Yet another lonely verse...

A verse that is often left out of the discussion around rulers who are ordained by God. This verse has the definition of what a ruler is in God's eyes. He is one who is not a terror to good works, but  to the evil. Far too often we lay our souls and wills at the feet of government without considering this. Are you submitting to the cause of someone who is committed to supporting evil? Those who are doing just this ought to be ashamed.

The rulers who are at every turn opposing evil and are under the authority of Jesus Christ ought to have our full support. The others we need to pray for while we stand up for what is right in the sight of God.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Romans 13:3

The following verses are thus, what I called, floated out of context. When verse 3 is allowed to be included then you have the more robust clarification as to what a ruler is per God's standard.

I have seen this practice of contextual separation (watering down if you will) so many times in my life. I cannot help but think this has a lot to do with the awful silence and lack of backbone the church has had over the course of the life of this country. Our country has degraded as a result to what we have today, a Godless society ruled by those who have the spirit of anti-christ.

Romans 13:1-2, 4-6:

1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Contextual gap here...

4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.