We Have a New Life in Christ

Notes: We Have a New Life in Christ 

Pastor Adam Eaton

Romans 13

4/9/2019

A lot of us have a hard time submitting to authority when we are driving.

We have a new life in Christ.

Romans 13:1-2 NKJV

[1] Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

1. All authority comes from God.

When God created the world. He told Adam and Eve to subdue the earth. Then the fall happened. 

It was God who gave them the authority.

Romans 13:3-7 NKJV

[3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. [4] For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. [5] Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. [6] For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

2. All authority is given to bring good.

The state is to do good, and punish those that do evil.

By who’s definition of good are we talking about. It’s safe to assume, that Paul is referring to good as defined by God.

Honoring God would not be authority they have to take away from us.

There is an active role that we are to play in our nation. We are to call on our leaders to do good.

We have a mandate to do good to those we have authority over. It may be hard, but it’s our job, it’s what we are called to do.

Romans 13:8-10 NKJV

[8] Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [10] Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

3. The ultimate way to contribute towards the good of a society is to love.

Loving your neighbors as yourself.

If you love, you are not going to harm.

The number one way to share Christ is to show His love through you.

Romans 13:11-14 NKJV

[11] And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. [12] The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. [13] Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

When we are face to face with God all things will come to completion.

4. Remember who you are

Romans 13:14 NKJV

[14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

That verse answers the question how we are to do these things.

There is nothing for us in the world. All we have is Jesus Christ.