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This seems like an obvious statement, it makes sense that the law or legal claims only have authority over us while we are living. After all, it would be hard to collect taxes from a deceased person. When a person dies all claims of that life are nullified. Our possession get redistributed, our money gets pass down to our family members and we take nothing with us from this world .

This is a concept that everyone understands, both young and old. That is why Paul uses this example so that we can understand our new state of existence. In the previous chapter, Paul wrote to us that we had died to sin and we were made alive in Christ. He explained why we have no obligations to that previous nature. Now Paul is switching gears slightly and he is going to clarify how this transformation happened legally. This is important to understand that our redemption happened lawfully, which means it will hold up in God's court of Law. God does not operate outside of his established precepts, so he used legal methods to redeem us from the control of the kingdom of Satan.

When we are born into this world, we were born with a sin nature because of what happened in the garden with Adam and Eve. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned" ( Romans 5:12 ). Adam plunged mankind into the kingdom of darkness.

Now it is important to understand that when Satan stole Adam's authority, which God had given him in the beginning ( Genesis 1:28-30 ), he took it legally. Which meant that God could not take it back unless he took it back lawfully, otherwise our redemption would not have worked. That is why he sent Jesus in human form. Because humans were under the control of Satan's Kingdom. So when Jesus came, he came under the control of that kingdom. Because the only way to break free of it was to fulfill the Law which held us in bondage to it. We know that Jesus fulfilled the entire law because he lived a perfect sinless life. So when he died upon the cross he broke the power of darkness and the sin nature that held us hostage to Satan. Then he rose again and since he died once to sin he can never died again. ( Romans 6:9-10 ) Now he lives forever in heaven before God making intercession for us. ( Hebrews 7:24-28, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 10:12-14 ). So Jesus came in human form, fulfilled the law, broke the power of Satan's kingdom over us, rose again, lives forever as our high priest. All legal claims of Satan over him were broken forever.

Jesus offers us the righteousness that the law ascribed to by giving a new spirit when we put our faith in Him. This is called being born again. No longer do we have the spirit or sin nature that we were born with. We have Jesus' nature, what we received when we believed in Jesus as our Savior. Jesus died to die to sin so that we could also be free of it by association with him. Our old nature is gone and we have been freed from it forever ( Romans 6:6-7 ).

Therefore, since we have died to sin, the Law no longer has authority over us either. This happened completely legal in ever sense of the word. All claims that the Law had on us previously where annulled when we died with Christ. Since we were also raised with him we now belong to another. ( Romans 6:11 ). Today may you marvel at how complete and legal your redemption was, then stick around in the next couple of weeks to find out how this association with Jesus and your new nature affects your entire existence.

For further reading please visit these articles:
Romans 5:12 - The Law of Substitution
Romans 5:13 - Absent of the Law, Sin is Not Imputed
Romans 5:15 - The Gift of Righteousness Far Surpasses the Trespass
Romans 5:16-19 - The Sin Nature, The Source of All Grief, is Defeated in the Born Again Believer
Romans 5:20-21 - Trespasses Brought the Law, the Law Brought Death

Have you ever watched an nail biting action movie? Hollywood does a great job of evoking emotions from us while we watch our heroes save the day. Just when all looks lost and it looks like the villain will win, we always have hope because we know at the last moment the champion comes to rescue and restore.

In our story about God's love for us, our hero is Jesus. The Bible tells us that 'while we still powerless, Christ die for the ungodly' ( Romans 5:6 ). Why were we powerless? If you remember back to the garden of Eden, Satan took Adams authority from him by deceiving him. God had given Adam dominion over all the earth and he told him to subdue it. At the Fall, Satan became the legal owner of that power and dominion. Since that time, mankind was held ransom under his control, powerless to break free of it.

This is an amazing verse, because it says that at the right, perfect time Christ came to take back all power and authority. Mankind was week, feeble and unable to obtain freedom from the control of Satan's kingdom. We were in essence, enemies of God. Slaves to sin and born under the Law. But at the perfect time, God demonstrated his great love for us and sent Jesus. Born under the curse of the Law so he could redeem us from the law. He delivered us from the dominion of Satan and ushered us into the kingdom of heaven. ( Galatians 4:4 )

Not only were we powerless to get free but we were enemies of God. Sin had corrupted and the result was evident in the hearts of mankind. Paul is writing about God's great love for us. His grace and mercy is the reason that he came to redeem us. He did this while we were still sinning and powerless to change. It was based on nothing that we did, or could ever do to obtain it. Instead it was solely based upon his intense love for us.

