Praying For America

Romans 13:1-7
By Rev. Harold Dinsmore, M.Div.
© 2007 Harold D. Dinsmore

            America, Land of the free!  I am so thankful to be living in a country where I am free!  Free to pursue what God has called me to do, free to raise my family as I see fit, free to go where I want to go, free to worship as I choose, free to work and make a living, free to vote my conscience, need I go one?  America, the land that I love.  I have never traveled out of the country except for Canada, but from what I have read and what I have viewed, I’m happy that I live where I live.

            Paul, in what many call the theological book of the New Testament, wrote these words to the Roman church sometime during or near the spring of AD 57, when in Corinth on his 3^rd missionary journey, theme is the Gospel, it includes Jew and Gentile,  and his purpose of the letter was to prepare for his arrival in Rome.  Read with me now verses 1-7  “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.  Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right and he will commend you.  For he is God’s servant to do you good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.  He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.  This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”