Continuing his great application of his rich theology, Paul presents a logical progression of how we are to live as followers of Jesus. Having looked in chapter 12 at how worship through our service and love our brothers and sisters in Christ. In chapter 13 he continues this theme of love, but this time Paul wants to tell us how love lives well in society.
Beginning with looking at the civil authorities, out obedience to the law of land is part of the Christian's integrity. Paul affirms that civil leaders are appointed by God's authority, therefore they are to serve as his agents in the moral law. This does not mean that Christians simply sit back and take what comes their way. If the civil authorities are not leading in a Christ-centred way, then we take a stand for what is right and true - we obey God rather than man.
This leads Paul into the second part of the passage as he considers how love keeps us from sinning. Sacrificial love means we stay on the path of light and not on the path of darkness. Living in the light means we stay true to the gospel, whereas walking in the darkness will only lead to sin. Paul urges us to be sincere in our love of Christ so that we can live well in the church and in society.
Romans - The heart of the Gospel is a teaching series from Annalong Presbyterian Church. Find out more at www.annalongpc.org/sermons.
Romans - The Heart of the Gospel