And put your trust in the Lord

 

Psalms 4:5(NKJV)

5    Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,     And put your trust in the Lord.

We hear that a lot in the Bible but what exactly does it mean?  Is there any special significance to the word trust? 

That was the question that occurred to me today.  I have a general sense of what it means but I thought I'd look up the definition of the word trust.  Now I've got to admit that I wish I had paid a little more attention in English class so that I had a better understanding of the difference between nouns, verbs, adjectives,  etc.  Oh well!

trust

noun

1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

2. confident expectation of something; hope.

3. confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust.

4. a person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust.

5. the condition of one to whom something has been entrusted.

adjective

12. Law. of or pertaining to trusts or a trust.

verb (used without object)

13. to rely upon or place confidence in someone or something (usually followed by in  or to  ): to trust in another's honesty; trusting to luck.

14. to have confidence; hope: Things work out if one only trusts.

15. to sell merchandise on credit.

verb (used with object)

16. to have trust or confidence in; rely or depend on.

17. to believe.

18. to expect confidently; hope (usually followed by a clause or infinitive as object): trusting the job would soon be finished; trusting to find oil on the land.

19. to commit or consign with trust or confidence.

20. to permit to remain or go somewhere or to do something without fear of consequences: He does not trust his children out of his sight.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/trust?s=t>

So for the most part it means just what I thought it meant.  The additional understanding that I've gotten out of this is that there seem to be two things here that are essential in demonstrating to God that we have indeed put our trust in Him.  Those two things are reliance and expectation.

So what does reliance mean exactly?

re·li·ance

noun

1. confident or trustful dependence.

2. confidence.

3. something or someone relied on.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/reliance?s=ts>

Trustful dependence.  Do you depend on God or is He there "just in case" you need Him? 

Expectation is pretty self explanatory.  It is an attitude.  How do you approach God?  Is your trust in God whiney and pleading or is it confident and full of expectation? 

Why is this important?  Because God has said He has our backs.  When we continually whine and plead for God to fix things I believe this actually shows a lack of trust in God.  Your not sure He has heard you or your not sure He is really going to work it out in the end.  Does that make sense?

So as you put your trust in God, make sure you are truly willing to rely on Him and then once you have made the decision to rely on God then do it in an expectant fashion!

 

"Blessed is the man…."

Psalms 1:1-6(NKJV)

1    Blessed is the man      Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,      Nor stands in the path of sinners,     Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2    But his delight is in the law of the Lord,      And in His law he meditates day and night.

Sometimes simple is best.  "Blessed is the man…." got my attention.  Who doesn't want to be blessed?  So I read on.  "….Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.". 

OK, that seems simple enough.  One of the themes I have been encountering recently is that we will be held accountable for what we believe and who we listen to.  In other words we have to discern who to listen to.

How do we do that?  With all the competing voices in the world, how do we know who to listen to and who not to?  In other words how do we discern the counsel of the Godly from the ungodly.  That would require a judgment wouldn't it?

Yes it would!  As I've said in the past, there are plenty of places in the Bible that tell us to make judgments.  I've noticed that in most cases, when the Bible tells us to make a judgment, the Bible also gives us the standards to use.  Such is the case here.

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord,      And in His law he meditates day and night."

The people you are listening to, do you see the above Scripture in their lives?  If so I'd say that is probably a good indication that the people you are listening to are well grounded. 

Isn't it nice when God gives us an easy one now and then?

"Kiss the Son, lest He be angry…"

I have written in the past about this mistaken belief in Kumbaya Jesus.  This belief that it is a live and let live decision and that if you chose not to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior there are no consequences. 

Now just to be clear, I believe that each and every person who calls on the name of Jesus Christ will be saved.  However I believe Scripture also tells us quite clearly that if we reject Jesus, there will be hell to pay, literally.  

Here is my reading from Psalm 2 this morning. 

Psalms 2:5-12(NKJV)

5    Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,     And distress them in His deep displeasure:

6    “Yet I have set My King     On My holy hill of Zion.”

7    “I will declare the decree:      The Lord has said to Me,     ‘You are My Son,     Today I have begotten You.

