The more I read Scripture, the more I realize that God intends for His truth to influence every aspect of our lives. Especially the uncomfortable areas. One of the many benefits of preaching through an entire book of the Bible is that there's no avoiding the texts that are uncomfortable.  We must face the passages that bother us with the same humility and determination as we study the passages we like.  And so it is that this week, as we continue our journey through Romans entitled Live By Faith, we will find ourselves entering into an area of great discomfort: government.

Notice that I didn't say "politics."  Romans 13:1-7 does not address the value of one political perspective over another.  Rather, Paul gives very direct instructions on how Christians are to respond to their government regardless of where it lands on the political spectrum.  Paul believes that the Christian who is striving to be a living sacrifice with a renewed mind should think about government through the lenses of the sovereignty of God, while also ensuring that the government does not take God's place in our lives.  This text is full of tension that is just as relevant for our world today as it was for the church in Rome living under Nero.  I hope you can join us as we carefully examine our attitudes about government.