Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 13-14 NCV

Executive Producer

Brother Paul of Seattle

Associate Producer

Andy Baker, Joshua Doubrava, Mike Haner, Sister Kirsty

Podcast Introduction

This is Epistles Sunday. We’ll read Romans 13-14. I’m calling today’s episode “Watch Your Toes.”

Happy Anniversary to Lifespring Media

Comments on Romans 13

Paul’s scope today was pretty broad, wasn’t it? 

He started off with a message that is hard to swallow if you are at all a politically minded person, or if you watch the news. And by the way, I don’t recommend immersing yourself in keeping up with the 24 hour news cycle. That’s a sure way to madness, in my opinion. 

Here again are the first two verses of Romans 13: All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves.

I’ve lived long enough to live under political administrations that I agreed with and those I disagreed with. Vehemently. All’s well if I agree with the powers that be, but when I don’t I really have to remind myself of Paul’s words. I need to remind myself that God is control, even when it seems that the current rulers are against everything I believe. I have to have faith that God knows what he’s doing. And of course He does.

Before I move on to Paul’s next point, I spoke in some detail about our response as Christians to political leadership that seems to be at odds with God’s standards. I encourage you to listen to that episode. It’s here.

Let’s move on now. So Paul was first looking at the macro…the big picture. Now he moves to the micro…the close-up stuff. He focuses on our relationships with individuals. How we get along with our fellow man. He makes it sound so easy. “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Yeah, Paul, but have you met my neighbor? There is nothing remotely lovable about that guy! He’s petty, he’s cantankerous, he’s foul mouthed, he’s mean. He’s let his house fall into disrepair. He has junk in his driveway. What’s that? Oh, yeah. There was nothing much lovable about me when Jesus called me. Maybe there still isn’t. Ok. That hurts. Jesus, help me to see my neighbor through your eyes. Help me to love him like you love him, and like you love me, even though I don’t deserve it.

Well beloved, how’s that for homework? No one said this life of faith was easy. Do you have a neighbor like that? Maybe someone you work with? Maybe a family member? Pray for them this week. And then, pray for yourself.

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Transcript

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Romans 13-14: Watch Your Toes - 18th Anniversary Special (LSFAB S13E043)

[KERMIT THE FROG - 0:00]Hey, Kermit the Frog here. And I'd like to say that I listen all the time to the Lifespring podcast. And here's your host, Mr. Steve Webb. He's such a nice guy, you know?

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[STEVE WEBB (THEN) - 0:16]Lifespring Media, bringing the message of hope, love, and good news since 2004.

[STEVE WEBB (NOW) - 0:32]Well, that's going back in time just a few years. This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, and podcasting since this date in 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we'll read through the entire Bible together in a year. The website is lifespringmedia.com. Welcome to the 18th-anniversary show of Lifespring Media.