Should Christians pay taxes even when a government is using those taxes to carry out sinful or evil ends? This is a question that Christians have had to wrestle with throughout human history, and every generation of Christian must study God's Word to find an answer. In this text, Paul is incredibly clear on the Christian's responsibility to pay to all what is owed, including our obligation to pay taxes to governing authorities.

God has given governmental authorities the power to bear the sword, which includes capital punishment and war. For those who would stand opposed to these God ordained "ministers," he or she must recognize that they may find themselves standing opposed to God. Therefore, Christians must be clear on the "why," "how," and "when" with regard to their submitting to governing authorities.

Christians are commanded to submit to all governing authorities, as it is God who has ordained authorities as ministers of common grace. How should Christians respond to authorities, and should they submit themselves to wicked authorities? Is there a difference between submission and obedience? These critical questions are answered by God in the Scriptures.

Jonathan's faithfulness to God is on full display as He trusts the Lord at the battle of Michmash.

Paul commands Christians to love like our Savior Who died for His enemies. We must, therefore, determine to bless those who persecute us and not to curse. Also, we are called to not be self-absorbed, but to love those around us with a "others focused" love.

How should a Christian live? The answer can be summed up in one word: love. Paul labors in verses 9 - 21 on the importance of love and how it should define the Christian life. The four points of love are that we must love the good, love the brotherhood, love our neighbors, and love our enemies.

Every believer has a gift from the Lord which is given in order to build up the Body of Christ, the Church. We are called to use those gifts, and to be faithful with all that the Lord has given. Do you know your gift and are you using it in the Church?

God has given everything in His Son, Jesus Christ. So we are called to give everything back to Him as living sacrifices. Thus, Paul calls believers to give God their bodies, minds, and wills in order to bring glory to His name.

David affirms his allegiance to Christ but says he hates the wicked with complete hatred. Furthermore, he hates all rebellion that might exist within himself as well. Where is your allegiance, and do you hate darkness as you should?

The Mystery of His Will: Our Inheritance through Adoption. What an amazing grace that God has adopted us into His eternal family through our faith in Christ!