Romans 13:5

The Chapel Fort Wayne

Romans 13:5

Clear Conscience

May 23, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Romans 13:5

PASSAGE: Romans 13:5 - "Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience."

PAUSE: Have you ever been a guest in someone's home and they explained the "house rules" to you? These expectations or guidelines might be different from the way you govern your own house, but it doesn't necessarily mean they're wrong. Some friends prefer that we take our shoes off at the door, while others don't mind if you leave them on. It is not that it is inherently sinful to leave my shoes on, but if I were to deliberately disobey the house rules, my conscience should start to nag at me and guide me to make the right decision. Many of our government's laws fall under this same category -- it's not that it's governing a matter of sin, but its explaining the way that our leaders have defined the house rules we should operate under. When you disobey a law like this, it may not be under subjection of God's wrath, but your disobedience may cloud your conscience. Since God has established government as an authority we are to submit to, we must walk in submissive obedience in order to live with a clear conscience.

PRAYER: Lord, I commit to live my life with integrity concerning all things, including all my dealings with law and government in order that I might live with a clear conscience before You! Amen.

More from When Kingdoms Collide Devotionals

Revelation 20:4

June 7, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Revelation 20:4

PASSAGE: Revelation 20:4 - "Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." PAUSE: The book of Revelation describes a future trial that will come upon all who are living at this time of great tribulation. One of these end times events is the Antichrist demanding that the world worship him alone. If this person is a government leader, should we bow in obedience? For followers of Christ, it's an easy answer -- of course not! But for some, the threat of punishment, persecution, or death will be too much for them to resist. When we are pressured to break the commands of God, even to the point of death, there will be a great reward for those who refuse to do so. Whenever your test may come, stand firm in obedience to God's kingdom! PRAYER: Lord, one day a ruler will oppose You in an ultimate showdown. Give me the faith of one who would never deny You, no matter the cost! Amen.

Acts 5:29

June 6, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Acts 5:29

PASSAGE: Acts 5:29 - "But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." PAUSE: We won’t always agree with every rule and regulation our government decides upon, but as citizens of this country we are obligated to obey even the laws we don’t care for. But as we see in this passage of Scripture, there is a clear exception. When it comes to obeying God or government, there is a line! We stay subject to government whenever possible, even to a fault. But when obeying government means disobeying God and His Kingdom's mission, we must follow God! Peter and the apostles were told not to teach in the name of Jesus, but they boldly proclaimed their foremost allegiance to God. PRAYER: Lord, I want to be a good citizen. And I want to honor and obey You in all that I do. Help me to do both for Your glory! Amen.

Acts 4:19-20

June 5, 2024 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Acts 4:19–20

PASSAGE: Acts 4:19-20 - "But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." PAUSE: The mission of the church is to share the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost world! (See Acts 1:8). Even when the world tells us to “shut up about that,” we must find ways to proclaim Christ! The history of the church is filled with Christ followers courageously and strategically sharing the good news. In the early days it was person to person. As Christians went about they took the gospel with them and shared it. When the printing press came along they put the gospel message in print and spread it everywhere they could, and even places they weren’t supposed to. Then radio signals came about and Christians sent the gospel message into territories completely closed to the Christianity. Interestingly, it is a common conviction that the most effective way to share the gospel today has returned to the person to person approach. Because of the skepticism of many toward Christianity we must build relationships of love with others and them allow God to open the door for the right time to share Christ with that friend. What would it look like for you to move forward with an evangelistic way of life? Who are you building relational bridges with that is far from God? PRAYER: Lord, the good news of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. Give me courage and clarity to share Christ with others no matter what. Amen.