As Americans we love contests and spend billions of dollars in their honor. We wear shirts with the names of our teams and favorite players proudly as a testament of our commitment to them. My teams bear the names such as Mountaineers, Red Sox, and Patriots. I am certain no one in their offices knows me or worries about my commitment. Once, I wore my New England Patriots hat and sweatshirt into the midst of Heinz Field when we beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Someone asked me if I was going to do this and I said, "A man of faith has no fear!" After the game when some of the Steeler fans were feeling no pain as a result of beer, I did take it off. A man of faith does have wisdom!
Another contest here in America comes every two and four years. This is not the Olympics but the contest of politics. Whether our team name is Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, or even Independent, we spend billions of dollars and cover our cars with the name of our "quarterback" who we hope will lead this country. We attend rallies and we then go to a place to cast a ballot for our "team".
But for the Christian who happens to be also an American, we have another set of standards by which to operate. We may have an R or a D after our name, but we certainly have the name Christ attached to us and his standards should supersede any party. Paul says in Romans 13 "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." . The authorities that exist have been established by God..." He continues to tell us leaders are to punish those who do wrong and we should submit to them as a matter of conscience.
Two people who decided not to run are Governor Huckabee and Donald Trump. There were cheers and saddness for their decisions. However Governor Huckabee said his decision came during the quiet of a prayerful search. Our family prayers for our President to make right decisions even though we did not vote for him. However, according to the same passage of Romans we are to give honor and respect to who it is due because they are God's servant.
In the Old Testament the kings of Israel either followed after God or followed their own desires. Both were given to God's nation for prosperity and punishment. If we as political Christian's as Mike Huckabee and prayed, we might be able to vote according to God's wisdom. However, when we seek only our interests, we will vote based upon our pocketbooks, our selfish desires of governmental entitlements, and the power and position of the governing party.
When I was in seminary Jerry Falwell and others denounced Bill Clinton with a savageness which bothered me in light of Romans 13. How do we as Americans balance God's word and our rights of political redress at the ballot box? We do so in a matter which glorifies God. We do not take part of the contest which seeks to destroy the person instead the disagreement of his policies. We stand up for life--all life--the unborn and the elderly and all those in between. We support these leaders by prayer and respect even when we disagree with them. They are still God's servants. Rebellion against them is a rebellion against God. God knows who will win and if you believe he as already selected who will be in office, then we need to look why. Is God going to punish us or prosper us? Then we really need to pray.
Our nation will continue to slide into being a country of no value unless we get our nation back to honoring God. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." 2 Chronicles 7:14-15
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