Whenever we argue what the law—any law—says about another’s actions, we do well to remember that same law also has much to say about our own. We do well also to remember that same law may not always say good things about our own actions.
How does Romans 13 govern this - isnt there a divide between personal judgment which God wants us to leave for His determination and judgment under the laws He instructs us to adopt and enforce for order and to implement His "wrath on the wrongdoer"?
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Wise words. Two wrongs don't make a right. However, as you know, both parties to this war have supporters who will choose their side no matter what they do.
How does Romans 13 govern this - isnt there a divide between personal judgment which God wants us to leave for His determination and judgment under the laws He instructs us to adopt and enforce for order and to implement His "wrath on the wrongdoer"?
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Romans 13 is merely a wordier version of "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's". Accordingly, it really doesn't apply.
Romans 13 is a plea for social order, not a justification for the law.
Wise words. Two wrongs don't make a right. However, as you know, both parties to this war have supporters who will choose their side no matter what they do.
I know. All I can see to do is point out the fundamental illogic of such a stance.
Eventually, we all must account for our choices, good and bad.