Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 13:1-7. The love that characterizes the Christian life has implications for the Christian’s life under governing authority. St. Paul commands Christians to place themselves willingly under the order that God has established as the Creator of all things. He alone has authority of Himself; the authority of those governing in this life stems from His. For this reason, to resist such authority is to resist what God has appointed; He is the final judge. The Christian’s life under such order, then, is characterized by the attitude St. Paul laid out in the preceding chapter; the Christian responds to evil with good. This remains true under the order of earthly governing authorities. They are God’s servants to uphold what is good and punish what is evil. The Christian’s willingness to be under this order stems not only from a fear of punishment, but the free conscience given by the mercies of God. This br