Let Everyone Be Subject

Dear CBC Family,

Rom 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

Paul's Letter to the Romans is the dangerous book. This was the book that interpreted most fully and most unmistakably the meaning of Christ and his death and resurrection to justify sinners by faith alone. It was this text that was hidden from the people. It was read through the ceremonial, sacramental, legalistic, glasses of the late Medieval Roman Catholic Church and error fostered through the Latin mistranslations of the Bible (for example the Greek word “metanoia” was translated “penance” instead of “repentance”).

When the Book of Romans was read with clear eyes the whole system of Roman Catholicism exploded—and the Reformation was born. Purgatory exploded. The practice of penance exploded. Indulgences exploded. Baptismal regeneration exploded. Papal infallibility equal with Scripture was denied, Eucharistic transubstantiation, the treasury of merit, the mediatorial role of Mary, and so on. Romans and Galatians must be avoided at all costs.

Yet here we are centuries later and we have been in this book for going on 6 years. We have been exposed to much that the world, the flesh and the Devil have tried to hide from the church and yet the Word of God still stands. This book has stretched me once again and now we are going to move ahead into chapter 13 for probably the biggest stretch of faith so far.

We are not finished in chapter 12 yet, but the Spirit has led me to move ahead and then come back after a few weeks in 13. This will enable us to see 12 in a whole new light, I believe. As you know, chapter 12 is the marks of a true Christian. We have been calling it the “beautiful life” as that phrase is used in the passage.

As we enter into the 13th chapter, I would ask that you come, having re-read chapters 12-13. This will give you some familiarity with the text. Chapter 13 will shake your worldview down to its core. I know it will be a tremendous blessing to all, so plan on being here this weekend.

The MAC is still down so we will not have videos of the service. We do have audio available but nothing takes the place of being in the midst of where God is working. Chapter 13 is all about submission to authority and it starts with submission to God. God says “Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, which is the custom of some, but do so all the more as you see that day approaching.”  These are the days when we need to learn to submit to God and all authority structures in our lives because there is no authority except that which God has established. That includes Hitler as well as Nero who was in office when Paul wrote this letter.

I pray that through this text we will be able to stand with the truth and not the rebellious spirit that seems to affect many believers in this land.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Scott