Just like our movie heroes always sweep in to save the day, destroying the enemy and getting the girl, in the same way, Jesus had complete victory that day on the cross. The difference is that he came to save us while we were his enemies and powerless to help ourselves. But because of his great love for us, he removed all barriers, demonstrating his grace and mercy in the process. Today, know that you don't need to do anything except believe and accept this free gift that has already been purchased for you. When you do, then know that you are righteous before him and he now considers you a friend and his heir.

As believers we should be above reproach concerning money. We should be faithful and diligent stewards and appropriate it wisely. We should pay our taxes, pay salaries and let no debt remain outstanding. Whether we owe money, respect or honor we should be quick to settle those accounts and render to all men their dues.

The Pharisees asked Jesus something similar in Mark 12. They were trying to trap Jesus and came asking if they should pay taxes to Caesar or not. Jesus knowing their hearts answered them, "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it."They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. ( Mark 12:15-17 ). The Bible records the Pharisees marveled at his answer and asked him no more questions.

They were intent on entrapping him in order to accuse him and hand him over to the authorities. But Jesus knew their hypocrisy and called them on it. Luke's account went on to say, "They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent" ( Luke 20:26 ). By his one answer he utterly defeated those trying to accuse him. His answer showed that He upheld the civil authorities that ruled and instructed others to do the same.

In the same way we are to render what is due to others. Paul reminds us that they are God's servants devoting themselves to governing. It is logical that the citizens should pay for and support their service. In the same breath Paul reminds us to always give everyone what you owe them. If it is taxes, pay your taxes. If it is revenue or money, then pay them. If you owe respect then give respect if it is honor then show honor. In doing this you will live above reproach in this world.

As believers we are to be a people of principal. Our actions should be the result of a changed heart. We should not abide by the laws of our country merely to escape punishment, but we should live according to our conscience knowing right from wrong and doing what it right.

God instituted civil authorities to protect and govern its citizens. As an entity in position of authority, they also have the power to punish those who disobey the laws of that society. This is necessary to keep peace and order. If the law is broken, then there is fear of punishment because God has granted them the power to execute sentence on the wrongdoer. In the same way, if we live our lives abiding by rules established to protect us, then we will be free from fear of those in authority.

We should live under submission to the authorities of our land not only to be free from fear, but as a matter of principal. God has placed men and women in these positions of authority not only to punish those who do wrong but also to provide good for us. This is their main function, to create laws that benefit and protect us. When we live peaceably abiding by the laws of our land then we will be commended both by mankind and by God.

Because of this principal established by God, it is important for believers to vote wisely when given the opportunity to elect officials who will make our laws. Alot has changed over the last fifty years; the laws of our land reflect the attitudes of its citizens. No longer are we creating laws based on God's word, instead we are moving further and further away from His principals.  Staying proactive in our governmental process will give us a voice to lead and direct our country in the right way. Today, I pray that you live peaceably in our society, commended by both God and mankind. Remember to vote wisely and protect the freedom that proved very costly, amen.

As citizens of the world God has ordained the use of governments to protect and defend us. Even a bad government is better than no government. God has instituted these entities to provide peace and order to its citizens. Because of this we should submit ourselves under the authorities that were placed over us and live peaceably.

As believers we have a responsibility to vote wisely. We should be voting and choosing our candidates based on who aligns most closely with scriptural principals and guidelines. The scripture has given us the basis to live. II Peter 1 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" ( II Peter 1:3-4 ). Through the knowledge of God and his principals we have everything we need to live a godly life. By knowing these things we will escape the corruption and deceitfulness in the world. This Biblical principal also applies to our government. If we elect men and women who know the scriptures and create laws based on theis principal then we will live peaceably as a nation and escape corruption. Our forefathers understood this and that is why this nation was founded a Christian nation and has been incredibly blessed.

It is true that God has established and ordained each office of government. They exist by His permission and He has sanctioned every position. He has even given his approval to the men and women that we elect into office. These people may not have been God's first or second choice to run our nation; however He does not override our free will in choosing the people who will lead us. This is why it is important to vote scripturally because God allows us to empower those we choose. Once they take power we need to remind ourselves to pray for them on a regular basis. Pray that God will grant them wisdom in leading our country. Pray that He will give them insight into the laws they create. Pray that they will be supported and surrounded by godly men and women who will stand up and speak truth to them.

Remember, God has given us government as a gift to protect us. In the same way, we have a responsibility to protect our government from corruption by voting and empowering the right candidates' based on scriptural principals. The result will be the freedom to worship God as we choose and living peaceably all the days of our lives. May you understand this principal and determine to vote wisely and scripturally from now on.