Romans 11-13

[wolfpurplemoon]

An interesting metaphor, Paul says that the Gentiles he has been preaching to are wild olive branches that have been grafted onto a cultivated olive tree where natural branches have been removed. Paul is saying that they could not survive without the root of their religion so shouldn't turn against the Jews who won't convert.

God has given everyone different gifts, and these gifts must be used. It doesn't say how to work out what gift you have, just use it correctly.

Paul weaves in some instructions to follow what the government tells you to do (and pay your taxes), apparently governments are servants of God and have God's authority to deal with wrongdoers, this comes straight after telling us not to get revenge ourselves but to be nice to our enemies and let God deal with them.

Comments

[princessellie0.livejournal.com]

We are to pay our taxes and obey the law of the land as long as it does not go against Gods laws, the reasoning behind this is that Christians are not to be seen as trouble makers, we are humble and live to serve God, money and earthly things are to hold no weight to us for God says he will provide if we are in need.