8    Ask of Me, and I will give You     The nations for Your inheritance,     And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

9    You shall £break them with a rod of iron;     You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

10    Now therefore, be wise, O kings;      Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11    Serve the Lord with fear,     And rejoice with trembling.

12    £Kiss the Son, lest £He be angry,     And you perish in the way,     When His wrath is kindled but a little.      Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

 I love the interplay here between God and Jesus.  God first tells Jesus that He (God) is setting Jesus up with His (Jesus') Kingdom on Earth. 

Then you have Jesus answering that He (Jesus) will declare on Earth exactly what God has told Jesus to declare.

Then God tells Jesus that He (Jesus) can have anything He wants.  Verse 9 is one that really caught my eye.  It is God telling two of the reasons He (God) is sending Jesus to Earth.  You'll notice that both have to do with destroying, not loving people.  Who is the "them" that God is talking about?  I believe it is those who reject Jesus. 

Notice verse 12.  "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry".  I don't know how much clearer the Bible can be on this point.  What happens if you don't "kiss the Son"?  The Son (Jesus) gets angry.  Not oh kumbaya, live and let live.  Nope.  Scripture tells us that to not accept Jesus makes Him angry. 

It's funny but it seems like everyone wants to claim the blessings of Jesus without making the commitment necessary to secure those blessing.    But who does Scripture identify as qualifying for those privileges?  Those who put their trust in Him, those who accept Him.  And thus by extension, those who reject Him don't qualify for those blessings. 

So how do you make sure you qualify for those blessings?  Simple.  Ask Jesus to come into your heart and guide you.  Ask Jesus to take control of your life.  Just have a conversation with Jesus and let Him know what you are looking for.  "Dear Jesus…."

How the heck does God do that?

I know this is horrible but man am I glad I am done with Job for this time around.  I love the way Scripture reveals more and more about God to us as we are ready to learn it.  The downside of that I have found is that occasionally I'll hit a spell where nothing is really speaking to me for days on end.  It's like it is written in a foreign language. 

That's the way it was with Job this time around.  That's why I always read a chapter from the Old Testament and a chapter from the New Testament each day.  That way if one part doesn't have anything for me that day the other part usually does.

Anyway on to Psalms.  It used to be that Psalms was like that for me.  Didn't speak to me much.  But last time through (the Bible.  I just keep reading it over and over) I really enjoyed the Psalms.  It's was like God had re-written it or something.  I couldn't believe that I had read these same words before and not enjoyed them. 

To me that is just a great example of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives.  He  resides in us and knows exactly where we are at in life.  He knows God's Word intimately and that is how He is able to reveal to us just what we need just when we need it.   

And how do you get the Holy Spirit you ask?  Easy.  Simply ask Jesus, God's Son, to be the Lord and Savior of your life.   Ask Jesus to come into your life and guide you.  Just have a conversation with Jesus and let him know what is on your heart.  "Dear Jesus…."

Once you have accepted Jesus you will get the Holy Spirit to reside in you and guide you.  Then dig into God's Word and watch it be revealed to you over time.  It's an amazing thing!

Tomorrow we will take a look at Psalm 1

"And the Lord restored Job's losses when…."

Todays passage is a bit longer than usual.  I've highlighted what I want to focus on.

Job 42:7-14(NKJV)

7And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. 

8Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”

9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord commanded them; for the Lord had accepted Job. 

10And the Lord £restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. 

11Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold.

12Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 

13He also had seven sons and three daughters. 

The first thing that stands out to me is that God seems to indicate here that He sometimes refuses to hear the prayers of those who are not in God's good graces.  God tells them that they need to have Job pray for them.  He is in essence telling them that they need not bother praying because it will do no good. 

Now Job had gone through a lot for God.  God was pleased with Job.  But look when God finally restored Job's losses.  After Job prayed for his friends.  That tells me that even in times of personal trouble God wants to see our focus on others. 

The next thing I find interesting is the phrase "for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him.".  It seems to me that I was taught that God doesn't actively bring adversity on to His people.  He will sometimes let Satan attack but God doesn't do it directly.  According to this verse, apparently sometimes He does.

And finally look how God rewarded Job for all that Job had gone through.  God rewarded Job with material wealth and more family.  In fact God rewarded Job with more wealth then Job had accumulated up to that point in his life.

