The question that has come up repeatedly over the last few days (since Tuesday night, to be exact) is whether God ordains all rulers. I really am not sure about that, but here are some things I know/have researched/have discussed with others:
God definitely ordain some rulers, although I am not sure if it's all of them. Here's an interesting blog about that topic that says simply "God ordains worldly leaders, but not every leader is ordained of God." You'll have to read it and decide for yourself.
Romans 13:1-7 says:
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
So whether or not we think our new leader is "ordained by God" or is the "right choice," Christians are commanded to honor and respect him. I fully understand how hard this is and I have been struggling with that realization all week.
And lastly, we shouldn't be worrying about things. I found this article of 4 reasons not to worry. Regardless of what happens in our country, if we are Christians, we belong to Christ and we have hope in Him!
I'll just throw in a couple of extra verses that were in Fellowship Church's bulletin this past Sunday regarding the government/election: I Timothy 2:1-2, Matthew 22:21, and II Chronicles 7:14.
Please join be in praying for our future leaders and our country!
1 comment:
Well said. I know a lot of people are worrying right now about how everything is going to turn out, on both sides of the political spectrum, but all we can do is pray for our country and for our leaders and take an active role in affecting change in the issues we feel most strongly about.
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