Jimbo's Jots

This is a hard one! The conversation that is! But there is a reason Paul puts this text in his letter. After all, this baby church was in the heart of it – the Roman Empire that is. So there has got to be a reason why Paul would conclude chapter 12 with:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (v. 20-21)

and in the middle of chapter 13:

“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.” (v. 9-10)

Then we get to these words:

“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.” (13:1)

What makes this discussion so hard is not what Paul is saying, but our response to it. Since I have been alive, there have been 10 sitting Presidents serving the United States of America. Especially rise of social media outlets, the voices of the people regarding our last two presidents has been . . . well, disappointing! You have proponents on both sides of the table who declare their “rightness” about their President.

Here is my political stance on our current President! Ready? I’m gonna follow Jesus on this, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”  . . . and Paul echoes the words of Jesus in Romans 13:1. And to be honest, I don’t care what your stance is or belief is on how our current President is doing or what past Presidents did while in office. Do you respect the office of our governing bodies as God has appointed them? Are you showing Jesus in your life . . . and what you post?

Live a life of love to ALL even if you don’t agree with them.

Be blessed and be a blessing!