Getting Romans 13 Right: NOW Is The Time - We Are The Watchmen Weekly, February 10, 2024
Getting Romans 13 Right: NOW Is The Time - We Are The Watchmen Weekly, February 10, 2024
This week, we look at the work of Pastor Dan Fisher (Liberty Church Edmond) on Romans 13 and what it really means - Read, Share, & Subscribe - WeAreTheWatchmen.org
We Are The Watchmen Is Empowered By Timothy Partners Ltd., Sponsors Of The Timothy Plan
Do You Really Know If What You’re Investing In Aligns With Your Values?
Now Is Time To Ask The Right Questions… And To Make Sure You’re Kingdom Focused.
Learn more at TimothyPlan.com
We Are The Watchmen Weekly is our look at what’s happening in the world, and what we, as Watchmen on the Wall, are responsible to make people aware of.
Each week, we dig deeper into the stories that matter most and connect the dots with scripture.
If you know others who have been called to be Watchmen, please let them know about this newsletter and how they can join us.
EDITORS NOTES:
We Are The Watchmen Weekly is 1 year old this weekend! Thank you for your support.
Underlined Text Is Clickable For Scripture Reference & Additional Information. You can use the “search” function in your web browser, normally ‘Ctrl+F,’ to search for the scriptures we reference in our articles.
We invite you to actively participate in this newsletter with your contributions. Please email your thoughts, sermons, or studies to us at wotw@usa.com so that we can consider them for use in a future edition as reference material.
Romans 13: Interpretation & Intent - It Matters Now More Than Ever
We Are The Watchmen Weekly readers are more familiar than most when it comes to understanding the times in which we live.
And we’re seeing a trend over the last few years that reminds us of the need to be vigilant:
The twisting of Romans 13 for gain. Romans 13, in particular verses 1-5, are used to tell people that they must submit to authority, regardless of the situation.
This isn’t a good thing, nor is it sound doctrine.
Remember, ignorance is not an excuse in the eyes of God… and he’s told us as such.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
And within the Geneva Bible, we are told by Apostle Paul exactly who, and what, we are up against in Ephesians 6:12:
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly governors, the princes of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, which are in the high places.
We’ll take a look at Romans 13, those who are looking to take advantage of it, and what our responsibilities are as believers in a moment.
Don’t Miss This Week’s Edition Of “The Culture Crossroads” With Andrew Southwick & Our Publishers, Julianna Ormond & RC Williams!
Watch live Sundays at 7pm ET at BEK.news.
Interpretation: The Crux Of The Issue With Romans 13
For context, let’s take a look at Romans 13:1-5, which is the section that is most used to make the point that we should submit to authority:
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
So this begs the question: What if those in authority are not doing the will of God?
Pastor Dan Fisher of Liberty Church in Edmond, OK took the time to answer that question both by teaching, and writing a book on the subject.
“‘You are a Christian and it is your duty under God to submit to government; no matter what – and you are sinning of you don’t!’” How often have you heard someone, especially in the church, make that declaration? Are they right? I do not believe so,” says Fisher in his exegesis and application.
“Let me begin by stating the obvious: submission to authority is unquestionably a central tenet of Christianity and is clearly taught in Scripture. A couple of passages that teach this immediately come to mind:
‘Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,’ (1 Tim. 2:2-3, NKJV)
‘Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.’ (Titus 3:1-2, NKJV)
According to Scripture, all authority ultimately finds its source in God and in submitting to God, Christians must be known for their respect for and submission to proper authority. But, must Christians submit to every dictate of authority – especially that of their state/national government? “
Fisher poses a difficult question for many Christians, because they have been led to believe a lie.
This week, we watched the movie “Riding The Dragon” which chronicles President Joe Biden, his family, and their relationships with China. After watching it, the question of Romans 13 came back to the forefront of our mind.
First, please watch the trailer:
Now, ask yourself this question: Is it possible to submit to authority that operates like this, given it violates scripture?
“Sadly, the majority of preachers, pastors and politicians have been ignorantly or intentionally shackling the people for years with what I believe to be a flawed interpretation of Rom 13 – especially as it applies to the form of government we have in these United States,” says Fisher.
“Consequently, people have generally come to believe that they would be sinning if they ever defied the government, no matter how evil it may have become. They mistakenly believe that they, especially if they are Christians, owe slavish, unlimited submission to all authorities. Is this actually what Paul was teaching in Rom 13?”
