Wednesday, 9 September 2026

Romans part 197 - Life in the Body 22

Tweet

Romans 13:2-3 So whoever opposes the authority has resisted God's direction, and those who have resisted will bring judgment on themselves. For leaders cause no fear for good behavior, but for bad. Now if you do not want to fear the authority, do what is good and you will get his approval.

Paul is continuing instruction on how we are to relate to government. He seems to believe the best of government officials. I only wish I could join him in that belief. Nevertheless, when we do things God's way, we get God's blessing. I believe that principle applies to all things. This is confirmed in the Torah and again in the New Testament by Jacob.

Deuteronomy 28:1 Now if you listen obediently to the voice of Adonai your God, taking care to do all His mitzvot that I am commanding you today, Adonai your God will set you on high - above all the nations of the earth.

Jacob 1:25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect Torah, the Torah that gives freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts - he shall be blessed in what he does.

Our subject verse contains this phrase near the end ... "do what is good." I think I'll make a sermon out of that someday. When we do what is good, we bring honor to God, for He is good.

Psalm 145:9 Adonai is good to all. He has compassion on all His creatures.

Psalm 34:9(8) Taste and see how good Adonai is. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.

One last question ... How do we know what is good? What is good is always consistent with what the Scripture says is good, not what you or I THINK is good. Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children; and walk in love, just as Messiah also loved us and gave Himself up for us as an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma.

May we all be that "fragrant aroma" unto God as we walk in loving obedience to His righteous commands. Amen and Shalom shalom.