8/3/13

From Gary... As I see it...

Nice bug!!!

Up close and personal it looks like something from another planet. What really caught my attention was the EYES. They are probably COMPOUND EYES and the thought of seeing in a compound way, is a very strange concept to me. While I know that others sometimes do not see things as I do, often there are very good reasons why they don't. In matters of religion, sometimes people just do not understand- and here is one example of Jesus' explanation for this...

Matthew, Chapter 13

1 On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. 2 Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach. 3 He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. 6 When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

10 The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

11 He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. 12 For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says,

‘By hearing you will hear,

and will in no way understand;

Seeing you will see,

and will in no way perceive:

15 for this people’s heart has grown callous,

their ears are dull of hearing,

they have closed their eyes;

or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their heart,

and should turn again;

and I would heal them.’

16 “But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. 17 For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.

18 “Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. 19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. 20 What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”

The human heart is the problem. An open heart is required for genuine comprehension of spiritual matters. Also, a common source of authority is required. That source should be the Bible and NOT, neighbors, friends, relatives or religious leaders. An open heart AND an open Bible could do wonders to remove religious division among those who claim to follow Jesus. I can only wonder what that bug in the picture really sees, but with God's help, I will understand spiritual truth with a good attitude. Remember, "As I see it" can be very dangerous- so be sure to back up what you believe with Book, Chapter and Verse (in proper context, of course).

PS. And try to be patient with others (this is more for me than for you) when they don't understand; even the apostles needed to have things explained to them at times.

From Jim McGuiggan... BAAL? WHO'S THAT?

BAAL? WHO'S THAT?

“I have seven thousand that have not yet bowed the knee to Baal!” God said that to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:18. Chapters 18 and 19 need to be read together to get the full picture of the events and the period connected with this word from God.

What really was it the gallant seven thousand had not bowed the knee to?

Baal was a nature God, a god of agriculture and prosperity. The story was that he made the fields and flocks and herds and families fruitful; he was to be thanked for the rain and the sun, flax, wool and crops that brought prosperity, contentment and happiness. That made him popular with Canaanites in general and it took on a Phoenician version promoted by the charismatic and dangerous Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon and wife of Ahab, king of Israel.

There was an added appeal to Baal worship. It’s said that it was when he and his consort, Asherah, had sex that prosperity flowed over the land, so those who had their eyes fixed firmly on prosperity and happiness saw to it that Baal had a rip-roaring sex life. One of the ways to do that was to have organized orgies as part of their worship and this would inflame Baal and his lover. Well, there might be no need to see the worship as wildly orgiastic; putting its "best" face on it, it may well have been very formal even if passionate. But if it wasn’t out of control during worship it would be naïve of us not to expect that such worship would spill over into behavior outside the church buildings (see Numbers 25, especially 1-9 for some sense of things in this regard).

Still, the central thrust of the worship was about getting! About getting whatever it was that made for a "happy life". The reign of that god was not about promoting righteousness and the worship of that god was not about living in righteousness—it was about prospering and finding full satisfaction in all aspects of living. (Hmmm, the names of other gods spring to mind. Names like, "Consumer" and "Capitalism" and "Free Market". I wonder if they are just other names for Baal?)

There is such a thing as formal idolatry of course but Paul made no bones about it, greed or covetousness is idolatry also (Colossians 3:5). Whatever drives us, whatever we become obsessed with, whatever we look to as the cure for all our ills—that’s god! There’s no need to literally bow the knee to an image if we ceaselessly hunger without apology after what the image stands for.

Man does not live by bread alone and while that means that we live when and because God says so (see the text, Deuteronomy 8:3) it doesn’t mean that Man doesn’t need food and other basics to sustain him. “Greed” is hard to define though we’re all sure that we can spot it in its most flagrant forms.

If we were destitute and starving no one would be surprised at all if we had nothing on our minds but food. How could that be surprising? People financially, socially or emotionally crushed—it makes sense that they would be focusing on easing their pain or securing what they are in dire need of. Who is so smugly religious as to rebuke people that needy?

