What Is A Christian To Do? Part 1

Unless you have been living under that proverbial rock, you are well aware of the fiasco that the so-called Obama-care has created. Politicians who promised competent and common sense representation are using this "political football" like children in a  play ground to bring the other-side to its knees by way of the Federal Budget.

There is no doubt that are a lot of things broken in Washington D. C. To say this might be stateing not only the obvious but just might be the understatement of the year. The political system is broken, the budget is broken, morality in politics is  broken, and our country suffers. 

The problem is not the broken political system nor the debt ceiling nor even Obama-care. The Human Race is broken. The problem is actually deeper and more serious than being merely broken. The Human Race [apart from those in Christ] is dead in trespasses and sins. Imperfect, fallible, and fallen men/women are sinners, captivated by darkness, and blind to the true light. And they are in charge!

Whose fault is that? Well, one could make the case that those who voted these sinners into positions of authority are to blame. But let's think about it for a moment.

Proverbs 21:1 reads "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever it pleaseth him." (Prov 21:1, Geneva Bible, 1599)

 Never forget that the Lord God Almighty is in charge. He is absolutely Sovereign. He sets up, or places in power and He tears down those in power as He sees fit. 

Nothing takes Him by surprise. There is nothing nor no one who is greater than Him. There is nothing nor no one who can tharwt His divine decree.

God established government

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (Romans 13:1)

The Duty of Citizens

"...then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21)

"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work." (Titus 3:1)

"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well." (1 Peter 2:13-14)

"Honor all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King." (1 Peter 2:17)

"Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people." (Exodus 22:28)

And if it needs to be said that I am not advocating blind obedience in every and all things that government dictates then you really don't know me or you have no valid argument and have chosen to stand on a slippery slope attacking a straw man. I should not have to say that we as Christians are not obligated to disobey or disregard the revealed commandments of God.

The Command to Pray for Leaders

"I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For Kings, and [for] all that are in authority..." (1 Timothy 2:1)

It is our duty as citizens to pray for those in government. This includes "those on the other-side." It includes those whom we think are amoral, immoral, imbecilic, dishonest, and or partisan.

Tomorrow in part 2, Lord willing, we shall look at those things that we should pray for and how we are to pray for those who are in authority. Lord willing, see ya then!