WEDNESDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2016 MORNING
Romans 13:1-7 New International Version (NIV)
Submission to Governing Authorities
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
These words of The Apostle Paul echo the words of our Lord Jesus Christ when He said pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. (Matthew 22:21). We are citizens of our country here on earth and also in heaven. Let us fulfill our responsibilities in both these areas As Christians let us honour God first but also all people in authority.
JUMATANO TAREHE 26 OKTOBA 2016 ASUBUHI
RUMI 13:1-7
1 Kila mtu na aitii mamlaka iliyo kuu; kwa maana hakuna mamlaka isiyotoka kwa Mungu; na ile iliyopo umeamriwa na Mungu.
2 Hivyo amwasiye mwenye mamlaka hushindana na agizo la Mungu; nao washindanao watajipatia hukumu.
3 Kwa maana watawalao hawatishi watu kwa sababu ya matendo mema, bali kwa sababu ya matendo mabaya. Basi, wataka usimwogope mwenye mamlaka? Fanya mema, nawe utapata sifa kwake;
4 kwa kuwa yeye ni mtumishi wa Mungu kwako kwa ajili ya mema. Lakini ufanyapo mabaya, ogopa; kwa maana hauchukui upanga bure; kwa kuwa ni mtumishi wa Mungu, amlipizaye kisasi mtenda mabaya kwa ajili ya ghadhabu.
5 Kwa hiyo ni lazima kutii, si kwa sababu ya ile ghadhabu tu, ila na kwa sababu ya dhamiri.
6 Kwa sababu hiyo tena mwalipa kodi; kwa kuwa wao ni wahudumu wa Mungu, wakidumu katika kazi iyo hiyo.
7 Wapeni wote haki zao; mtu wa kodi, kodi; mtu wa ushuru, ushuru; astahiliye hofu, hofu; astahiliye heshima, heshima.
Maneno haya ya mtume Paulo yanafana na maneno ya Yesu Kristo mwenyewe akisema “Mlipeni Kaisari yaliyo ya Kaisari, na Mungu yaliyo ya Mungu” (Mathayo 22:21)
Tunawajibika kama raia wa nchi yetu hapa duniani na mbinguni pia. Tumheshimu na kumtii Mungu kwanza lakini pia tutii mamlaka iliyowekwa hapa duniani.