Part of the cure for such people is for those of us who can to involve ourselves in easing their burdens but to spend our time and giftedness in urging people to think that the pursuit of getting is the sure way to make God and us smile—there’s something of Baal worship in that!

And when we see a preacher of health and wealth, dressed in the finest and speaking to huge assemblies of people dressed in the finest urging them to look for and expect more the stink of rottenness fills the air. (These people make the worst face of the "Free Market" look almost beautiful.)

It doesn’t appear to be enough to have what is good and needed, we must have more and better. If we have a good marriage it must be made fabulous, if thankfully we have a pleasurable sex-life it must be made wilder and more passionate, if we have good health we’re urged to fine-tune it to perfection or as close as possible. We should, you see, it’s our right and we must have our rights. God wants us to be happy. No, not just happy, deliriously happy! Not just sexually fulfilled most of the time, but always and to the nth degree. Not just pleased with nutritious, pleasant-tasting food nicely served up but gourmet meals with ceaseless variation—the way the hundreds of cooking shows on television parade it.

The issue isn’t hunger and pleasure—it’s greed. To speak to the hungry about food makes sense but to speak constantly to the well-fed about more and better and the exotic breeds discontent, waste and obsession. To speak to the sexually repressed in an attempt to ease the pain and bring peace and pleasure in that and in other areas makes sense but to speak to people already sexually glutted is, at best, questionable stewardship or at its worst pimping a nation, when to make a profit on any commodity companies and advertizers promote an obsession with sex.

That’s one of the dangers of the free-market, isn’t it? It knocks other economic theories into a cocked-hat but it generates and then feeds on the consumer spirit and human vulnerability. “If you can get it without cheating there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get it. If there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get it then you should. You have a right and you’re worth it!” YOU'RE WORTH IT! Who can argue with that? And yet…

Somewhere in the middle of all this multitude of voices, whispering and shouting, “Go for it!” there’s a voice that keeps saying, “Seek first the reign of God and his righteousness and what you need will be given to you.”

Jezebel took the eyes of a nation off Yahweh and his righteousness and put them on the god who would give them this and that. They lost sight of their destiny when they lost sight of God and found “nature”. They became empty bellies and people (as Lewis would put it), all head and pelvic region but no chest. Matthew Arnold said something of such a world:

"On that hard Pagan world disgust

And secret loathing fell.

Deep weariness and sated lust

Made human life a hell.

"In his cool hall, with haggard eyes,

The Roman noble lay;

He drove abroad, in furious guise,

Along the Appian way.

"He made a feast, drank fierce and fast,

And crown'd his hair with flowers—

No easier nor no quicker pass'd

The impracticable hours.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... ANOTHER WHACK AT THE BOOZE INDUSTRY

ANOTHER WHACK AT THE BOOZE INDUSTRY

Well, finally! The British Medical Association finally uttered the unutterable though they had been thinking the unthinkable for quite a while. The BBC news a while back announced that the BMA wants the government to ban booze commercials and ban bargain prices on booze (like three bottles for the price of two and such offers). They can’t stay silent any longer with the figures of teenage drinkers climbing (fifteen year-old girls in the lead) and older people boozing more at home, illness and crime soaring in connection with the rot-gut. [You rarely see anyone smoke now in the major “Soaps” in the UK but booze is there for about half the thirty minute show. The actors are either drinking in bars or at home all that time.]

Many believers cluck their tongues and shake their heads at cocaine, heroin, marijuana, amphetamines and the other drugs but the most abused drug in the world, certainly the Western world, has been and continues to be and will continue to be—booze.

The industry is an enemy of all that believers are for and a support to all that believers are against. One day we’ll all come to know that and we’ll regret every word we spoke in its favor.

The question is not “Will I go to hell for drinking a beer now and then?” The question is not, “Should we make social drinking a test of fellowship and salvation?” I don’t know that I ever believed an occasional drink damned anyone—not even when I was a kid and we thought going to the movies was a sin and smoking was “a poor witness” for Christ.

