1.Discuss your answers to the last question in the Thursday section. What decisive truths that the Bible conveys could we never, not even approximately, learn from science? For example, the cross? Or the resurrection? Or the second coming? What other important biblical truths must be revealed to us—otherwise, we would never experience them?

Science is a valuable tool for understanding the natural world, but it has its limits. There are essential truths about God, our lives, and eternity that we could never discover through science alone. The Bible reveals these truths, which fundamentally shape our lives and our faith. Here are some crucial examples:

1. The Cross: God’s Plan of Redemption

• • The Significance of the Cross: Science can examine the historical facts surrounding the crucifixion, but it cannot explain why Jesus died. The Bible reveals that Jesus bore the punishment for our sins through His death and reconciled us with God (John 3:16; Isaiah 53:5).

  • The Depth of God’s Love: Only Scripture shows us that the cross is an expression of God’s unconditional love that redeems and renews us.

2. The Resurrection: Victory over Death and Sin

• • Historical Uniqueness: While science might investigate the existence of the tomb or the circumstances of the resurrection, it cannot explain the reality of overcoming death.

  • Biblical Truth: The resurrection of Jesus gives us hope for eternal life and victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:20–22). Without this revelation, we would not know that death is not the end.

3. The Second Coming of Jesus: Hope for Completion

• • A Future Promise: Science cannot provide an answer to the ultimate future of humanity. However, the Bible promises that Jesus will return to establish His kingdom and make all things new (John 14:1–3; Revelation 21:1–4).

  • Comfort and Expectation: This truth gives us hope and perspective, especially in difficult times.

4. The Nature of God

• • The Trinity: The Bible reveals the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, a truth that goes far beyond human understanding (Matthew 28:19).

  • God’s Character: Only Scripture shows us that God is simultaneously holy, just, merciful, and full of love.

5. The Meaning and Purpose of Life

• • Our Purpose: Science cannot tell us why we exist. The Bible teaches that we were created to love God, serve Him, and have fellowship with Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 22:37–39).

  • Our Value: The Bible reveals that every person is created in God’s image and therefore has infinite value and special dignity (Genesis 1:27).

6. The Reality of Sin and Redemption

• • The Problem of Sin: Science can examine the effects of wrongdoing, but it does not fully explain why humanity is inherently sinful.

  • God’s Solution: Only the Bible shows that Jesus Christ is the answer to sin, redeeming us through His sacrifice (Romans 3:23–24).

7. Eternal Life

• • Our Destiny Beyond Death: Science has no answer for what happens after death. The Bible reveals that believers are promised eternal life with God (John 11:25–26).

Other Essential Truths

• • The Work of the Holy Spirit: The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit works within us, guiding, comforting, and transforming us (John 14:26).

  • The Importance of Prayer and Fellowship with God: Science can study the psychological benefits of prayer, but it does not explain the spiritual reality and relationship with God that prayer enables (Philippians 4:6–7).

Conclusion

The Bible reveals truths that go beyond the scope of science, providing us with profound insights into God’s plan, our existence, and our future. Without these revelations, we would never be able to answer the most important questions of life—about our origin, our purpose, and our hope. These truths are the foundation of our faith and give our lives direction, meaning, and hope.

2.Think about the fall of Lucifer, a perfect being with so much intellectual knowledge about God and who God is. And yet he rebelled against Him—despite all this knowledge. What does this tell us about the reality of free will—the same free will that we have—and why we must choose moment by moment to submit this will to God?

Lucifer’s rebellion shows that knowledge alone is not enough to guarantee faithfulness to God. Despite his perfect understanding of God’s nature and character, Lucifer chose to rebel against God. This event reveals essential truths about free will and the necessity of consciously choosing to submit our will to God.

1. Free Will: An Expression of God’s Love

• • God’s Gift: Free will is an expression of God’s love and respect for His creations. He did not create us as machines programmed to love Him, but as beings who can choose to enter into a relationship with Him out of free will.

  • Freedom with Responsibility: However, this freedom comes with responsibility. Our decisions have consequences—for our lives, our relationship with God, and our surroundings.

2. Lucifer’s Rebellion: An Example of Misusing Free Will

• • Pride and Self-Will: Lucifer allowed pride, selfishness, and the desire for independence to enter his heart. These thoughts led him to turn his God-given freedom against God Himself (Isaiah 14:12–14).

