"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished." ~Romans 13:1-2 (NLT)
Politics, politics everywhere...I can't turn around without seeing a commercial, billboard, getting an email forward, or seeing cartoons on facebook having to do with our current leadership or the upcoming election. At least 90% of these are all some sort of slander or ill comment toward the other party, or person. In complete honesty, sometimes I think they are really funny or they are true and I used to pass them on, until I began to study this chapter in Romans. I think I read these first couple of verses over about 5 times and really felt convicted about being a part of the trash talk and jokes. Who am I to make jokes and slander our authorities that God has placed in leadership? I should be praying for them and the decisions they are making since God has delegated them to be where they are. It's a job that I would not be able to do or want!
As Christians, we lead by example. So how is it that we constantly walk around, speaking negative about our current government leaders? There is a difference between opinion and slander/judgment. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we shouldn't have an opinion or a choice, because I absolutely think we do! President Obama is our president for a reason and according to this verse - God has placed him in this authoritative position. I am not too proud of my example when I forward these trashy emails or cartoons and the longer repercussion of actually engaging in these activities.
I have been learning a great deal about sowing and reaping. "7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." ~Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV) Our words are like fiery darts. We are speaking and sowing curses over our government and our nation without even realizing it. I don't want to reap the product of curses I am speaking over others. Now with technology, I am sending curses with the click of a keyboard. To think that something so tiny can become something so huge and come back to us is scary!
As a Christ - follower, I am called to speak and pray - truth, life, and blessings over those around me AND those in authority. When I am making judgment on our government, I am basically saying that God made a mistake by ordaining these authorities. When I choose to rebel against any authority, then I am rebelling against God. I don't want to rebel against God or insinuate that He is making mistakes (because I know He isn't)!
As Christians, we should be constantly speaking blessings over our government and praying for them. We should pray that they face each day with the Armor of God, with Godly wisdom, and pray blessings over them. We should pray that God gives them vision and they can hear His voice. Then we should pray for the future of our nation, that our future leaders are hand-picked, blessed, and ordained by God! We aren't called to judge but we are called to pray. I would like to reap blessings, how about you? "Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." ~James 3:18
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me so much that you have and will place the correct people over me at work, in government, and all around me in my everyday life. Lord, I repent of speaking negativity and slander against my leaders and authorities and ask for your forgiveness. Please help me to remember to pray for my government and my leaders, and to sow seeds of righteousness every day in my life. Father, bless our president, nation and state governments and authorities with wisdom and protection.
In Jesus's Name,
Amen.
