Romans 13 Message Three

Review Romans Chapter 12

I. The believer should surrender self to God. 12:1-5
A. His body surrendered in service. 12:1

Note about sacrifice and offerings –

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

We cannot simply enter into the presence of God on our own merit as Cain did and expect favour from God. Faith brings forth favour.

Begin with Genesis 4:1-4 and compare with Hebrews 11:4 Faith is the key!

Faith brings for respect for God –

Sanctification understood: Genesis 35:1-7
Sanctification again enjoined: Exodus 19:14-16
Sanctification seen in Job 1

Note the sacrifices under the Law as set forth in Leviticus –

Burnt offering – atonement
Meat offering – consecration
Peace offering – appreciation
Sin offering – atonement and forgiveness
Trespass offering –

The difference between the Trespass and the Sin offering was that in the Sin offering for the priest and the congregation, the blood was taken into the Tabernacle and sprinkled before the veil. This was never a part of the Trespass offering.

Note that these offerings were given in faith, not to acquire faith.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The sacrifice is given over wholly to God and not taken back.

“…present your bodies a living sacrifice…which is your reasonable service.”

B. His mind surrendered in study. 12:2
C. His being surrendered to the body. 12:3-5

II. The believer should serve God. 12:6-21
We noted the –

A. Features of the body. A living organism.
B. Functions of the body. Gifts to one another at the direction of God.
C. Faithful service in the body. Edification, building one another up in the truth of God’s Word.
D. Future of the body.

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish

In chapter 13 we have learned of the lives of both –

I. Dutiful subjects Romans 13:1-7 Obeying governments
II. Devoted friends Romans 13:8-10 Indebted to love one another.

As an overview of chapter Romans 12 up to chapter 13:11, we see that when we give ourselves unto God as living sacrifices, we begin to transform from who we were to who we are in Him. We begin to learn of God and His will. We begin to submit to the things that we have learned, being baptized, becoming members of His church. He places us into the membership of this church as it pleases Him. We give ourselves unto Him and He gives us as gifts to one another to help one another to be built up into a spiritual household.
As we grow in the knowledge of the truth in Him through His Word, we are instructed that we do not live unto ourselves. While we are not of this world any more, we still are in this world and are to live our lives to the praise of His glory. Our testimony in this world is that we put God first in all things, loving Him and loving others through Him.
We are taught that the Commandments of God hold no fear for us because when we love Him first, we would never consider breaking His laws. Since “love worketh no ill to his neighbor…” the Law has no reason to condemn us. We often begin our life with God through duty, doing what we know is right, and then we learn that the life of devotion is where the joy of life is.
We recognize that our time in this life is passing by quickly. We do not have time to waste on the things of this world. Therefore we should be –

III. Disciplined servants Romans 13:11-14

The theme repeated to the churches –

Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 5:14-16 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Colossians 3:1-7 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

We have responsibilities as the children of God in our response to –

A. The call to awake. Romans 13:11 “…time to awake out of sleep…”
B. The call to arms. Romans 13:12 “…the amour of light.”
C. The call to holiness. Romans 13:13,14 “…let us walk honestly…”

Submission to the Lord “… a living sacrifice…” prepares the believer to stand in peace before the judgment seat of Christ, giving glory to God for all that He has done in our lives.

2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.