Submission to Authorities

(1 Peter 2:13-20)

1Let every soul to the higher authorities be subject, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities existing are appointed by God, 2so that he who is setting himself against the authority, against God's ordinance hath resisted; and those resisting, to themselves shall receive judgment. 3For those ruling are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil; and dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? that which is good be doing, and thou shalt have praise from it, 4for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil. 5Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience, 6for because of this also pay ye tribute; for servants of God they are, on this very thing attending continually; 7render, therefore, to all their dues; to whom tribute, the tribute; to whom custom, the custom; to whom fear, the fear; to whom honour, the honour.

Love Fulfills the Law

(Leviticus 19:9-18)

8To no one owe anything, except to love one another; for he who is loving the other -- law he hath fulfilled, 9for, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false testimony, Thou shalt not covet;' and if there is any other command, in this word it is summed up, in this: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself;' 10the love to the neighbour doth work no ill; the love, therefore, is the fulness of law.

Clothe Yourselves with Christ

11And this, knowing the time, that for us, the hour already is to be aroused out of sleep, for now nearer is our salvation than when we did believe; 12the night did advance, and the day came nigh; let us lay aside, therefore, the works of the darkness, and let us put on the armour of the light; 13as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation; 14but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the flesh take no forethought -- for desires.