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I am a retired pastor of
the Church of God (Tennessee). My name is Isaac Livingston. I am from Neyyoor India. |
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Email: Pastor True Gospel
Apostle Paul was a Jew, he was also a Roman citizen, he was converted to Christianity, and on top of them all, he was chosen as an apostle. So, Paul wear many hats. If we notice him, he speaks as a Jew, as a follower of Jesus Christ, as an apostle, and in this chapter, he speaks as a Roman citizen. However we have to consider one thing. "
Colossians 1: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" God is the creator of the world, everything in the world, including principalities and powers in the world. So, God has installed the Roman government also. So, we should look at Paul as he represents all of these functions as the servant of God, of course with his weakness, and he fulfills his calling as stumbling stone for the wise and prudent theologians and preachers, not only in his days, but also in our days. So, Christians are also responsible for good government.
"1
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."
In the beginning God created all things. In
Colossians
1:16&17
we see the creation of invisible things. "16
For by
him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible
and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or
powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17
And he is
before all things, and by him all things consist."
They are the world power, ruling, administrative structure, and such things even
though there was
no people, then God fills in with people. So, the world governments with their
power, nations, and even small office managements, are the creation of God. "Ephesians
1:20
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his
own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far
above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that
is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:"
Not only God has created the structure of small and large governments, and such,
the Resurrected Jesus Christ is made the head of them all, and God
allowed the organization to be so. Since he is the CEO of all, read the next.
"2-4. 2
Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that
resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3
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:
4
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."
So, God has it in control. But it seems a lot of things are not as smooth as it
supposed to be. So, we may say that unless God appoints you to one of these
offices; example: appointed as a manager, standing for the office of a mayor,
canvass in an election, or such, then do what is required of you to do. If not,
work as a peaceful law-abiding person. Serving your employer is serving God in
this context.
"5
Wherefore ye
must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."
Everybody is given conscience, and some of us even given the Holy Spirit for our
guidance. So, not only we obey God, but we should obey our bosses in the world also.
"6&7. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." These are easy to understand and obey.
"8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." God made laws for decent good peaceful living. If we love others and want to do no harm to our fellow men, we will automatically fulfill the laws, and then we will inherit heaven.
"9&10. 9
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.
10
Love worketh no
ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
This is the portion of the ten commandments of God. We believe that these are
given not only to Jews, but it is also given to us all, and these will lead us even to eternal life.
Ten commandments may be abridged as two commands; Love God and Love our
neighbor. Love our neighbor will take us to paradise and also love God will take
us to new heavens. If we love our neighbor, we will automatically fulfill the
second command and we will escape hell and go to paradise.
"11
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."
It is good to know that in case we slip from the way of the Lord for the higher
calling, we may
not be destroyed in the lake of fire, but at least we will be in new earth or
paradise. But new heaven is nearer than you think, and then why should we give
up so easily. It is nearer than when we believed.
"12
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."
We have spent enough time on the yoyo, doing the works of darkness. What are
they? Darkness is where there is no light. Darkness is symbolically religion where the
light is not there. They have no truth, but have only ceremonies and rituals by
traditions. Now let us wake up
and put on our soldier uniform to go to war. Put on the armor of light, which is
the righteousness of Christ, for our justification.
"13
Let us walk
honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and
wantonness, not in strife and envying."
We have the light of the Lord in the day. Any kind of rebellion, strife, and
envy should not be in our lives.
"14
But put ye on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts
thereof."
If we indulge and gratify in any thought or activity, pertaining to the lust of
the flesh, nib them in the bud, do not give any provision to them, cut them off
and kill them. Then it is possible that we may receive the abiding of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Then we will be with him in the glory.
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Matthew 28:20, & Mark 16:15. Jesus Christ preached his commandments to obey, as his
Gospel; it is the true Gospel to inherit Eternal life. Genesis 3:1-4 & 2 Corinth 11:2-4. But Preachers, who are Serpents of Satan, preach the life of man Jesus just to believe, but not to live as a chaste virgin, as the gospel; it is another gospel, which cannot and will not give Eternal life.The true gospel will convert evil people to do good and thereby they will inherit the kingdom in heaven.
John 3:19-21 say that people are two kinds, evil and true. Evil doers will not come to the Light, who is God; but people of truth come to God for their deeds to be made manifest. We have good and evil people by our standard of our society or culture. These evil people may be converted to be doers of truth by the power of God, and they may inherit the kingdom of God in heaven.
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Email: Pastor True Gospel
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