wrongfully yet committed Himself to God Who judges righteously and God reversed the death sentence with resurrection. History records the horrors of 70 AD as the judgments Jesus prophesied manifested against Jerusalem! The Kingdom of God triumphed over the Jews and the Romans! There is only One God and Jesus the pattern Son Who rule history. The Father and Son will bring many sons to glory in the last great harvest! Time is short. Let’s make it count!