Daily Bible Plan - Romans 13

19. June 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: From Upper Room to Every Room

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

Living out God’s presence in every space of life

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Please begin by reading Romans 13:1–14 slowly and meditatively.

Allow the Holy Spirit to speak through the passage. Pause on any verses that stir or challenge you. This chapter is a call to action—one that begins in the secret place but must overflow into every public and private space of your life.

Part 1: Order and Love in a Chaotic World (Romans 13:1–10)

Romans 13:1 – “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”

From the Upper Room to the Courtroom: Honoring Authority

The Upper Room was a place of surrender. In Romans 13, Paul teaches us that real surrender shows up in how we relate to earthly authority—government, leadership, laws. This doesn’t mean endorsing injustice, but it does mean we operate in honor, not rebellion.

Real-Life Example:

A believer, frustrated with political policies, chooses to pray consistently for leaders rather than slandering them on social media. Why? Because submission is not to man alone, but to God above all.

Romans 13:8: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…”

From the Upper Room to the Living Room: Love is the Law

Love is the one debt we are never meant to fully pay off. Paul links every command—do not murder, steal, or covet—to this: Love your neighbor as yourself. This love isn’t just felt; it is lived out through patience, forgiveness, and service.

Real-Life Example:

A husband learns to serve his wife more sacrificially—not because she’s perfect, but because the Spirit is perfecting him through love. A parent listens more intentionally to their child, even when tired, because love leads their home.

Related Scriptures:

• 1 Peter 2:13–17 – Submit to every human authority for the Lord’s sake.

• Titus 3:1–2 – Be subject to rulers, ready to do good, peaceable, and gentle.

• Galatians 5:14 – “The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Reflection Questions:

1. Am I showing submission and honor, or resistance and resentment?

2. Who in my life still needs to experience the love of Christ through me?

3. Is my home a place where the presence of the Upper Room continues?

Part 2: Wake Up and Clothe Yourself in Christ (Romans 13:11–14)

Romans 13:11 – “…The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

From the Upper Room to the Bedroom: Wake Up from Spiritual Sleep

Paul issues a wake-up call to the Church. There’s no time for passive Christianity—the night is far spent. The Kingdom is advancing, and Jesus is near. We must shake off spiritual laziness and live like those who know the end is closer than ever.

Real-Life Example:

A Christian who’s grown apathetic begins setting aside time again each morning for prayer and the Word—not out of duty, but because they’ve realized time is short, and their heart was drifting.

Romans 13:12 – “So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

From the Upper Room to the Boardroom: Walk in the Light

We don’t just say “no” to darkness—we say “yes” to light. This is a call to daily spiritual discipline: to put off gossip, addiction, immorality, and to wear holiness, joy, and integrity like armor.

Real-Life Example:

A business owner decides not to cut corners for financial gain. Even when no one is watching, they walk in integrity because they know they wear Christ—not compromise.

Romans 13:14 – “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

From the Upper Room to Every Room: Wear Christ, Not Compromise

Paul’s final charge is simple: Put on Jesus. Make Him your covering. Your identity. Your attitude. You cannot walk in purity while wearing compromise. You cannot fight spiritual battles while dressed in the flesh.

Related Scriptures:

• Ephesians 5:14–16 – “Wake up, sleeper… be wise, making the most of every opportunity.”

• Colossians 3:12–14 – “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness… and over all these virtues, put on love.”

• 1 Thessalonians 5:5–8 – “We are not of the night… let us be sober, putting on faith and love.”

Reflection Questions:

1. What area of my life is spiritually asleep and needs revival?

2. Am I dressing daily in Christ, or still entertaining compromise?

3. What would change if I truly carried the Upper Room presence into every room I enter?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to carry the encounter of the Upper Room into every room of my life—my home, my work, my community, my church. Teach me to walk in honor, lead with love, and live in the light. I take off the garments of the flesh and I put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep me awake, burning, and clothed in You. Amen.

With you on the journey,

Reverend Joseph Antwi

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