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Unity, Criticism, and the Sovereignty of God • Mar 18th 2000

The Letter to the Romans: Message #7 – Chapter 13 -God’s Sovereignty, Christian Love, and Protecting Church Unity

Fellowship New Testament Organic Church Paul the Apostle The Epistles

Romans 13 is one of the most discussed chapters in the New Testament, addressing government authority, Christian responsibility, love, and life within the body of Christ. In this teaching, Gene Edwards explores Romans chapter 13 from a practical and spiritual perspective, revealing how believers can understand authority, God’s sovereignty, and the importance of maintaining unity among fellow Christians.

The message begins with Paul’s teaching regarding government and authority. Rather than viewing earthly authority as existing outside God’s control, Gene examines how Scripture presents all authority as ultimately under God’s sovereign hand. This perspective challenges believers to trust God even in difficult circumstances and to recognize His purpose at work in every area of life.

The study then shifts to Romans 13:8-10, where Paul declares that love fulfills the law. Gene explains how genuine love prevents actions that harm others and becomes the foundation for Christian conduct. Rather than focusing on rules and regulations, believers are called to walk in love toward one another.

A major emphasis of this teaching is the preservation of unity within the church. Practical warnings are offered about criticism, fault-finding, bitterness, and division. He explains how seemingly small attitudes can grow into destructive forces that damage Christian fellowship and hinder the life of the body of Christ.

Drawing from personal experience and years of ministry, we highlight the power of the tongue to either build up or destroy fellow believers. His exhortation is simple yet profound: love does not seek to wound others. Instead, Christians are called to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, walk in humility, and protect the unity that allows God’s glory to be expressed through His people.

Whether you are studying Romans for personal growth, leading a Bible study, or seeking a deeper understanding of Christian community, this message offers valuable insight into one of the most practical chapters in the New Testament.

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Mama sat down, and this guy got up to preach, and his topic that morning was Billy Graham, and he laid it on Billy Graham, and he was giving Billy Graham down one side and up the other. Mama got madder. You can’t imagine what my mother’s like when she got into a steam. It was something like this: she got up in the middle of a pew. She was in the middle of a pew. She got up, cupped her hands like this, and said, “Hooray for Billy Graham!” And stormed out. I have always felt sorry for that preacher. I would like to console him today by saying Mister, that was a pattern. My mama would do anything. That was so typical of her. That was just my mother. Now you know a little why I’m like I am. Patterns, Patterns, Remember them. There are patterns. This should help you.  If you can remember this, it will help the unity here a great deal. It doesn’t mean you throw them out because of it. They just got patterns, and they are probably going to keep them right up until the day they die, unless something intervenes.

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