The lesson I draw from that is don't let modern day Christians make you feel ashamed of your wealth.  If you are actively seeking God's will in your life and living the life God gave you then your wealth is simply part of the blessings that God has given you.  Use it for good but it is totally OK to enjoy it as well!

Run the race to win!

1 Corinthians 9:24-27(NKJV)

24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 

25And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 

26Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 

27But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

I've always loved these passages.  What a great exhortation to be the very best that we can be.  There is nothing wrong with being a competitor.  It is good and it is healthy in my opinion.  Competing against the best makes everyone better. 

Now obviously there are some caveats here.  I think the main issue is that we have to approach competition and being the best in a positive way.  What I mean by that is that we focus on the things that we can do to make ourselves and others better.  What I am not talking about is a ruthless competition that tears others down and destroys to win.

I think that the verses  above do a pretty good job of portraying that.  It talks about self control and training, etc.  All positive things.

Now when should we run the race to win?  All the time!  In all things!

Remember I am equating "run to win" with striving for excellence.    So if it is our work, strive to be the best at what we do.  If it is witnessing, strive to be that best at sharing our beliefs with others.  If it is caring for the poor, be the best at it.  If it is parenting, again working hard to be the best.

We serve a God of excellence.  We are made in His image.  Does that mean He made us perfect?  Nope!  But I think it does mean the we owe it to God to strive to be as much like Him as possible!

OK for some but not for others?

I find this a bit odd.

1 Corinthians 8:4-13(NKJV)

4Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 

5For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 

6yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

7However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 

8But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

9But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 

10For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 

11And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 

12But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 

13Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

What I find odd is the concept that some things are OK for one person but not for another based on each person's spiritual maturity.  It would seem to me that something is either wrong or it isn't.  Here it's saying that eating the meat of idols is no big deal for someone with the spiritual maturity to realize that there is only one God, our God, and therefore who or whatever the meat was sacrificed to is not really a god so it is OK to eat the food. 

However for someone else who doesn't have that understanding, if it will bother their conscience, they shouldn't eat the meat.  It would be a sin for them to do it.

That just seems odd and is something I am going to have to ponder. 

Have a great weekend!

Planting and Watering-Both Have a Reward

This Scripture reminds me of a story about R.C. Sproul if I remember correctly. 

1 Corinthians 3:5-8(NKJV)

5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 

6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 

7So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 

8Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Dr. Sproul is a theologian, author, and minister.  He once told the story of being on a plane early in his career where he was seated next to a guy on a three hour flight.  Dr. Sproul proceeded to beat the guy about the head with his Bible (figuratively speaking) for those three hours.  And he couldn't figure out why the guy wouldn't accept Jesus.

It was after that when God smacked Dr. Sproul upside the head with a Bible and said "Dude, knock it off.  While you are part of my plan you ain't the whole plan!"

I think the above Scripture is a great example of what God was telling Dr. Sproul.  Our job is to plant and water.  In some case we will be planting the seed and others will do the watering.  Sometimes it will be the other way around.  Some of us will be better at one thing than the other but that doesn't relieve us of our obligation to do both.

Did I say obligation?  Yep.  This isn't one of those chip in and help if you want to kind of things.  How well we plant and water is part of what determines how comfortable we are in eternity.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15(NKJV)

10According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 

11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 

13each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 

14If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 

15If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

One of the things that surprised me when I started writing this blog is the number of places in the Bible that tell us that all are saved by grace so all who accept Jesus get into heaven but once in heaven we will get different rewards based on the work that we did on behalf of God's Kingdom.  I used to think that everyone in heaven would be treated equally but that is Scripturally not correct.

Want proof?  Remember when the mother asked Jesus if her son's could sit on God's right and left (if I remember correctly)?  What did Jesus say?  Did he say no because everyone will be treated equally?  No Jesus didn't say that.  Jesus told the mother He couldn't promise that because those honors were not His to give.  Now if Jesus admits that those honors exist in heave that clearly tells us that not all will be treated the same.  Some will be honored more than others.

 The Scripture above is another example of what I am talking about.
 

