Props To The Prez

UNSHAKEABLE: “Everyone” is obliged under God’s rule to submit to earthly authorities. Whether it is the president or the policeman, city councilmen or congressman, democrat or republican, charismatic governor or senile senator, through the process that gave them their role God has granted these officials the authority to lead you. In light of that, God expects you to “give them what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Rom 13:7) Let me repeat Paul: if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor! So come on people, give the president his or her props — the proper respect God expects from you, if for nothing else, the office he or she holds. I understand that you may not like the president, or governor, or dog catcher — Paul never said you had to — but they are God’s servant. (Rom 4:4) And if you choose to rebel against the authority the office represents, then you might as well shake your fist in the face of God, because that is, in effect what you are doing.

Unshakeable Living // Romans 13:1

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.

“Everyone” is obliged under God’s rule to submit to earthly authorities. So, deal with it, Democrats! Come on, Republicans, respect your president! And just hold on a minute, Independents, you are not exempt from this either!

Whether it is the president or the policeman, city councilmen or congressman, democrat or republican, charismatic governor or senile senator, through the process that gave them their role God has granted these officials the authority to lead you. In light of that, God expects you to “give them what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Rom 13:7) Let me repeat Paul: if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor!

So come on people, give the president his or her props — the proper respect God expects from you, if for nothing else, the office he or she holds. I understand that you may not like the president, governor, or dog catcher — Paul never said you had to — but they are God’s servants. (Rom 4:4) And if you choose to rebel against the authority the office represents, then you might as well shake your fist in the face of God, because that is, in effect what you are doing. Really? Yes! Look at what Paul says in the next verse:

He who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Rom 13:2)

By now, depending on what party you roll with, you may be quite irritated with what I am saying. That’s okay … I’m used to it. You might even be thinking that these seven verses in Romans 13 may just be the one and only place in Scripture that is not divinely inspired; that Paul took leave of his senses at this point and wandered off the theological reservation when he wrote about respecting and obeying governmental leaders.

Sorry, that doesn’t cut it. These verses are Bible, which means that they are inspired and that you are accountable for them. Like it or not, you and I will one day stand before God and give account for every idle word (Matt 12:36) that we speak against the politicians that somehow — Lord only knows — got put into leadership over us. So be careful! Be respectful. And remember that ultimately, their authority derives from God’s authority, and they, too, are not just accountable to the voting public, but to God himself.

Having said that, there are ways to redress grievances with governmental authorities. In the USA there is a democratic process for electing and removing leaders, and Christians ought to be actively, aggressively, and unashamedly engaged in that process. Furthermore, believers are never, ever expected to obey a leader or a law that violates God’s higher law. (Ex 1:17, Acts 4:19) Should that happen, you and I are given permission by God to speak truth to power, resist — non-violently and respectfully, of course, never injuring our Christian witness — and be ready to go to jail, if not the gallows, for our faith.

But by and large, the most common and persistent response our Christian faith calls for in terms of our relationship to governmental authorities is prayer.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:1-4)

Pray for the president — you gotta be kidding? Submit to his authority — are you nuts? Give props to a guy or gal I don’t respect a whole lot — get real! Well, think about this: Paul words here in Romans 13 were written around AD 57 when a guy named Nero was emperor of Rome. Nero was not a nice guy — especially to Christians. (You might want to do a little reading in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs: http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Books,%20Tracts%20&%20Preaching/Printed%20Books/FBOM/fbom-chap_02.htm)

So here’s the deal: If Paul could do it, so can you!