The track record of this industry and the damage it does to individuals, families, cities and nations can’t be fathomed. To look at that damning and damnable industry, claim Jesus made alcoholic wine in John 2 and say therefore “there’s nothing wrong with the booze business” is a blunder of great magnitude.

“A beer now and then doesn’t bother me. Jesus was no teetotaler!” Then a shrug, a grin and down goes another beer (or maybe a whiskey or...). Attaboy! Show them how free they are.

So what should we do? I don’t know how to deal with the booze plague but I can’t forget what was done to the tobacco industry. [Who’d have thought it twenty years ago?] I don’t know what a government should do but I’m satisfied I know what believers should do! Brand the industry for what it is! A parasite and a predator.

A poor soul once told me that ethanol is a substance and a substance can’t be evil. I don’t believe I ever thought a substance could be; not even heroin or cyanide, cocaine or the stuff that constitutes a dirty bomb.

“People don’t have to drink it!”

That’s true and they don’t have to watch hard-core porn either but the government believes in some level of censorship.I'm sure this is spittin' in the wind.

Still, there’s something mysterious about having to persuade believers to acknowledge that the booze industry is a slithering slimy parasite.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... A Prayer in the Dark

A Prayer in the Dark

There are those who believe that the "wrath of God" has nothing to do with how God feels within himself—it isn't a divine experience but simply a divine decision to allow the inevitable consequences of sin to follow. I tend strongly to believe that it is a divine experience that leads to a divine response. I think God's wrath is his love taking the form of chastisement; much as a loving parent is affected by unacceptable behaviour in a child and moves to express love in some form of chastisement. Chastisement is never lovelessness; it is the form love takes, a way love chooses to express itself under the right circumstances. Sometimes that means the parent will choose to allow the child to endure the inevitable consequences of his actions—that too is chastisement; that too is the expression of "wrath" but it is only one expression of wrath and not the entire story.

In any case, that's not what I want to say in this piece. I want to share with you the thoughts of G.K Chesterton that he expressed in his poem: A Prayer in the Dark. I'm sure I haven't got the depth of it but the general drift seems fairly clear (I'm open to correction on that). Robert Browning and Chesterton had much in common but they certainly had this in common: their gallant and optimistic view of life; their willingness to take life as it came and their refusal to let their trouble and dark times obliterate the sun or turn the entire world sour! They didn't allow the hours to obliterate the years and they wouldn't allow their own hurt to make them peevish about the good fortune of others. They believed fervently that those who moaned all the time were telling truth about life in this world but they believed just as fervently that the truthful moaners weren't seeing or telling all the truth.

Chesterton was glad that his dark times—times he sometimes thought were times of wrath ("If I must travail in a night of wrath")—he was glad his own dark night had no power to dim the stars or make life harder for a moth and that no curse of his had the power to wither a flower. He embraced the trouble as his own and wouldn't believe that because he was in the dark that the entireworld should be in darkness. There is great strength and balance here but strength and balance don't appear alone—they're part of a grander character and make-up. Chesterton was cheerful, friendly, open, and had the capacity to enjoy his food [when he wasn't spilling it all over himself while he passionately engaged in conversation with his friends] and all the other pleasantries of life. In short, Chesterton wouldn't allow life to make him blind as well as bitter or spiteful.

He was able to take pleasure in the good fortune of others even while he was in a dark night, travailing in a night of wrath. He didn't want God to make their lives miserable because he was in misery. If things had got so bad that he murdered himself he would still want God to take care of the grass on his grave and he (so to speak) gave God permission to ignore his own whining and to get on with feeding the world ("pity me not; but let the world be fed"). If in his life he snarled and begged he asked God to help him recognise in the fruitful seasons and the blessings of the world that God was indeed ignoring his whimpering (he calls that "the shining silence of the scorn of God") and blessing others. The Londoner had learned when everyone was saying the sun was darkened that it was shining brightly.

