1 Timothy 2:1-3, Romans 13:1-2, Romans 13:9-14

Jamie Anderson

I intentionally waited until after the US elections to finish writing this Life File for one reason alone. Many, myself included, are either rejoicing or recovering over the fact that President Obama has another 4 years in office and irrespective of that, God is always in control and He already has everything sorted out.

As I read over social media, even commented a few times myself, I am overwhelmed by the words being used to communicate how people feel about the 2012 US Presidential Election. Personally, there is nothing about President Obama that excites me, inspires me or encourages me and I was sincerely hoping for him to not be re-elected, none-the-less, he has! Now I realize some who read this may instantly be tempted to stop reading. Don't. This is not my attempt to use this platform for my personal views but to point us all toward the Bible's perspective on those in authority and the One who gives authority - God.

The Bible is clear about the fact that we are to pray for those in leadership and authority and I would challenge anyone reading this to consider who it is that you should be praying for. Who are the leaders or people of authority in your world? Do you pray for them, irrespective of whether you agree with all they do or not? Do you lift them up to God, petitioning His will for them, praying wisdom, protection and provision for their lives or do you pray "your" will for their lives?

It's hard to pray for someone we don't spiritually, naturally, socially, politically or economically agree with - but praying for those in authority isn't about what we want them to do, it's about what God wants us to do.

"First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior," 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (Amplified)

We are to submit to the leading of those in government. Romans 13:1-2 says "All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves."

I'm still working on how I apply this to my own life. Even more so after this year's election results.

Further on in Romans 13, verses 9-14 (Amplified) it says:
"The commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet (have an evil desire), and any other commandment, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. Love does no wrong to one's neighbor [it never hurts anybody]. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law. Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah). The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy. But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts)."

If we truly believe in obedience to God's word and acknowledge that He is in control of all things, then maybe we should trust Him with our "all" and be willing to do whatever He asks. Our responsibility is to honour Him by honouring those who are placed in leadership and authority over us. And by honouring them I mean we must be willing to love and pray for them.