Dual Panel1EVERYONE ought to obey the civil authorities, for all legitimate authority is derived from God's authority, and the existing authority is appointed under God.
2To oppose authority then is to oppose God, and such opposition is bound to be punished.
3The honest citizen has no need to fear the keepers of law and order, but the dishonest man will always be afraid of them. If you want to avoid this anxiety just lead a lawabiding life, and all that can come your way is a word of approval.
4The officer is God's servant for your protection. But if you are leading a wicked life you have reason to be alarmed. The "power of the law" which is vested in every legitimate officer, is no empty phrase. He is, in fact, divinely appointed to inflict God's punishment upon evildoers.
5You must therefore, obey the authorities, not simply because it is the safest, but because it is the right thing to do.
6It is right, too, for you to pay taxes for the civil authorities are appointed by God for the constant maintenance of public order.
7Give everyone his legitimate due, whether it be toll, or taxes, or reverence, or honour.
8Keep out of debt altogether, except that perpetual debt of love which we owe one another. The man who loves his neighbour has obeyed the whole Law in regard to his neighbour.
9For the commandments, "Thou shalt not commit adultery", "Thou shalt not kill", "Thou shalt not steal", "Thou shalt not covet" and all other commandments are summed up in this one rule: "Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself."
10Love hurts nobody: therefore love is the answer to the Law's commands.
11Why all this stress on behaviour? Because, as I think you have realised the present time is of the highest importanceit is time to wake up to reality. Every day brings God's salvation nearer than the day in which we took the first step of faith.
12The night is nearly over; the day has almost dawned. Let us therefore fling away the things that men do in the dark, let us arm ourselves for the fight of the day!
13Let us live cleanly, as in the daylight, not in the delights of getting drunk or playing with sex, nor yet in quarrelling or jealousies.
14Let us be Christ's men from head to foot, and give no chances to the flesh to have its fling.