Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 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 he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. {Romans 13:1-7 NIV}
Needless to say: many have employed that passage to justify their desire to rule and to reign as they wanted to in the past; and it is no different today: be assured. For even in the case of those who do not openly profess such: the thought of their authority being ordained by the Lord God Almighty is most pleasing unto them.
No, I am not here to dispute that it is indeed true. For it truly is as it is written: The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.{1}
Nonetheless: there is another thing to consider. For our Heavenly Father will sometimes give us what we want; and that is not always a good thing in regards unto what is generally considered as being good in the eyes of this world{2}.
Take King Saul of ancient Israel for example. For he was chosen to rule over the land in answer unto the prayers of the people{3}; and his wickedness before our Heavenly Father is well documented{4}.
Yes, the choice appears to be clear unto many. For they want to support those who openly profess to serve the One who truly does rule and reign over our nation—even in this day and age of post-modern sophistication{5}; but do they truly want to bear His fruit{6}???
Therefore: let us be mindful of this in the election of our governmental leaders. For it is not just over the realm of religion that false prophets seek to reign{7}.
[{1}Proverbs 21:1 NIV; {2}Proverbs 14:12; {3}1 Samuel 8:1-22; {4}1 Samuel 9:1-15:35; {5}Job 12:13-25; {6}Galatians 5:22; {7}Matthew 7:15-27]
Well said.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy. Be assured that I am only a scribe.
ReplyDeleteWow that is very well put together. Kudos to you and your site, I really do enjoy it. You keep to the actual greatness of belief and don't twist it around for personal gain like so many have done with the lords name. Keep up the good work man, you really are helping a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteThank you for participating in The Seventh Day blog carnival this week! Interesting post . . . I love the way you concluded it. As Christians, we certainly have to be mindful of how we cast our votes and I appreciate this reminder.
ReplyDeleteHope you will participate again in the future!
Thank you so very much, Matt and Hopeful Spirit. I hope that you-all will feel the same way about the next post, which is scheduled to come-out sometime next week. For it gets much more into specifics; and this will undoubtedly be very upsetting unto many.
ReplyDeleteWhy involve God in politics ? In Europe it is quite unusual, some politicians even refuse to swear on a bible. The State is one thing and the Church another. Both have nothing to do with each other.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Gattina: Be assured that this post is meant to remind those who should already know and understand that our Heavenly Father's hand is on all who govern in this world; and that includes even the ones who openly profess to not believe in Him. For far too many have been led to believe that all Christians are expected to make this world a better place to live through the enforcement of His Law and other things.
ReplyDelete