Notice that it starts with a warning.  We are to take heed and evaluate how we serve God.  Are we building on the foundation of Christ?  Or are we building on a foundation other than Christ? 

Then it goes on to tell us that what we have built is going to be tested.  Another way to say that is judged by God.  If God finds what we have built acceptable, that is built on the foundation of Christ and helping to fulfill God's plan, then we will be rewarded. 

But look at the next line.  If God doesn't approve then the person who built it "will suffer loss".  Notice that God doesn't say "Nice try.  At least you gave it a good shot.  Just because you tried so hard I'm going to give you the same reward as the other guy."  Nope, God doesn't say that does He?  Verse 15 is very clear.  You will still be saved but you will suffer loss.  Your time in eternity isn't going to be the same as the guy who built what God approved of.

And again, who is held responsible for making the correct decisions?  You and I are.  Now do you want to make those decision's on your own and hope for the best?  Or would you rather have some good guidance.  How about guidance directly from God.  If He is the one you ultimately have to satisfy, wouldn't it make sense to ask Him what He would like you to do?

You can do that you know.  Go directly to God and ask.  He has even given us a helper so that we can hear directly from him.  That helper is called the Holy Spirit. And how do we get the Holy Spirit?  By accepting Jesus, God's son, as our personal Lord and Savior.  

That gives us the foundation of Jesus to build on and it gives us the Holy Spirit so that we can learn from God exactly what He wants us to do.  Would you like to have that?  Then just invite Jesus into your life.  Have a simple conversation with Jesus and ask Him to guide you.  "Dear Jesus…."

Now it is time to go plant and water in the ways that God is directing each and every one of us!

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God"

I've written about this in the past because it is one of the things that just never ceases to amaze me.  I'm talking about those people who think they are so spiritually and morally superior because they don't believe in "just one religion".  Their theory is that they take the best from all religions and meld them together to form their own understanding of God. 

What do you think will be the results of their views?  Maybe this Scripture gives a clue.

1 Corinthians 2:13-14(NKJV)

13These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the £Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 

14But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

Here is what this Scripture says to me.  I think the phrase "natural man" could easily apply to these people.  These are people that have heard the Gospel and have rejected it in favor of their own beliefs about God. 

This Scripture tells us that these people don't receive the things of the Spirit of God.  Why?  Because the things of God are spiritually discerned.  How does God help us discern His truth?  By giving us the Holy Spirit.  And how do we get the Holy Spirit?  By believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. 
 

So according to God's plan of how this should work, it is impossible for these people to know the things of God because they don't have the one thing from God that God said is necessary to understand Him.  The Holy Spirit.  Make sense?

"note those who cause divisions and offenses"

This is an interesting passage.

Romans 16:17-18(NKJV)

17Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 

18For those who are such do not serve our Lord £Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 

If you are on Facebook you see a lot of back and forth about religion.  Some of the back and forth is from people who truly want to know and some of it is from people who like to twist and pick and chose Scripture to try and make it mean something that anyone who can read knows it really doesn't say.

So does Scripture give us any guidance on how to deal with those people?  I think the verses above are a good place to start.  What does it tell us to look for?

"...note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned

Doesn't the Bible tell us not to judge?  Yes it does.  But the Bible also gives us instructions in several places that do require us to make a judgment.  The Scripture above is just one example.  As I've written many times, the Bible is a book of balance and has to be taken in it's entirety.

One of the things to note about this Scripture is that it gives us instructions on what to base our judgment.  "Note those who cause division and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned".

And what does it tell us to do with those people?  

Romans 16:17(NKJV)

17Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 

And why should we avoid them? 

Romans 16:18(NKJV)

18For those who are such do not serve our Lord £Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 

Because the folks who do that aren't serving Jesus.  And what does Scripture tell us about those who have rejected Jesus?  This isn't one of those live and let live, kumbaya situations.  Scripture tells us that when someone rejects Jesus they have become an enemy of God.

Those on the other side will scream "That isn't very Christian."  These people know how to twist Scripture to try and deceive.    They'll try to convince you that being a good Christian requires you to put up with their nonsense and continue to engage them and try to save them.

So let's examine that charge.  If it is un-Christian, what they are saying is that isn't something that Christ would approve of or do.  OK, fair enough.  Let's take a look at how Jesus handled a similar situation.

