Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
I’m off to doing an evening shift at the library. Be back later.
I’m off to doing an evening shift at the library. Be back later.
I wrote that last comment in such a hurry that I didn’t notice the spelling mistake. I wish you could edit your own comments.
I’ve been thinking about “heaping burning coals on his head” which the Message puts it like this: “Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.” (actually this is in chapter 12 but I couldn’t think of anything to say about chapter 13).
It seems to me that it is about surprising our enemy with goodness. I think Jesus did this all the time. He was always doing surprising things – turning water into wine, upsetting the religious people, confronting the rich young ruler etc. Even in the OT Noah was building a boat miles from shore and the sun was stopping and going backwards – all very surprising. I’ve never understood the WWJD (What would Jesus do)thing. How on earth do you know what Jesus would do? He was always doing the spontaneous, unexpected thing. And i think this is how evil is defeated.
When we face an enemy he should have no idea about how we are going to respond. We may turn the other cheek; we may confront him over his evil actions; we may excommunicate him. Because we are free, we are free to follow the Spirit’s promptings and respond in the way that most meets the enemy’s need at that moment. The element of surprise is with us.
I wrote that last comment in such a hurry that I didn’t notice the spelling mistake. I wish you could edit your own comments.
I’ve been thinking about “heaping burning coals on his head” which the Message puts it like this: “Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.” (actually this is in chapter 12 but I couldn’t think of anything to say about chapter 13).
It seems to me that it is about surprising our enemy with goodness. I think Jesus did this all the time. He was always doing surprising things – turning water into wine, upsetting the religious people, confronting the rich young ruler etc. Even in the OT Noah was building a boat miles from shore and the sun was stopping and going backwards – all very surprising. I’ve never understood the WWJD (What would Jesus do)thing. How on earth do you know what Jesus would do? He was always doing the spontaneous, unexpected thing. And i think this is how evil is defeated.
When we face an enemy he should have no idea about how we are going to respond. We may turn the other cheek; we may confront him over his evil actions; we may excommunicate him. Because we are free, we are free to follow the Spirit’s promptings and respond in the way that most meets the enemy’s need at that moment. The element of surprise is with us.
this chapter really has got me thinking about stuff
1. all the laws are summd up into one:love your neighbor. That seems so cut and dry and yet we constantly seem to ignore it here in the american church.
2. submitting to authorities. this just doesnt seem right sometimes. if we think our government has led us into a wrong war, screwed the entire population on healthcare, social security, etc, how hard is it for us to really humbly submit to them…
and for us cynical ones who really thik the gov. isnt doing its job, what would be the results of us humbly submitting to it?
this chapter really has got me thinking about stuff
1. all the laws are summd up into one:love your neighbor. That seems so cut and dry and yet we constantly seem to ignore it here in the american church.
2. submitting to authorities. this just doesnt seem right sometimes. if we think our government has led us into a wrong war, screwed the entire population on healthcare, social security, etc, how hard is it for us to really humbly submit to them…
and for us cynical ones who really thik the gov. isnt doing its job, what would be the results of us humbly submitting to it?
sorry about my lapse in comments. i have been reading and following along. it has been a season of deep contemplation and stillness. i am now, howver, ready to speak. hopefully you’ll get back to this.
i have a hard time with this chapter for several reasons. first of all, i don’t like human authority too much. can i be subject to them? absolutely. but what do we do if obeying these people wounds our conscience? what then?
when paul wrote this, he was speaking to the romans about their government in rome. period. i think there can be modern application of this to be sure, but let’s not forget context. i think in applying this as a hard and fast rule, much damage has been done as the church champions the government and obeys them to whatever end they are going for without utilizing discernment.
because what of this war in iraq and its results? i have no doubt in my mind that all of this is being done under the guise of “self defense” and “freedom”. but there seems to be a very sinister underhand behind it all. how can i hear the word “freedom” when to ensure this “freedom” i must needs give up many rights and true freedoms to a government that i cannot trust?
i’m not sure what your news in austrailia shows about this, but i don’t think this is going to end well at all. (at least for us in the u.s.) slowly, VERY slowly, we are giving up our freedoms left and right to a system to “protect” us. if left unchecked, this is going to become a police state.
god help us if it comes to that.
