Monday, July 13- Romans 13:1-7

1Everyone 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.
-God is really in control. When we think everything is out of control, God is in control. I'm glad God is the one who establishes these authorities.

2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
-Wonder what the people of the day were doing to constitute this kind of message being told to them. Guess there was a lot of animosity towards the Roman government at the time. Even still, the Roman government was to be respected.

3For 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 he will commend you.
-Right will always be right and wrong will be wrong. Within a reasonable form of government doing good will bring you little trouble.

4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
-The laws that the government sets up are to protect its people for the most part. to break these will bring necessary punishment.

5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
-Wisely submitting to authorities where God's law isn't violated is a good thing.

6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
-It's weird to think about government officials as God's servants.

7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
-Simple wisdom in life that will make life simpler.