On November 6, we will elect a president for the next four years. For some
of you, it will mean that "your guy" won. For some, it will mean that
"your guy" lost. I want to speak to all of you before that day, and
remind you that at the end of the day, one of these men will be your president,
and that means you are called to respect him because of the office, even if you
didn’t vote for him. We’ve lost sight of this in our culture. I remember that
at the lead up to the 2008 election, I was listening to a news report, and the
reporter referred to the president as Mr. Bush, rather than President Bush, and
was sharply critical of the president. Soon after that, I heard a local talk
show personality from a different perspective state that if one political
candidate won, he would not call that candidate president, and do everything
that he could to see that this man’s presidential agenda was undermined.
In the last four years, things have gotten worse, not better. We have an
ever increasing lack of civility in our political dialogue, as both sides of
the cultural and political spectrums have become less and less civil and
considerate. Both sides act badly, and both sides forget that we are called to
respect the office even if we do not like the man. As Christians we must act
and speak differently. As citizens of a higher kingdom, we are called to live
differently. Scripture makes this clear.
For example, Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:17,
Show proper respect to
everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."
Paul writes in Romans 13:1-7 to Christians living under Caesar that
"Everyone
must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority
except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been
established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring
judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but
for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in
authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's
servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear
the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment
on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not
only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is
also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their
full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay
taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then
honor.
Stern stuff. Let’s apply these verses. How do we react to the election of
the candidate we didn't vote for? By humbly acknowledging that this is the
person that God has placed over us, and by being subject to laws that are in
place, and the ones that will get passed into law. The early Christians lived in
a very different system than we live in today. Instead of free elections,
Caesar's came to power through cunning and intrigue. The people had no say in
their government. Yet, despite the fact that the system was flawed, Romans
pointedly reminds us that we should submit to those who rule over us. They are
in this position because it was instituted by God, and the next president will
be in that position because it was instituted by God that they would win.
Christians, respect your leader. Love him hate him. Respect him. Do not
forget that ultimately, he has been appointed by God, and as he governs he is
due the respect and honor of his office. We may not like him, and we may be
glad when his term is over, but we must honor him. If you struggle with this,
know that I do too. But nevertheless, as we seek to live as followers of Christ
and respond with gratitude to his saving grace, I say to you, and to myself,
honor and respect the president, obey the president, pray for the president.
For he is God's servant.
