Romans 13:13-14 // Bright Walking

Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:13-14)

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the Lord's counsel - that will stand. (Proverbs 19:20-21)

Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. (Acts 16:1-2)

There are so many things that can unsettle our faith. I type these texts out myself, and in the third text I mixed up "a certain disciple" with "a certain Jewish woman" garbling the sentence. Because I am typing on a computer I could easily rectify it, not so a handwritten manuscript. For this reason there are places where some manuscripts of the Bible are different from the majority. I believe the main tradition of manuscripts from the Byzantines (Textus Receptus) should be assumed correct unless a compelling case can be made from a majority of manuscripts (Majority Text) and the "oldest" two manuscripts should be regarded with caution (Nestle-Uland) unless you want to undermine divine preservation of Scripture. I mean, if those two manuscripts are the only correct ones, God did a very bad job of revealing them in a timely way, since one of the was discovered in the Vatican in modern times.

I don't think we should dismiss marginal readings offhand, but we should only consider them in light of God's ability to preserve the meaning of Scripture across the ages from a conspiracy-theory level "copying error".

But that's for an academic context. If we want to be transformed into God's image through our reading of Scripture, we must read without such considerations blocking the Word from our hearts. We must read prayerfully with open hearts and minds. There is a context where critical thinking is useful and appropriate, friendship is not one of them. Those who have difficulty trusting, have difficulty forming relationships. Therefore those who approach Scripture, prayer and personal discipline from a reductive, cynical, skeptical direction will have trouble forming a vital connection to God.

Rather let us embrace Scripture, godly impulses and yes, even tradition, choosing not to partake of alcohol without worrying about trace quantities in something or other, choosing not to partake of things forbidden by Scripture or our church communities without being finicky about it. Let's live more and doubt less. Caution has its place, I must be careful where I step. But I cannot live ghost walking. I cannot take half a minute to clear away the leaves and twigs every time I walk. Save the ghost walking for special operations, walk boldly and confidently in the light of manifest goodness and truth.

Romans 13:11-12 // Soldiers of Light

 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. (Romans 13:11-12)

Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. (Proverbs 19:18-19)

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. (Acts 15:40-41)

It's been a little hard to settle on a comment for these verses. The first verse is so often quoted, and it seems to be almost as platitudinous as the way it's used. Our salvation is always nearer than when we first believed, because that's how time works. Or is it saying Jesus is bring salvation sooner than we expected, that's more insightful but not specific. Jesus hasn't come yet, and those who sleep still sleep, so how close was salvation in Paul's day? But of course it is closer now than it was then, so that's... comforting?

But what if we focus on the point of the first verse. It's time for us to rouse ourselves. That's relevant, and still true. The next verse should be quoted more often than the first: the day is at hand, put on the armour of light. We are being called to arms. To long we have sat on our proverbial armchairs wondering idly when Jesus would return, but in every age salvation comes as well as in the last age, and in every age there is a time of darkness and conflict which we must prepare for by putting on the armour of God.

Breastplate, which saves your life from unforeseen  dangers in the worst situations, is righteousness.

Shield, which you actively use as your first line of defence, is faith, we need to use it actively...

Helm, which completes the protection of the shield as your first line of passive defence, against unforeseen dangers, is salvation by grace in Jesus Christ.

Belt, which holds everything together and protects your most sensitive parts and might even save your life, possibly, is truth.

Shoes, which allow you to move quickly but also to stand fast by your fellow soldiers and to win ground for your commander, are an intentional study of how to share the gospel.

Sword, which is small and often underestimated, as much a weapon of defence as attack, but deadly to the enemy in the right hands, is the Holy Spirit and the Word, working in harmony to break spiritual bonds.

We have work to do. A work of discipline and encouragement for those who are ready listeners. This is a great and urgent work. Will you fight for the eternal light?

Romans 13:8-10 // Love is Law

 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, 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. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given will he pay him again. (Proverbs 19:16-17)

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. (Acts 15:37-39)

The law is not usually something that gets compared to love, yet Paul says that the law is ultimately just a carefully enumerated description of love. Paul himself was not a flawless adherent, here in Acts he is documented quarrelling with his mentor and fellow missionary. Rather than conceding to his elder, Paul goes off on his own. Paul will eventually soften in his stance toward Mark, but I'm not aware he ever admitted he was wrong. Just because someone has a people problem doesn't make him lost or useless to God. But we must say with Paul, O wretched man that I am!

Paul did not love perfectly, though when he wanted to, he could show that his human righteousness was more than yours. So don't declare Paul to be a lost cause, praise the Lord that Paul knew he was loved by God despite his faults, and that God can demonstrate his love, even through Paul, or us. 

Romans 13:5 // Creative Constraint

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:5-7)

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. (Proverbs 19:15)

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do. (Acts 15:35-36)

Constraints lead to creativity and conscientiousness. A man I know went to prison and made a decision to better himself. Because of the limitation on his freedom he worked harder and achieved more and having been released is now a highly successful and respected member of society. We can be frustrated when we are being held back, but such a problem can be an opportunity for a solution.

