It was while C.T. Studd was studying at Cambridge University in 1833, that he came across the following tract written by an anonymous atheist:

"If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life, influence destiny in the eternal world--then religion would mean everything to me. I would cast away all . . .
earthly enjoyments as dross,
earthly cares as follies,
and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity.

"I would esteem one soul gained for Heaven, worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand nor seal my lips. Earth--its joys and its griefs--would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me--soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable.

"I would speak to my fellow men in season and out of season; and as far as my influence reached, I would strive to save them from eternal doom.

"Yet, you Christians who profess to believe this truth, and who say that you have been saved from eternal damnation--you do nothing! You profess to believe that the unconverted are going to Hell, yet you are as unconcerned about your fellow men as if they were only brutes. If I believed what you claim to believe, I would not rest, day or night, until I had ensured that everyone I met heard and had the opportunity to be saved. My text would be: "What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" Mark 8:36

Noah’s Offering of Thanks.

A - What is Paul's view ofauthority and those who exercise it (vv. 1-5)?

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for thereis no authority except that which God has established. The authorities thatexist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoeverrebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, andthose who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulershold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you wantto be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and youwill be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servantfor your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the swordfor no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment onthe wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to theauthorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter ofconscience.

B - How would Paul's view ofgoverning authorities apply to wicked and perverse rulers such as Nero orHitler?

C - What are some reasons Paulgives for submitting to those in authority (vv. 1-5)?

D - In verse 8 Paul says,"Let no debt remain outstanding." Does this mean Christians shouldnever incur any type of debts (mortgage, car and so on)?

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authoritiesare God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Giveto everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, thenrevenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love oneanother, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

E - In verses 11-14 Paul usesseveral vivid images to describe "the present time." How does eachone give us a picture of how we should (or shouldn't) live?

9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,”“You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] andwhatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Loveyour neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Lovedoes no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And do this,understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake upfrom your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we firstbelieved. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Letus behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not insexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather,clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how togratify the desires of the flesh.[c]

Applyingthe Word

F - In verses 6-7 Paulsuggests some practical ways we should submit to those in authority. What otherexamples can you think of?

G - Do you think it is everappropriate to resist rather than to submit to the authorities? Explain.

Think back over thischapter. In what ways do you need to "clothe yourselves with the LordJesus Christ"?

Respondingin Prayer

Submission does not come to us naturally. Pray thatyou will learn to submit.

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Matthew 5:16

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Galatians 2:19-21

19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”[a]

Pastor Joseph leads the fellowship of Christ the King Newmarket in a study of Romans 9:1-29.