sorry about my lapse in comments. i have been reading and following along. it has been a season of deep contemplation and stillness. i am now, howver, ready to speak. hopefully you’ll get back to this.
i have a hard time with this chapter for several reasons. first of all, i don’t like human authority too much. can i be subject to them? absolutely. but what do we do if obeying these people wounds our conscience? what then?
when paul wrote this, he was speaking to the romans about their government in rome. period. i think there can be modern application of this to be sure, but let’s not forget context. i think in applying this as a hard and fast rule, much damage has been done as the church champions the government and obeys them to whatever end they are going for without utilizing discernment.
because what of this war in iraq and its results? i have no doubt in my mind that all of this is being done under the guise of “self defense” and “freedom”. but there seems to be a very sinister underhand behind it all. how can i hear the word “freedom” when to ensure this “freedom” i must needs give up many rights and true freedoms to a government that i cannot trust?
i’m not sure what your news in austrailia shows about this, but i don’t think this is going to end well at all. (at least for us in the u.s.) slowly, VERY slowly, we are giving up our freedoms left and right to a system to “protect” us. if left unchecked, this is going to become a police state.
god help us if it comes to that.
I’m thinking that for me to continue to talk about the Iraq war is really me talking out the depths of my ignorance which is not something I like to do. As far as I know only one Australian has died in the Iraq War and although we regularly hear reports of casualities etc. generally speaking the war is not, at this time, impacting our lives. I understand your concerns about losing freedoms in order to be “free”. While that issue is discussed from time to time in the Australian media we don’t seem to be in danger of losing any of our freedoms at the moment.
In Acts 5:29 Peter says, “We must obey God rather than men!” and as you say at times like these we really need God to give us discernment.
I take comfort in Psalm 2:1-4 where the kings of earth and rulers (and governments) plot and plan but God just laughs at them because ultimately He is the one in charge and His plans cannot be thwarted.
I’m thinking that for me to continue to talk about the Iraq war is really me talking out the depths of my ignorance which is not something I like to do. As far as I know only one Australian has died in the Iraq War and although we regularly hear reports of casualities etc. generally speaking the war is not, at this time, impacting our lives. I understand your concerns about losing freedoms in order to be “free”. While that issue is discussed from time to time in the Australian media we don’t seem to be in danger of losing any of our freedoms at the moment.
In Acts 5:29 Peter says, “We must obey God rather than men!” and as you say at times like these we really need God to give us discernment.
I take comfort in Psalm 2:1-4 where the kings of earth and rulers (and governments) plot and plan but God just laughs at them because ultimately He is the one in charge and His plans cannot be thwarted.
v.14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh
"do not think about" we deceive ourselves if we think we can dwell on selfish desires and not act on them. What we think about will effect our behaviour for better or worse.
v.14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh
"do not think about" we deceive ourselves if we think we can dwell on selfish desires and not act on them. What we think about will effect our behaviour for better or worse.
v.4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.
In every way and at all times God wants to do us good.
v.4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.
In every way and at all times God wants to do us good.
v.10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
And yet we have so many Christians running around trying to fulfil the law though their good deeds.
v.10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
And yet we have so many Christians running around trying to fulfil the law though their good deeds.
v.1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
(From Constable Commentary) “Submission (“be subject”) includes obedience, but it also includes an attitude from which the obedience springs. Submission involves an attitude of compliance and deference that is not necessarily present in obedience. Submission is essentially support. The Christian may have to disobey his government (Acts 5:29). Still in those cases he or she must still be submissive and bear the consequences of his or her disobedience.”
Being submissive is not an attitude just for women (!) but for everyone.
v.1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
(From Constable Commentary) “Submission (“be subject”) includes obedience, but it also includes an attitude from which the obedience springs. Submission involves an attitude of compliance and deference that is not necessarily present in obedience. Submission is essentially support. The Christian may have to disobey his government (Acts 5:29). Still in those cases he or she must still be submissive and bear the consequences of his or her disobedience.”
Being submissive is not an attitude just for women (!) but for everyone.
v.9-10 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
No longer was a list of commandments necessary like it was under the Old Covenant. Now under the New Covenant we have one command: love others.
From the Message: “When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along.”
v.9-10 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
No longer was a list of commandments necessary like it was under the Old Covenant. Now under the New Covenant we have one command: love others.
From the Message: “When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along.”