Our sermon yesterday was taken from Romans 13:1 - 5. Very timely.

"Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow."

verse 1 & 2
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As the minister said, "Pray for our leaders at all levels of government, whether you voted for him or her or not." The only exception is if it goes against God's laws which are higher still. (i.d. Daniel who got tossed into the lions den for continuing to pray to His God.)

Sometimes we look around at some countries and wonder how that leader could be 'placed in power by God'. But He is God and we aren't!

"For the policeman does not frighten people who are doing right; but those doing evil will always fear him. So if you don't want to be afraid, keep the laws and you will get along well. The policeman is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course, you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is sent by God for that very purpose."

verses 3 & 4

Bible Commentary on those couple of verses:  "When the police are unjust good people are afraid. In this verse, Paul (writer) is talking about police who are doing their duty. When the police are just, people who are doing right have nothing to fear."

"Obey the laws, then, for two reasons,
first, to keep from being punished,
and second, just because you know you should."

verse 5 (all from LAB)

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