(Rom 13:3)  “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:”  The purpose of government is the protection of its citizens. Evil, the breaking of the law, is to be punished. Good is to be acknowledged and commended.

 (Rom 13:2) “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”  Authorities are to be submitted unto as ordained of God whether that be governmental, the home, or, in the case of the believer – the church. Exception: where they go against the plain teaching of the Word of God.

(Rom 13:2) “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”  “Damnation”: judgment; the same word used in (1Co 11:29) “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Since that is speaking to believers who cannot be damned, it means judgment.

 (Rom 13:1)  “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.”  Why allow the evil “powers”? Man is given a free will. This is the result. Sad: we cannot appreciate the good without experiencing the evil. Praise God for the good. May He come soon to reign upon the earth!

(Rom 13:1)  “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.”  Government – one of three areas of authority: government, home, church. These could not exist if it were not for God. We are to obey those placed upon us (except where they go against the plain Word of God).

 (Rom 12:21)  “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”   This doesn’t mean all men will respond rightly to your actions of good. It means your soul will have overcome the old nature and the ways of this world.

 (Rom 12:21)  “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”  To give love to those who hate us, in God’s eyes makes us over-comers. Fact is, our pride whispers when we read this verse, “But those who do evil to us should not benefit from doing so.” Ah, remember what God has said, “I will repay” (v.19).

 (Rom 12:21)  “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”  To whatever degree we seek to strike back at an offender, we have been overcome with evil; that is, we have sought revenge instead of doing good to them. Remember, it is our heart God sees rather than the outward action, the inner cancelling the outer.