  • Knowledge without Submission: His intellectual knowledge about God did not protect him from rebellion. This shows that true faithfulness to God depends not only on the mind but on the submission of our heart and will.

3. Free Will and Our Daily Lives

• • Daily Decision: Like Lucifer, we also have the freedom to follow God or turn away from Him. This choice is not one-time but happens daily, even in every moment.

  • Danger of Pride: Lucifer’s fall reminds us how easily pride, selfishness, or the rejection of God’s authority can infiltrate our lives if we do not consciously choose God.

4. Why We Must Submit Our Will to God

• • God’s Guidance: By submitting our will to God, we allow Him to guide us and protect us from the consequences of wrong decisions.

  • Transformation through God’s Spirit: Only through daily submission to God’s will can the Holy Spirit transform our hearts and help us lead lives of faithfulness and obedience (Romans 12:2).

  • Protection from Rebellion: Lucifer’s example shows how dangerous it is to place our will above God’s. The conscious decision to trust God and follow His plan safeguards us from the consequences of self-will.

5. Love as the Foundation of Our Decision

• • Relationship, Not Coercion: God does not force us to follow Him. Our decision to follow Him should come out of love and trust, not fear or compulsion.

  • Motivated Faithfulness: When we recognize how much God loves us and what He has done for us, our desire to submit our will to Him and accept His guidance grows.

Conclusion

The fall of Lucifer reminds us of the reality of free will and the responsibility that comes with it. It shows us that knowledge alone is not sufficient—it is the conscious decision to submit our will to God that preserves us in our relationship with Him. This choice is not only a one-time action but a daily, even constant decision that shapes our lives and anchors us in God’s love and truth.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-10-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life-10-7-questions-themes-in-the-gospel-of-john-living-faith/

December 7, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Romans Chapter 13

¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

⁵ Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

⁶ For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

⁷ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

⁸ Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

⁹ For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

¹⁰ Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

¹¹ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

¹² The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

¹³ Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

¹⁴ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction

Romans 13 is a central chapter of the New Testament that addresses the relationship of Christians to governmental authority and the significance of the law in the light of Christian love. In a time when Christians lived under Roman rule, Paul provided clear instructions on how believers should relate to governing authorities and what spiritual principles should guide earthly life. This chapter emphasizes not only the duty of submission to worldly powers but also the overarching importance of love as the fulfillment of God’s law.

Commentary

In Romans 13, Paul urges Christians to adopt an attitude of submission to governmental authority, as all authority is ordained by God. Government is not merely a secular institution but has a divine purpose: to reward good and punish evil. Verse 1 makes it clear that there is no authority apart from God’s will, and resistance to state power constitutes a rejection of God’s order.

Verses 3 and 4 highlight that the governing authority is a “servant of God,” tasked with promoting good and punishing disobedience. The state wields the sword, symbolizing its power to enforce punishment and uphold justice. For the individual, this means that by doing good, one not only secures the recognition of the authorities but also maintains a clear conscience before God.

Paul, however, emphasizes not only fear of punishment but also the obligation to submit for the sake of conscience (verse 5). Submission does not mean blind obedience but rather an acknowledgment of the divine order operating through the state. This order is manifested through the just administration of taxes, customs, and respect for authority (verse 7). It is about doing what is right in both earthly and heavenly senses.

In the later part of the chapter, verses 8 to 10, Paul shifts focus to speak of love as the fulfillment of the law. Whoever loves has fulfilled the law, as God’s commandments are centered on love for God and neighbor. Love, therefore, forms the foundation of a godly life that aligns with divine commands and respects others.

Finally, in verses 11 to 14, Paul calls Christians to live in the light of the coming day. Since salvation is near, they should cast off the works of darkness and live in the “armor of light.” This entails living a life shaped by the hope of Christ’s return and distancing oneself from worldly temptations.

Summary

Romans 13 teaches that all governmental authority is instituted by God and that Christians should submit to it, not only out of fear of punishment but also for conscience’s sake. The state is tasked with rewarding good and punishing evil. The true expression of fulfilling the law, however, is love, which respects and honors others. Paul encourages Christians to live in the light of the coming day, leading a life of purity and hope for Christ’s return. The attitude of love, respect for order, and pursuit of a virtuous life are central themes of this chapter, which explores the relationship between God’s will and societal structures.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/7-11-2024-romans-chapter-13-believe-his-prophets/