第十三章

¹政府的權柄，人人都應當服從。因為沒有一樣權柄不是從神來的；掌權的都是神設立的。²所以抗拒掌權的，就是反對神所設立的；反對的人必自招刑罰。³執政的不是要使行善的懼怕，而是要使作惡的懼怕。你想不怕掌權的嗎？只要行善，就會得到稱讚；⁴因為他是神的僕役，是對你有益的。但如果你作惡，就應當懼怕；因為他佩劍，不是沒有作用的。他是神的僕役，是向作惡的人施行刑罰的。⁵所以你們必須服從，不但是為了刑罰，也是因為良心的緣故。⁶因此，你們也當納稅，因為他們是神的差役，專責處理這事的。⁷你們要向各人清還所欠的；應當納稅的，就要給他納稅；應當進貢的，就給他進貢；應當敬畏的，就敬畏他；應當尊敬的，就尊敬他。

 

默想

1. 在這段經文中，保羅訓誡信徒要履行公民的責任，納稅，付賬，敬重長官。究竟我身為這個國家的公民，我對這個國家，以及神的國度，有什麼義務？我能怎樣真實地敬重我的地方長官？
2. 找出我這一區的地方官員（市長、市議員），省長以及本區省議員，總理和本區聯邦議員，為他們每一位提名禱告，求神使用他們，有智慧秉公義來治理這地。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在“靈程筆記”簿上面。

 

Chapter 13

¹Everyone 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. ²Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For 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. ⁴For 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. ⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. ⁶This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.

 

Meditation

1. In this passage, Paul commands, “Fulfill your obligations as a citizen.  Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.”  What is my obligation as a citizen to this country and to the kingdom of God?  In what specific ways can I respect my leaders?
2. Find a list of names of my local officials (mayor, city councillor) as well as my MPP and MP.  Pray for each one of them by name.  Pray that God would use them to lead wisely and justly.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.