Laws

Romans 13:1-10 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.[2]Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.[3]For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;[4]for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.[5]Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.[6]For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.[7]Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.[8]Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

• have an attitude of subjection and non-resistance, and respectful honour and fear toward your government. But have these attitudes toward God even more.
• pay your taxes and customs
• proper laws are about doing no wrong to a neighbour, which if you just love your neighbour you will keep
• rulers who are ruling legitimately are not a cause of fear for any good behaviour
• rulers are meant to be a minister of God to us, for good
• they shouldn’t bring down wrath on us unless we practice evil
• for below
• you are free as Christians, but don’t use that freedom as a cloak for evil. Instead think of how you can serve God with your freedom
• honour your rulers
• submit yourselves to creations of man, such as institutions and ordinances.
• If the Lord has asked you to do something in His Word, then it’s impossible to obey laws to the contrary as if it’s “for the Lord’s sake”
• Government are meant to punish evildoers, and praise those who do right.  It is implied that right and wrong are properly known, from God’s Word.

1 Peter 2:12-17[12]Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. [13]Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,[14]or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.[15]For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.[16]Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.[17]Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

• KJV for v.13: Submit yourselves to every ordinance[creation] of man for the Lord’s sake; whether it be to the king, as supreme;

 

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Tit 3:1 NASB_95 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

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1Ti 2:1-7 NASB_95 1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

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2Pe 2:9-11 NASB_95 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, 11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.

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1Ti 5:8 NASB_95 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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Pro 11:25-26 NASB_95 25 The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered. 26 He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

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Gal 5:22-23 NASB_95 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

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1Co 7:23 NASB_95 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.

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Gal 2:4-5 NASB_95 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

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Rom 12:21 NASB_95 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Joh 10:10 NASB_95 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

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Rev 21:8 NASB_95 But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

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Exo 23:1-3 NASB_95 1 “You shall not bear a false report; do not join your hand with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. 2 You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice; 3 nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute.

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1Jn 1:5-7 NASB_95 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

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Jer 29:7 NASB_95 Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’

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Mat 22:21 NASB_95 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

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Pro 24:21 NASB_95 My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change,

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God wanting us to obey Him:

• Matthew 22:21b “… Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.””
• Act 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; [20] for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 
• Act 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men“

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Things that God wants for His church:

• Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; [24]and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, [25]not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
• Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
• Romans 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
• Acts 1:13-14  When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.  These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
• Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
• Acts 2:1,42-47  When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place….[42]They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43]Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. [44]And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; [45]and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. [46]Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, [47]praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
• 1 Corinthians 5:3-5 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. [4]In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, [5]I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
• 1 Corinthians 11:17-20 But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. [18]For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. [19]For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. [20]Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper,
• 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?[24]But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;[25]the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
• 1 Corinthians 16:20[20]All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
• Genesis 2:18  Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
• Mark 16:17-18 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: … they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

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Scenarios:

• Large families can’t have anybody over, they can’t coach the younger and teach them God’s ways, and bless them 
• Churches can’t meet freely, and hug, holy kisses, break a common bread and drink a common cup, and wash each other’s feet. Can’t even shake hands.
• Kids camps can’t happen, where kids have fun and feel loved and learn the gospel.
• Youth can’t meet in healthy ways and study the Bible together and grow close to people of the opposite sex so they can get married.
• Adults can’t easily go to support groups and study the Bible together and heal.

These are a new kind of law.

1. The oldest kind of law was for morality and holiness and religious freedom, based on the Ten Commandments.
2. These were later replaced by a set of laws that were more about protecting people and their property, but they were still good and they were fact-based….ie. insurance fraud really does steal from others, and rioting in the streets is not a safe thing for our neighborhoods.
3. But now there’s a third set of laws that is fear based, for example we are afraid of another black death coming and we’re afraid of people dying before they’ve reached 90, in fact we’re afraid of death period, so “all our life we’ll be subject to bondage” to paraphrase the Bible. So let’s curb our neighbour’s freedom and destroy their church and the spread of the gospel and people’s mental health to stop these early deaths.

It’s insanity to have laws based on fear.