The issue is respect for authority.
"What? I don't struggle with that! That's a teenager problem! You must be confused because you work with teenagers all the time! Adults don't struggle with respect for authority!"
Oh really?
What's the last thing you said about President Obama? What's the last thing you said about Congress?
If you're a conservative like I am, I'm willing to bet it wasn't respectful.
"But they don't deserve our respect! They are wicked men who are ruining our once God-fearing nation! I have a right to speak out against them! You're trying to take away my freedom of speech!"
No, I'm not. Our country is being ruled by wicked men. It's true. As men, you're right, they don't deserve respect. But as the leaders that God put over us they do. The office of President of the United States of America deserves respect no matter who is filling the position. Why? Because God put him there.
Romans 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (emphasis mine)
God didn't wake up the morning after the election and go, "Oh no! How did Barack Obama get to be President? I didn't want that to happen!"
All these men are simply puppets in the hands of God. God sees the big picture. And He has our best interest in mind. These men have no power in and of themselves. It has all been given to them by God.
Why did II Peter bring this to mind? Let's read:
2 Peter 2:9-13 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; (emphasis mine)
These verses stopped me dead in my tracks. These are strongly worded verses! God is reserving the unjust for their punishment. Peter says chiefly (particularly, especially) those who despise government and aren't afraid to "speak evil of dignities." He says even the angels don't rail against them before God. The rest of the description of these wicked people is not pretty. Is that the kind of person we as Christians are supposed to be? Most certainly not.
Well, if God expects us to respect our leaders and He is in total control of who leads us, why do we have such godless leaders? What are we supposed to do? Just tuck our tails between our legs and suffer through it?
No. Timothy has the answer to that:
1Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Our leaders need our prayers. Perhaps one of the reasons we have such godless leaders is because we as Christians have ceased praying for our leaders. We have ceased praying for our country. To be honest, we have ceased praying at all.
So next time you watch the news or read an article or listen to the radio and find out about something that one of our leaders did or said that just makes your blood boil, instead of ranting about it over the phone or on Facebook, why don't you stop and pray for them? Pray for America. Pray for the few godly men who are in government. Pray that God gives them the strength and the power to turn things around. Pray for the salvation of those who are in authority over us. Pray, pray, pray.
Prayer is powerful. It changes things.
Prayer is the change that America truly does need,
********Disclaimer: Because I know that this post is liable to make people mad I want to clarify a few things. I am not saying we should just sit by and let wicked men destroy our country. I'm not saying we should turn a blind eye to what's going on around us. Get educated about our government. Know what's going on. And do what you can to stop the spread of evil. Vote. Call your Senators and Representatives. By all means, do what you can. I'm not saying don't vote wicked men out of office. Just stop the disrespect. Stop the jokes and the slurs. If for no other reason, those don't really accomplish anything anyway.********
I am commenting. Because you asked me to.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what to comment about.
I think you're right. On most everything.
And I also don't see how you got all the deep thinking of the family. I couldn't have written this in a million years.