“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.”—Romans 13:1
This year America
will elect its next president, and as one of the world’s leading industrialized
nations of the world who leads our nation is important. Millions of dollars are being spent on media advertisements
to sway the populace to vote for one candidate or another. Your country may have a different governmental
structure or style. But all, from
dictatorships to democracies, have this in common: their leaders have been
given their positions of power by the Lord (Daniel 2:21).
From a Biblical point of view,
everyone with political authority is a servant of God for the good of that
society. “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). While the Lord will hold the
political leader accountable for how they govern, His Word also details the
Christian's responsibilities as a citizen.
As believers, we should be
law-abiding. God's children are expected to obey even if the issue is paying
taxes. “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
13:7).
The Apostle Paul exhorted the Church to pray for all people, for kings and all who are in authority—government officials. He indicated a two-fold purpose in our praying for government officials. The first is, so that we can live in peace, godliness and dignity. Secondly, God desires people everywhere to be saved and to come into the knowledge of truth. “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” (1 Timothy 2: 1- 4).
We can influence our government
through righteous prayers and actions. Jesus
called His followers, in Matthew 5:13, "the
salt of the earth", because salt changes the flavor of whatever it
touches. Salt is also known as a healing
agent, as well as, a preservative. God
can bring health to a nation through citizens whose first priority is
allegiance to the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords—Jesus Christ.
