Barack Obama ran his campaign promising change. Will he be able to deliver as he intended? Honestly, only time will tell. However, there is no doubt his election has brought change to our nation. For the first time in our history we have elected an African-American to the presidency. In addition, our president will no longer be a republican, but rather a democrat. Barack Obama is not only representing a different party but an entirely different philosophy. For some that is awesome. For others it is not. Regardless of personal views, He is the president-elect and will take office on January 20, 2009 and he deserves our support and loyalty. As a Christian my responsibility is even greater.
What is the responsibility of Christians in regards to our president and other elected officials? The Bible is very clear on our duty as Christ followers as it pertains to those who are "over us". It must be pointed out that the Biblical truths apply to every believer regardless of political affiliation or personal views.
The apostle Paul righting to the early Christians in Rome wrote these words. "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor." (Romans 13:1-7 NKJV) Paul states to resist the authority is the equivalent of resisting God and that those who do will bring judgment on themselves.
Paul is not writing this to a group of people who are jubilant with the authority that is in power. He is not writing to people who have the privilege to vote. In fact, he is writing to a persecuted people who are being killed and publicly humiliated for their faith in Christ. Yet despite these horrendous actions that are being carried out, Paul says pray for your leader because "there is no authority except from God".
I am in no way trying to equate the election of Barack Obama as our 44th president to the authorities of the Roman Empire. That would be absurd. My purpose is simply to point out Paul's teaching that says give allegiance to those God has established as the leader.
Paul not only teaches us to submit to our leaders but also that we should pray for leaders. He writes in I Timothy 2:1-4 - "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."(NKJV) We are to pray for our leaders so we might live a life of peace. Paul says this is pleasing to God.
What if I do not ascribe to the same philosophy as the leader or our convictions are not the same? Again, let's allow Scripture to instruct us. I Samuel 24 is the account of Saul pursuing David in order to kill him. But shortly into the quest, Saul unknowingly puts himself into a vulnerable position where David could have killed him. Instead of seizing his good fortune, David chooses not to harm his leader because Saul as the king is the Lord's anointed. I Samuel 24:6-7 record for us David's words. "And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.” So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way."
As a Christian my marching orders are clear, I am to pray for the leader of my nation. I am to obey him as long as he does not ask me to disobey the teaching of Scripture. Do you desire to live a life that is peaceful and quiet? Obey the Word! Do you want to live a life that is pleasing to God? Obey the directives of Scripture!