This is gallant living indeed and Chesterton learned it from the most gallant of us all—Jesus! Jesus, who knew that the hopes of humanity rested in him, while hanging on the torture tree sharing the wrath of God with his sinful family, feeling it as no other human could feel it, was still saying (Acts 2:25-28):

"I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence."

Chesterton puts it in his own wonderful way; in Jesus' night of darkness he could still hear "all the crickets sing" and smile. Is that not life? It is!

This much, O heaven—if I should brood or rave,

Pity me not; but let the world be fed,
Yea, in my madness if I strike me dead,
Heed you the grass that grows upon my grave.
If I dare snarl between this sun and sod,
Whimper and clamour, give me grace to own,
In sun and rain and fruit in season shown,
The shining silence of the scorn of God.
Thank God the stars are set beyond my power,
If I must travail in a night of wrath,
Thank God my tears will never vex a moth,
Nor any curse of mine cut down a flower.
Men say the sun was darkened: yet I had
Thought it beat brightly, even on—Calvary:
And He that hung upon the Torturing Tree
Heard all the crickets singing, and was glad.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Bill Dayton... The Path of Least Resistance!

The Path of Least Resistance!

The path of least resistance. "The path of least resistance describes the physical or metaphorical pathway that provides the least resistance to forward motion by a given object or entity, among a set of alternative paths." Wikipedia. Andrew

When it comes to the way we choose to live our lives, perhaps we could simply say that the path of least resistance is the easy way out. There is no challenge, no effort on our part.

When we look at God's Word we see passages like Jeremiah 10:23. "Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps."

Proverbs 14:12: There is a way that seems right unto men, but its end leads to death."

There are many more warnings we could find, but despite them all many today take the path of least resistance when it come to living according to God's way. Matthew 7:13,14 tells us that there are two roads, one is easy (least resistant) that leads to destruction, one is difficult that leads to heaven.

Even though God's way is challenging, it is most rewarding. We are to walk by faith not sight (2Cor.5:7). When we walk by faith, we TRUST God to direct our path. His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105. One of the greatest legacies to leave for our children is to be known as one who walked with God. Have a GREAT day!

From Mark Copeland... Indebted To Love (Romans 13:8-10)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

                       Indebted To Love (13:8-10)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our duty to government, Paul commanded to pay what is due (taxes
   and customs, fear and honor - cf. Ro 13:7

2. He then proceeded to discuss our duty to our fellow man (to owe no
   one anything, except to love one another) - cf. Ro 13:8

3. This does not forbid borrowing where contract obligations are met...
   a. Otherwise Jesus would not have permitted borrowing - cf. Mt 5:42
   b. Certainly debts should be paid - cf. Ps 37:21

4. This appears to be a use of the comparative "not"...
   a. Where "not" is not used as a literal prohibition
   b. But to compare one thing to another (not this..but this)
   c. For example, look at Jn 6:27
      1) Did Jesus condemn working for food?
      2) No, He was emphasizing what is most important

5. The point is this:  we owe a debt to always love one another...
   a. "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to
      love one another" (NIV)
   b. "Leave no debt unpaid except the standing debt of mutual love"
      (Weymouth)

[Thus Christians should always feel "Indebted To Love".  As to reasons
why, consider...]

I. WHY WE OWE THE DEBT

   A. IT FULFILLS THE LAW OF MOSES...
      1. Jewish Christians were slow to give up the Law - e.g., Ac 21:
         20ff
      2. Some tried to bind elements of the Law on Gentiles - e.g., Ac 15:1,5
      3. The apostles (and Holy Spirit) withstood such efforts - cf.

         Ac 15:28; Ga 5:1-4; Ro 7:4-6
      4. The command to love fulfilled much of the Law - Ro 13:8-10
      -- Jewish Christians could take comfort in knowing that keeping
         the command to love one another fulfilled the Law

   B. IT FULFILLS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST...
      1. Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment - Jn 13:34,35; 15:12
         a. To love one another
         b. As He loved us
      2. The gospel reveals that God is love, and love is of God  - 1Jn 4:7-11
         a. Those who love are born of God and know Him
         b. God loved us, and so we ought to love another
      -- As disciples of Christ, it is only natural that we emulate the
         love shown us

[For such reasons, we "ought" (indebted) to love one another.  How can
we pay this "debt"...?]

