I’ve been watching in horror, current events where people are openly defying law enforcement – literally spitting on them, taunting them, running them down and bringing firearms to riots. This, and barging into church services and shouting down the pastor – this must not stand,
The financial corruption in Minnesota, California and other states – including the EBT corruption (and open defiance by those recipients who feel so entitled to tax money that they refuse to work for) and the open stealing of tax dollars by Somali nationals and others – has gotten my dander up quite a bit!
The first area I thought of was Romans 13. What does Paul discuss in this chapter, specifically verses 1-7? It specifically addresses submission to authorities.
Paul wrote in verses 1 and 2, Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Granted, Paul wrote this to believers in Rome under the Roman Empire – an often oppressive, pagan system under emperors like Claudius and soon thereafter, Nero, who would persecute Christians severely. The instruction applies even in contexts of imperfect or unjust government, not assuming rulers are always godly or just. The current government however, unlike the previous administration, is not hostile to Christians or the public as a whole.
Had the citizens who were killed or arrested by federal authorities in Minnesota not impeded a federal law enforcement operation, or threatened law enforcement – they would be alive and/or free today.
In other words, when you’re told to exit your vehicle by law enforcement, you follow orders and get out, you don’t try to run down the officer standing in front of your vehicle! That can get you shot and possibly killed. Had Renee Good, for example, had she complied – she would be home with her child today, alive and well.
Paul writes in verses 3-4, For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
Do what’s right, and reap the benefits – do what’s wrong, reap the consequences. What is it they say these days, “Fool around, find out”? Some people are finding out, and they aren’t liking it too much.
Which leads me to that mob who stormed the church in Minneapolis. Everyone’s screaming that Don Lemon has a first amendment right to report from the church. This mob – and Don Lemon, has no first amendment right when they cross the threshold of God’s House.
Had Don Lemon stayed in the parking lot or on the street, and out of the church, there wouldn’t have been a problem – but he crossed that threshold and went into that church, and thus, violated the sanctity of God’s House.
First, the church is privately owned, not a public space. It would be like someone invoking their right to spew satanic rhetoric in my home. It’s not permitted – there’s no first amendment right when someone comes onto my property. Any mob or unwanted visitor crossing onto my property will be met with resistance, the police, and/or possible deadly force should it be warranted.
Second. The church is off limits to protest or riot activity. As I said earlier, any truly born again Christian would never take part in such lawless activity – and if they did, I would have to question their salvation. Don Lemon is not a born again Christian. I really don’t care what he professes – He lives a homosexual lifestyle and is “married” to another man – both abominations in God’s eyes.
The fact that he took part in this madness surprises me not in that he shows no fruit of being a Christian.
Add to all of this is that he is actually deceived by the leftist rhetoric – believes it, and lies to his audience using it! (Virtually the entire media establishment does that – with very few exceptions).
Years ago, I wrote about how churches need to have armed security, and that it’s biblical to possess a firearm to protect yourself and your family. Each church should also have a security team with several members who are armed – including the pastor. See the article here,
That invasion would never stand at my church, and I was happy to see the arrests of the ringleaders as well as Don Lemon. Now, let’s see some convictions!
Better yet, let’s see some repentance – some true repentance,, on their knees repentance and salvation.
Could it happen? Sure! Will it?? Sadly, probably not.
This must never happen again and a message must be sent loud and clear that houses of worship are hallowed ground.
Don Lemon and the rest of these protesters need to think of Galatians 6:3-8,
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else. For each one should carry his own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
They are nothing – their lives can be taken in an instant – but they think of themselves as invincible. They deceive themselves! But of course all non-believers do, until they come to the realization that they need Jesus as their savior.
Let’s wind this up with verses 5-7: Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Verses 6-7 are key and we’ll look more at this soon – we pay taxes – to support governmental work, and therefore, the work that God’s representative does here in this nation, not to siphon off and send to Somalia or to line ones pockets. This whole thing about the Minnesota and California fraud – and apparently it’s going on in other states too – is just sickening.
But that’s for another rant.
Verse 7, Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Pay your taxes – when they’re due. I hate paying them too, but we pay them! It’s one of those things that are definite in life – death and taxes.
Pay your bills – again, when they’re due. It’s tough, I know – but when you want something, you pay for it, you don’t steal it. It does go without saying, but these days, it seems everyone’s stealing – it’s wrong, stop it!
Give honor to those who deserve it. Your parents, law enforcement, those in authority. God commands it – do it!
Paul included verses 1-7 to promote a peaceful, law-abiding Christian witness. Christians were a small, vulnerable minority in Rome, and any perception of them as rebellious, subversive, or “antisocial” – a charge already leveled at Jews and early Christians – could invite suspicion or crackdowns.
Paul urged submission to avoid unnecessary conflict. This echoed what he wrote in Romans 12:18, “live peaceably with all” and the call in Romans 12:21 to overcome evil with good.
This protected their testimony and allowed the gospel to spread without being dismissed as a revolutionary sect.
We should live the same way – and to protect our Christian witness.
The #Heb10 Church 