Here you have some folks that are questioning the authority of Jesus.  Jesus understands that these are not people who are truly seeking the truth but are people who have ulterior motives that are not in line with God's plan.   

Mark 11:27-33(NKJV)

27Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 

28And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”

29But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 

30The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

31And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 

32But if we say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 

33So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Notice Jesus doesn’t play their game does He?  He turns the tables on them and asks them a question.  When they realize it is a trap they give a dishonest answer.  Does Jesus continue to engage with them?  Does he try to lovingly persuade them?  Nope.  He tells them to take a hike!

So much for the claim that we are being un-Christian when we follow Christ's lead.  Realize the situation for what it is.  You have an enemy of God trying to use you to make Christ look bad and discourage others from believing.  Jesus wouldn't indulge them and neither should we.

"For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food."

 

Job 34:2-3(NKJV)

2    “Hear my words, you wise men;      Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3    For the ear tests words     As the palate tastes food.

Love the word picture that creates.  As you read the Word of God, do you test the words?  Or do you just read and accept everything at face value and move on without any analysis? 

I would submit that it is vitally important that you test the words.  There is so much hidden in God's Word.  Scripture tells us that we have to diligently seek God's Word.  That indicates more than just casual reading to me. 

As you can see from the last two days, I test the words.  Not all the words make sense.  Don't be afraid to admit that.  Don't be afraid to question God a little.  Don't be afraid to challenge God a little.  He can take it! 

As long as it is done in the spirit of truly wanting to understand His Word better.  If on the other hand you are challenging Him arrogantly like you know better and He is wrong, then look out.  But as long as you are honestly seeking,  I believe God is just fine with us using our intellect.  After all, He gave it to us!

Confusion Week?

LOL, this must be confusion week because I'm going to write today about something else in the Bible I find confusing.  I have been reading the book of Job. 

Now I admire Job.  But at the same time I just find the book itself a bit hard to read.  It's in that Old Testament style that sometimes leaves me feeling like I'm reading a foreign language.  :)

Why do I admire Job?  How many other humans have found such favor in God's eye that God had the confidence in Job to allow Satan to attack Job?  Think about that.  Satan asks God if Satan can go after Job and God says "have at him.  You can do pretty much anything to him but don't kill him.". 

Would God have that same kind of confidence in you or me? 

Some compliment though isn't it?  Job's reward for being so true to God was that God let Satan attack him.  What the heck?  That's not the way it is supposed to be is it?  But that is part of being willing to be used by God in any way God wishes.

Which brings me back to why I admire Job.  I have always said "God use me any way you want.  Everything I have comes from you so it's yours to do with as you please.".  Job answered that call and came through with flying colors.  But as I look at Job I have to wonder, could I go through all that and still defer to and praise God? 

I hope so and in my heart I think I could, but I would prefer to not have the chance to find out.  :)

Have a great day folks!

The Hypocrisy of Paul

One of the things you can count of from me is that I try to be intellectually honest in what I write.  In that regard I am going to highlight some Scripture that to this day I don't get and I actually think is highly hypocritical of Paul to write.

Let's begin with the Scripture itself.

Romans 13:1-7(NKJV)

1Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 

3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 

4For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 

5Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 

6For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 

7Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

So here is my question.  Is that what Paul did?  Did he just meekly do what the authorities in Israel told him to do?  No he didn't.  He appealed over their heads to Caesar. 

But wait a minute.   The Scripture above clearly tells us "
For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. "

"Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. " 

So if all authority is appointed by God, why did Paul resist?  And by resisting was Paul sinning?  The above Scripture says yes.

This whole thing doesn't make sense to me for the following reason.  To follow the Scripture above would require us to support evil.  If it said something like Godly leaders receive their authority from God, it would leave open the option to resist evil.  But it doesn't say that does it?  It says ALL authority comes from God. 

There have been many evil rulers throughout history.  Hitler being the easiest to think of.  According to the Scripture above we should have supported him and it was a sin to resist him.  I reject that idea!

One of the central themes of the Bible is the eternal battle of good vs. evil.  Now to have a piece of Scripture that specifically tells me that in some cases I need to support evil I find extremely perplexing.