II. HOW WE PAY THE DEBT

   A. THROUGH IMITATING JESUS...
      1. Jesus sets the standard - Jn 13:34; 15:12
         a. We are to love as He loved us
         b. This raises the quality of love (compared to loving one as
            yourself)
      2. Jesus sets a high standard - Jn 15:13; 1Jn 3:16-18
         a. By laying down His life for His friends
         b. We also ought to lay down our life for the brethren
      -- In principle, the example of Jesus illustrates how we pay the
         debt we owe

   B. THROUGH ACTIVE GOOD WILL...
      1. Paul defined true love - 1Co 13:4-8
         a. Defined by what it does
            1) Suffers long and is kind, rejoices in the truth
            2) Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
               endures all things
         b. Defined by what it does not do
            1) Does not envy; does not parade itself, is not puffed up
            2) Does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not
               provoked, thinks no evil
            3) Does not rejoice in iniquity, and never fails
      2. We can pay on the debt by treating one another in this way
         a. Be patient and kind; rejoicing in what is truth
         b. Forbearing with one another, believing and hoping for the
            best in one another
         c. Free from envy, arrogance, pride, and selfish interests
         d. Thinking no evil of a brother, and grieved when seeing one
            transgress
         e. Never failing to love as Christ loved us
      -- In practice, Paul's description provides guidance on how we pay
         the debt we owe

CONCLUSION

1. The debt we owe can never be fully paid...
   a. For we are to love one another as Christ loved us
   b. Yet His love "passes knowledge" - cf. Ep 3:19

2. Thus we should always feel an indebtedness...
   a. To increase in love - cf. 1Th 4:9-10
   b. To abound in love still more and more - cf. Php 1:9

In this way we can "approve the things that are excellent" and "be
sincere and without offense till the day of Christ." (Php 1:10).  Is this
not sufficient motivation to be "Indebted To Love"...?

From Mark Copeland... The Christian's Duty To Government (Romans 13:1-7)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

              The Christian's Duty To Government (13:1-7)

INTRODUCTION

1. Christians are blessed to be citizens of a heavenly kingdom...
   a. Our citizenship is in heaven - Php 3:20
   b. We have been conveyed into the kingdom of God's dear Son - Co
      1:13; Re 1:9
   -- As such, we are described as "sojourners and pilgrims" in this
      world - 1Pe 2:11

2. As "pilgrims", we live and work under the governments of men...
   a. With a variety of political systems:  democracies, kingdoms,
      dictatorships, etc.
   b. Offering varying degrees of freedom, responsibilities, etc.
   -- What is our duty to such governments?

3. The Lord's church began and thrived during the Roman Empire...
   a. To Christians in the capital city of Rome, Paul wrote of their
      responsibility
   b. To Christians dispersed in outlying areas of the Empire, Peter did
      also
   -- The Christian's duty to government is made very clear by the
      apostles

[Using Paul's comments in Ro 13:1-7 as our starting point, let's review
what our duties are...]

I. BE SUBJECT

   A. THE RULE...
      1. Stressed twice by Paul
         a. "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities"
            - Ro 13:1
         b. "Therefore you must be subject..." - Ro 13:5
      2. Peter likewise taught this duty - 1Pe 2:13-14
         a. "Therefore submit yourselves..."
            1) Submit means "be subject to"
            2) Signifying "to place one's self under subjection; to
               render one's self subordinate"
         b. We are to submit "to every ordinance of man"
            1) The word "ordinance" literally means "a creation"
            2) The Greeks and Romans described the appointment of
               officers as the "creation" of them
            3) Thus the expression "ordinance" actually refers:
               a) Not to a particular law passed by government
               b) But to the civil government or institution itself
               c) Cf. "to every human institution" (NASB, NRSV)
            4) Note that we are to submit to every human institution
               (whether it be a monarchy, democracy, totalitarian state,
               etc.)
      -- Our responsibility is clear:  "Let every soul be subject" - Ro 13:1

