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| Future President? |
I mean, just think about it for a second: say Donald Trump actually does become president? ...for me, that would be like the epitome of a great excuse to want to forget about any notion of government altogether; and rebel against any mandate that such a terrible ruler may impose... "God is my only King!" "Jesus is my only authority!" "I'm not an American, I'm a Christian!" "My only citizenship is in Heaven!" might be some of my natural (and almost legitimate) reactions that I may have in lieu of putting up with such a ridiculous demagogue as Donald Trump.
Yet while my primary citizenship is in Heaven (true statement), and while Jesus does remain being my ultimate authority (true story); Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1 that "First of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings must be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions." ...It's like despite all the revolutionary implications that come along with the gospel (among which we are now part of another kingdom that is not of this world (John 18:36)); Paul keeps us in check by saying that we should still pray for our politicians. And, well, even if these guys or girls are pretty terrible people - well, our primary goal in life shouldn't be to usurp the worldly governments in which they preside. Rather, I think that we need to pray for such leaders, with the wonderful purpose of being able to lead "peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way"(v.2)...
Why in the world would we want to do that? ...well, verse 4 tells us - and it's because God desires that "all people be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
See, that's the ultimate priority. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is revolutionary enough. We don't need to go nuts in starting political revolutions in hopes of creating better worldly governments - we need to focus on our highest calling, which is namely pointing all men and women everywhere to the only mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all (v.5-6a).
...As of now I would say we need to keep praying for Barack Obama for instance - for his own salvation and for wisdom - as he governs the United States in his last few months in office... Also, we need to get out there and vote for the best president who will enable us to lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way... And even if say, my favorite candidate doesn't win (or even if, say, my least favorite one does), I'm still going to pray for whoever that man or woman may be, with the indisputable intention that the gospel of Jesus Christ may go forth into all the world and save every single man and woman alive... including Donald Trump.
And that's my stance.
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Picture Cited: Donald Trump
This is great man! It made me realize, I've never looked at Trump or the US's political situation right now with a biblical perspective, and that it is so much more comforting knowing that God has overcome the world, and knowing that we are making the biggest difference we can make by following God's command of praying for our leaders. Thank you for this. "peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way" cool, really cool. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIf we read about the history of Israel in the Bible, we see many situations in which faithful people wondered why God allowed rulers to rule who seemed completely opposed to God's principles. In Habakkuk, the prophet finds it hard to understand why God was allowing the idol-worshiping Babylonians to take over control of the known world.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we Christians today think that God's plan could not possibly go forward if the wrong leaders are elected. But His plans are far more durable than any human leader or government. We need to trust in Him.