This is an excellent question from Fisher.
If the government that’s supposed to represent your interests is doing things that are:
Counter to God’s word;
Putting you and your family in danger
Are you just supposed to go along with it?
That’s exactly what the United States has done over the past few years.
Why?
Because Christians have abdicated their GOD ORDAINED ROLES in the culture and in society… and the result is the decay that you see all around you… including situations like this one:
That’s Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) making the statement that protecting US borders (that’s YOU) matters less than aid to foreign countries.
Let that sink in for a moment…
We’ll take a look at how Fisher provides scriptural evidence of how believers are to deal with out of control authority in a moment.
Please support our sponsor, Food Forest Abundance.
Supplies could become much more difficult to come by, including fresh food.
But with a Food Forest from FFA, you could have more than you need.
They’ll help you to manage it AND sell off your surplus.
It’s worth looking into… your future depends on it.
“Oddly enough, the Bible actually provides numerous examples of committed believers not only defying governmental authority but also receiving the approval of God in the process,” says Fisher.
“Consider these examples:
The Hebrew midwives defying the command of Pharaoh by saving the Jewish baby boys – including Moses’s parents saving him (Ex 1:15-21, 2:1-10)
Moses refusing Pharaoh and siding with the Jews (Heb 11:27)
Queen Esther approaching the king uninvited in order to save the Jewish people from annihilation (Est 4:10-16)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing to bow to the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 3:1-23)
Daniel defying the king by refusing to stop praying to the God of Israel (Daniel 6:1-13)
Jesus refusing to abide by the Jewish Sabbath laws (Matt 12:1-14, John 18:31)
The apostles and early Christians refusing to stop preaching the Gospel (Acts 5:27-29, 12:1-4, 16:19-24)
Believers throughout the ages defying ungodly authorities (Heb 11:35-38)”
Fisher continues.
“Even more perplexing, I have heard many of the same preachers and politicians who believe that Rom 13 requires unlimited submission, applaud the above- mentioned biblical heroes for their courage to defy the evil authorities of their day.
But how do they justify this apparent contradiction in their thinking?
Obviously, they cannot have it both ways – either the Bible requires unlimited submission to governmental authority, thus making the likes of Daniel and the apostles sinful rebels, or there must be something wrong with the generally accepted unlimited submission understanding of passages like Rom 13.
So, were men like Daniel sinning when they defied the evil authorities of their day? Certainly, the Bible does not condemn them. Was Jesus sinning when He defied Jewish laws, laws that were just as authoritative as those of the Romans?
Of course not – at least not if He was the sinless Son of God. To even suggest that Jesus sinned is itself heresy.”
This information provides us a VERY different perspective on how we deal with authority, and how we are to be bold when confronting those who abuse it or act in a tyrannical way.
We’ll take a look at your homework and wrap up this week’s edition of the newsletter next.
Did you hear that FIFTY US SENATORS got satellite phones…
“Just in case?”
If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know, what does?
How will you communicate in times of crisis?
Satellite Phone Store has phones, radios, alternative power, and much more.
Visit them today - YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT.
Homework:
If your church body isn’t handling this issue in a meaningful way, now’s the time for you to speak up and lead
If they are, be a loud voice beyond the 4 walls
You’re a Christian Conservative… it’s time to get active politically and stop the decay of our culture. Organizations like Watchmen Action and the Florida Republican Assembly make it easy for you to plug in and put together multiple tools to get the job done.
Be bold! If you speak and act boldly with His guidance, He can work through you
Tell as many other people as you can - about what you’re doing… this newsletter, how to do the same thing you’re doing.
Important links:
To see the Exegesis and Application from Dan Fisher, Click Here.
Watch Dan Fisher’s training on Romans 13:
We Are The Watchmen Weekly provides easy and practical ways to tie scripture into what’s happening right now.
Use Wisdom, Use Discernment, And Use The Word!
We invite you to actively participate in this newsletter with your contributions. Please email your thoughts, sermons, or studies to us at wotw@usa.com so that we can consider them for use in a future edition as reference material.
We Are The Watchmen Weekly is a sponsor and subscriber-powered publication, published by The Give Foundation.
We appreciate your support on our mission to bring another 1 billion people to The Lord.