   B. THE REASON...
      1. Governing authorities that exist have been appointed by God!
         - Ro 13:1
         a. As emphasized in the book of Daniel - Dan 2:20-21; 4:17,25a,
            32a
         b. Even those that are evil, which God often uses for His
            divine purposes and then replaces - cf. Exo 9:16 (Egypt);
            Isa 10:5-12 (Assyria)
      2. Therefore to resist government means to resist God Himself!
         - Ro 13:2-4
         a. To resist is to bring judgment upon one's self
         b. For government is a minister of God, designed to avenge evil
      3. Peter adds two good reasons - 1Pe 2:15
         a. First and foremost, "this is the will of God"
            1) Cf. also, "for the Lord's sake" - 1Pe 2:13
            2) This will suffice for all true servants of God
         b. That we may "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men"
            1) Because of their allegiance to a heavenly king,
               Christians are often falsely accused of sedition or
               treason - e.g., Ac 17:5-8
            2) By doing good (e.g., by submitting), we can "silence"
               (lit., muzzle) ignorant charges
      -- To avoid wrath and have a good conscience, "you must be subject"
         - Ro 13:5

   C. THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE...
      1. It is not whenever government is oppressive
         a. Consider the government and conditions when Paul and Peter
            wrote
         b. The government was totalitarian, under Nero's evil and
            despotic rule as emperor
         c. Under Nero's reign, Christians suffered greatly - cf.

            1 Pe 4:12-13; 5:8-9
         d. Paul and Peter were eventually martyred
      2. The only exception:  we must obey God rather than man!
         a. As illustrated by Peter and the apostles - Ac 4:18-20; 5:
            27-29
         b. When government tries to force us to disobey God, we must
            disobey the government
         c. Even then, we may break only the particular law designed to
            force disobedience to God
         d. We have no authority to break other laws in protest to the
            unjust law
      -- When government seeks to stifle our service to God, we must
         obey God rather than man!

[As we return to our text, we note additional duties to government...]

II. PAY WHAT IS DUE

   A. WE ARE TO PAY TAXES...
      1. As an act of submission we should pay our taxes - Ro 13:6
      2. Also other fees that are due, such as customs - Ro 13:7
      -- We may not approve of how the taxes are spent, but I doubt the
         early Christians approved of how Nero spent the government's
         money either

   B. WE ARE TO PAY RESPECT...
      1. Fear to whom fear is due - Ro 13:7
         a. Such as police officers, judges
         b. And if you do evil, be afraid! - Ro 13:4
      2. Honor to whom honor is due - Ro 13:7; cf. 1Pe 2:17
         a. Such as presidents, kings, governors, local leaders
         b. Out of respect for the office, if not for the man (or woman)
      -- Our duty is not limited to those whose political or personal
         behavior we approve

[Before we end our study, we should certainly note another duty to
government that is ours...]

III. PRAY

   A. FOR KINGS AND ALL IN AUTHORITY...
      1. We are to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions - 1Ti 2:
         1-2
         a. Praying for those who lead, not only our country, but those
            around the world
         b. Praying that they rule with wisdom, righteousness, and mercy
      2. We are to offer thanks - 1Ti 2:1-2
         a. Taking time to thank God for those who rule well
         b. Thanking God for when we live in peace and prosperity, and
            for protecting us when we do not
      -- An invaluable contribution Christians can give their country
         are their prayers

   B. THAT WE MIGHT LEAD GOOD LIVES...
      1. Good in a material sense, to enjoy quiet and peaceful times
         - cf. 1Th 4:11; He 12:14a
      2. Good in a spiritual sense, free to be godly and reverent - cf.
         He 12:14b
      -- As God works through the governments of men to bestow peace,
         prayer should be a priority for those who wish to live in peace