Pray for the Holy Spirit, to transform every situation with divine creativity.

Romans 13:4 // Hand of Justice

 For he is a 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. (Romans 13:4)

A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. Houses and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord. (Proverbs 19:13-14)

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. (Acts 15:32-34)

There is a place for authority. Authority is typified by the father, who must teach his son to be wise and must not train his wife to nag. The father can give advantage in earthly prosperity but only our heavenly Father can give ultimate joy and really ultimate prosperity in those things that money cannot buy and that do not disappear over time.

When the church leadership sent representatives with delegated authority to bring the Gentile congregations into harmony, there was still a necessity for discussion and confirmation. People do not accept the legitimacy of authority without seeing the reason it benefits them.

The core source of legitimacy for authority in the home, the church and in the state, comes from the ability to be God's servant (minister) for ensuring there are consequences. Good consequences for doing good, and less appealing consequences for doing evil. A strong group requires a strong leader who is invested with authority to deal out this justice, and a conscientious membership who are ready to hold the leader to account.

How often we lack all three. We have few strong leaders, especially since we have lost the confidence of a clear moral compass. We leaders have little authority to lead, where the spirit of the age is "let everyone have a good time" and discipline is anathema. Those who maintain their power do so with no regard to the goodwill of the people, believing we are pliable fools who can be duped into anything.

Lord bring justice, and bring it to my heart first and my hand next.

Romans 13:2-3 // Resistance is Fertile

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same: (Romans 13:2-3)

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. (Proverbs 19:11-12)

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. (Acts 15:30-31)

It's been a long time since I last posted here, and such a lot has happened. My previous post emphasized the value of keeping our cool before authorities. This is still true. The last few years have been proof of the need to stay calm in a crisis, and also the reality that the power of government is still very dangerous to resist.

It is clear that Paul is speaking pragmatically, he wants the dew of government favour not the bite of the lion's jaws. Paul has experienced the benefit of working inside the system, when he made his appeal to the central leadership of the church. These leaders were opposed to Paul and the way he did his mission, but he appealed to them humbly and got the approval he needed to carry on.

There is a contrast here with the attitude of many Christians from early times, who were martyred for their faith. Most were lawfully executed by the officers of the law for the crime of failing to demonstrate loyalty to the state, represented by worshipping an idol. Many church leaders today would scoff at such fanatics, unable to discern the separation of church and state and render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. Where would Paul himself fit in here?

Paul was a zealous missionary but also a pragmatist. He wouldn't let a law get in the way of his mission, but he would try his hardest to get around the law or even use it to further his aims. I'm thinking of the time he was thrown in prison and flogged in Phillipi. This was actually illegal, but he didn't tell the officials until they'd already done it. Why not? Perhaps he thought there was something to gain by showing up these corrupt officials, and indeed he planted a church out of this incident.

If rulers are a terror to evil and not to good works, then we should not resist them. But when they do become evil we have some difficult decisions to make. We may be permitted or even obligated to resist, but how? Resistance may not be futile but it is dangerous for the brave people who do it. Nazi Germany has been written about very extensively, and it is a great case study for different types of resistance. I think all these types are morally valid, but that doesn't mean they are equally good:

• Guerilla warfare (French, Polish, Yugoslav Resistance etc)
• Righteous treason (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Alexis von Roenne, Wilhelm Canaris)
• Defection (Albert Einstein etc)
• Merciful compliance (Oskar Schindler)
• Merciful non-compliance (Corrie Ten Boom, Sofka Skipwith etc)

These are not particularly in order, and I'm not going to decide which are the appropriate for a Christian, but I think in the right circumstances they all can be. In the government overreach during the last few years I chose merciful compliance. Where I could I helped people who were marginalized by society without breaking the law. I appreciate the courage of those who moved across to non-compliance, but I never quite reached the point where I felt that was necessary for me personally. Now I see that despite the passion of the past, the memory of the last few years is fading from people's minds. The time is coming for people to express their feelings lawfully through the democratic process. A clear message can be sent that the police brutality was wrong. But will they send it or will they sit on their cynicism?

Romans 13:1 // Be Cool

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. (Romans 13:1)

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. (Acts 15:31)

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. (Proverbs 19:11)

Leadership that is decisive brings joy to the people. When the representatives of the early church make a clear decision in favour of the Gentiles, all the people rejoiced. Indecisiveness and compromise give joy to no man.
We must show loyalty and fealty to the human authorities God has placed over us so that they can decisively make good decisions. Taking offence and over-reacting, a martyrdom complex, will result in misery all round.
We need to bring "cool" back. Meaning not getting angry every time something annoys us, just being more "chill" about everything. This would be a glory to us, it would raise us in the esteem of God and man.