The renewed mind is in love with GOD and His CHRIST and willingly - lovingly obey rules and regulations

Overview: The apostle urges all and every soul to be subjected to the higher powers that be, and he even brings love into it and then quotes the last table of the Decalogue to do with loving our Neighbours as our selves. He finishes by saying, "cast off the works of darkness" and "Let us walk honestly" and " do not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." [verse 1]
Note: ordained of GOD are the civil authorities to correct and even punish evildoers. Solong as the civil government does not decide to favour one religion over another as was the case during the dark ages in which the church persecuted and murdered dissenters and what she classified as heretics.

"Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." [verse 2]
Note: ordained of GOD is that law and order must be maintained and villains punished. But we have new testament examples that when organized state religion tries to hinder the preaching and distribution of the Word of GOD and its associated witness, we should not be silenced but rather obey GOD instead.

"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [verse 3]
Note: even unconverted Christians should have the common sense to work towards the good of society and report any evil works to the police.

"For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." [verse 4]
Note: minister or rather administerer of GOD.

"Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." [verse 5]
Note: A proper Christian has trained his/her conscience well in the holy Word of GOD and the company he/she keeps will also prevent a falling morally from following JESUS CHRIST.

"For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.." [verse 6]
Note: We now hear this verse often quoted by religious people who are now lobbying the US government trying to force the predicted boycott of revelation ch.13 onto society.

"Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due: custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." [verse 7]
Note: Acts 5:27-29 shows the misuse of power in CHRIST'S day. When confronted with the separation between church and state, JESUS asked for a coin and the question whose face showed on it. It was Caesars, and so our Lord made it clear to give to Caesars only the things that are belonging to civil powers and things to GOD only what belongs to GOD. As we will see in the following verses:

"Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another, has fulfilled the law.[verse 8]
"For this, thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.[verse 9]
Note: why would Paul say that if there be any other commandment when he knew very well that there are another five of the 10 Commandments? He is saying that these 5 commands the government may legislate on, but not the first 5 which belong to GOD. The apostle deals with the commandments that also extend into civil government.

"Love worketh not ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." [verse10]
Note: So is faith [Romans 3:31]

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkedness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying." "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision of the flesh, to fulfil the lust thereof. [verses 11-14]
End of Romans chapter 13

Note: In 1888 Ministers of religion in the USA lobbied to have the Sunday blue law enforced by civil law. The Sunday law bill was defeated. Prof. Alonzo T. Jones, helped defeat the bill on the grounds of Romans chapter 13.----source, National Sunday Law,The Sentinel Library, Number18,Sept.15,1889 ed. read more....

See also commentaries on Romans 7
                                               Romans 14

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Prophecy declares that the time will come in the near future, that the Church will steer or ride the beast again.

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The Church will control the GVT. to enforce the Mark Of The Beast

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A return to the dark ages is on the cards