CONCLUSION

1. The duties placed on Christians toward their earthly governments are
   clear and simple...
   a. Be subject to governing authorities
   b. Pay what is due in taxes and respect
   c. Pray for all those in positions of authority

2. Beyond this, our involvement in the affairs of government may fall
   into the realm of judgment...
   a. Should we enter politics, serve in law enforcement, enlist in the
      military?
   b. Such questions have been debated by Christians for centuries
   -- One thing is clear, we must obey God rather than man, and avoid
      becoming entangled with the affairs of this life to the neglect of
      our service to God (2Ti 2:4)

As a Christian, are you faithfully fulfilling your duty to earthly
government, while sojourning as a citizen of a heavenly kingdom...?

From Mark Copeland... Responding To Evil (Romans 12:17-21)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

                     Responding To Evil (12:17-21)

INTRODUCTION

1. The twelfth chapter of Romans has much to say about what is expected
   of Christians...
   a. In general terms - Ro 12:1-2
      1) They are to present themselves as living sacrifices to God
      2) They are not to be conformed to this world
      3) They are to be transformed by the renewing of their minds
      4) They are to prove what is God's good, acceptable, and perfect
         will
   b. In more specific terms - Ro 12:3-16
      1) They are to fulfill their function in the body of Christ - Ro 12:3-8
      2) They are to love without hypocrisy, abhorring what is evil - Ro 12:9
      3) They are to love brethren as family, esteeming one another
         highly - Ro 12:10
      4) They are to serve the Lord diligently, with fervency of spirit
         - Ro 12:11
      5) They are to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,
         steadfast in prayer - Ro 12:12
      6) They are to share in the needs of saints, pursue hospitality
         toward strangers - Ro 12:13
      7) They are to bless those who persecute them - Ro 12:14
      8) They are to rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those
         who weep - Ro 12:15
      9) They are to be of the same mind, with humility and lowliness of
         mind - Ro 12:16
   -- Such behavior is certainly an indication of a transformation!

2. But perhaps one of the greatest signs of transformation...
   a. Is how one responds to evil
   b. Is how one treats their enemy
   -- Human nature responds in kind, with vengeance; is this how
      Christians are to respond?

3. In our text (Ro 12:17-21), we find what Barnes describes as...
   a. "...probably one of the most difficult precepts of Christianity,
      but the law of Christ on the subject is unyielding."
   b. "It is a solemn demand made on all His followers, and it must be
      obeyed."

[This "difficult precept" pertains to how one reacts when mistreated by
those who are evil...]

I. HOW WE ARE TO RESPOND TO EVIL

   A. REPAY NO ONE EVIL FOR EVIL...
      1. Thus Paul writes in Ro 12:17a and elsewhere - 1Th 5:15
      2. He is not alone in this prohibition
         a. Solomon's counsel in Proverbs - Pr 20:22
         b. Jesus' teaching in the sermon on the mount - Mt 5:39
         c. Peter's writing in his epistle - 1Pe 3:9
      -- Thus we are prohibited against responding to evil in kind

   B. REPLY TO EVIL WITH GOOD...
      1. Note first what our concern is to be - Ro 12:17b,18
         a. To have regard for good things in the sight of others
         b. To live peaceably with others if at all possible
      2. Therefore, our response to evil is to reply with good - Ro 12:
         20
         a. As the Law of Moses instructed - Exo 23:4-5
         b. As David exemplified in his dealings with King Saul - 1 Sam 24:17
         c. As Solomon counseled, and Paul quoted - Pr 25:21,22
         d. As Jesus taught in His sermon on the mount - Mt 5:38-44
      -- Note carefully that the response is to be one of aggressive
         good will and kindness

[People normally respond differently, depending upon their ability
(e.g., vengeance, self-defense, passive resistance, running away,
helpless victim).  Yet Christians are taught to respond with love.  Why?
Paul explains...]

