Put on the Armor of Light – Surrendering to the Father

Hello friends and welcome back to The Book of Romans Series. Today we are exploring chapter thirteen. Yesterday we talked about how we should not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good and that we should not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. 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. For the one in authority is Go’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do nor bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. (Verses 1-5)

We are God’s children, so we are meant to submit to His authority in the same way that a child submits to their father’s authority. (at least the way they should) Here on earth we might think ourselves feel bigger and better, but God is ultimately our creator. And when you create something it is yours unless you give it away. So, while we are on this earth, we are merely creation and belong to God. After this life some of us will still belong to the creator and some of us will not.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe them; if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor then honor. (Verses 6 & 7)

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Verses 8-10)

When you love your neighbors, there is no desire to commit evil against them. So, if you focus all your attention and actions on love, then goodness will follow suit. Its just love! Again, if we think of our relationship with God as Father and child, then we are all spiritual siblings. We are all flesh and blood so the statement “My own flesh and blood.” can arguably pertain to all your brothers and sisters in Christ. Treat strangers like family.

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is never now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness. Not in sexual immorality and debaucher, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (Verses 11-14)

I love this: Let us put aside the deeds of the darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently.

Why is it so hard for us to behave decently? Again, just as I said in the last blog, God isn’t asking us to jump through hoops. He is only asking for us to love each other and act like a decent human being. But because our sinful nature it is impossible for us to do. Religion, if you want to call it that, isn’t hard. Believing in the Father and obeying Him isn’t difficult. Like they say, “It takes more effort to frown then to smile.”

It takes more effort to be mean to each other than it does to just be pleasant. Why is this such a complicated task for the world to do? Why are people going and rioting and burning down buildings and shooting people based on the color of their skin? Why does skin color even matter in the grand scheme of things? Why are we so focused on the color of the flesh when the flesh isn’t what gets us to heaven?! Can’t you see, God loves us and is only asking us to do the same.

God isn’t a rule book.

God isn’t asking a lot out of you.

God isn’t only wrath.

The only reason God has wrath is because we act ridiculous! We are fools! Why is ‘religion’ getting less and less common? And people say, “Well, I’m just not religious.” ‘Religion’ isn’t a box on a piece of paper for you to check yes or no. It is the very reason for our existence!

I don’t like to call it religion. I just call in being head over heels in love with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That’s what it is to me. It’s just love.

I love you guys. I sincerely hope that you find something to smile about today. God is good, let it raise the corners of your mouth. Let is penetrate your heart. Today I am keeping it simple, I surrender to the Father. To His love, faithfulness, and goodness.