FRIDAY, JULY 23

Scripture: Romans 13:1-4

In Romans 13 we find that the Kingly immediately follows what Paul taught in Romans 12 concerning the Priestly.  Paul says in Romans 13:1-4, “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. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 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. 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.”  These four verses outline the purpose for judicial Kingly authority.  We know that this authority has two realms.  It operates in the political realm and also operates in the spiritual realm.  We know that because the Greek word translated authority is ex-oo-see-as.  And it can be used for both political or spiritual authority.  Jesus used it for spiritual authority in the Great Commission, when He said “All authority/ex-oo-see-as is given unto me in heaven and earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”  Romans 13 makes it perfectly clear that the purpose of judicial authority is to terrorize those who continually practice evil.  Romans 13:3 says, “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.”  Verse 4 says, “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.” Peter executed God’s wrath on Ananias and Sapphira because they were practicing evil.  Paul executed a measure of God’s wrath on the false prophet because he was practicing evil.  Can we not recognize that a measure of our spiritual authority has the assignment of representing God as a King in order to draw boundaries against those who practice evil?  We’ve taught the church how to be a Priest.  We have failed to teach the church their Kingly responsibility in arresting evil so that it does not defile our harvest field.  If the enemy can defile our land before we gain a harvest from it, he guarantees God’s judgment on that land and the forfeiture of the harvest.  Perhaps that is the enemies plan.  The lack of preparation of the church in this realm