II. WHY WE ARE TO RESPOND WITH GOOD

   A. VENGEANCE BELONGS TO GOD...
      1. Vengeance is a Divine prerogative - Ro 12:19
         a. He certainly possesses the ability to administer it justly
            - cf. Nah 1:1-8
            1) He is slow to anger
            2) He knows the hearts of men
         b. He has the tools to administer vengeance
            1) E.g., governing authorities - cf. Ro 13:1-4; 1Pe 2:13-14
            2) E.g., giving man up to the depravity of his sins - cf. Ro 1:18-32
            3) E.g., the coming of the Lord in flaming fire - cf. 2 Th 1:7-9
      2. Therefore we are to give place to wrath
         a. The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God
            - Jm 1:19-20
         b. The wrath of man is more often a work of the flesh - Ga 5:
            19-21; Ep 4:31; Col 3:8
      -- It is a mistake to presume that every example of Divine conduct
         means we can do the same!

   B. VICTORY OVER EVIL IS MORE LIKELY...
      1. Our goal is to overcome evil - Ro 12:21
      2. How can we best hope to overcome evil and change the evil
         person?
         a. If we react as:
            1) Avenger, defender or passive resister
            2) We only convince the opposition that might makes right
         b. If we react as:
            1) Runner or helpless
            2) We may only confirm the opposition's view that we are
               cowardly or weak
      3. The most likely way to both overcome evil and change the evil
         person is by reacting with active good will!
         a. Is this not how God sought to change the world? -

            Ro 5:8; Jn 3:16; Ro 2:4
         b. Is this not how Jesus sought to change the world? - 1Pe 2:
            21-25
      4. Certainly Jesus' example demonstrates a better way to handle
         conflict and evil...
         a. His humility and sacrificial love has motivated many to turn
            from sin
         b. And we are called to walk in His steps!
      5. Those who do follow Jesus' example often make a powerful impact
         on others:
            Kim Joon-gon has seen 2,000 out of 20,000 people on Chunnam
         Island murdered by the Communists.  They dragged his family to
         a spot where 160 people from two villages had gathered to beat
         the Christians.  There Kim's father and wife were beaten to
         death and Kim was left for dead.  When he revived and sought
         safety at an acquaintance's house, he was turned over to the
         Communists.  Only the sudden appearance of an American ship off
         the island coast saved him this time, for the Communist
         soldiers hurried away to battle.
            He hid out in the countryside until the South Korean army
         captured the island.  The Communists who had killed his wife
         and father were arrested.  Because it was wartime, the police
         chief had authority to execute without trial.  But as the chief
         prepared to kill the men, Kim pleaded, 'Spare them.  They were
         forced to kill.'
            The police chief showed great surprise.  'It was your family
         they killed!  Why do you now ask for their lives?'
            Kim replied quietly, 'Because the Lord, whose I am and whom
         I serve, would have me show mercy to them.'
            The Communists were spared execution because of Kim's plea.
         News of his action spread among other Communist supporters in
         the area.  When Kim later ascended a mountain to preach to
         Communists hiding out, he was not killed.  Many of the
         Communists became Christians, and when Kim finally left the
         sland there was a flourishing church of 108 members.
                               - Dictionary Of Illustrations, p. 188

CONCLUSION

1. We may never be called upon to manifest the power of responding to
   evil with good in such a remarkable way, but...
   a. We can begin by how we respond to personal abuses we often receive
      from others
   b. We can react to evil treatment even on a small scale with active
      good will

2. Reacting to evil with good will does not always convert the
   evildoer...
   a. Jesus was crucified on the cross, enduring hostility by sinners
      - He 12:2-3
   b. In such cases we must commit our cause to God, as did Jesus -

      1 Pe 2:21-23; 4:19

3. But there other reasons for responding to evil with good...
   a. To be different than sinners - Lk 6:32-34
   b. To be like our Heavenly Father - Lk 6:35-36
   c. To receive a blessing (more likely to love life and see good days)
      - 1Pe 3:9-12

Do you desire to "love life and see good days"?  Then be transformed by
the renewing of your mind and demonstrate that God's will for responding
to evil is indeed good, acceptable, and perfect...!