Presidential election aftermath
I am struggling with the current United States president. I have always respected our political process and voted my conscience. I see the unrest and apparent bigotry of the current administration and their appointees. I know that we are all sinful but it seems to me that Jesus led by example to feed the poor and care for the sick. How can we support someone who seems so unchristian in his attitude and policies? Are we expected to support the Republican Party simply because they don't believe in abortion, regardless of how they act in so many other areas?
After every election there are happy and unhappy people: the candidates and their supporters. After every election there are opportunities for those who won and those who lost to be gracious and kind to each other. After every election there are occasions for us to remember not only the eighth commandment but the fourth commandment.
The fourth commandment teaches us that God has representatives in three areas of our lives: the home, the church and the government. It goes without saying that God’s representatives in all these areas may represent him well, or they may misrepresent him. God’s will is that we honor him by honoring and respecting his representatives (Colossians 3:20; Hebrews 13:7, 17; Romans 13:7). God’s will is that we obey his representatives—unless they command a course of action that is contrary to what God says in his word (Acts 5:29). If we disagree with a person in office or the person’s policies, we can express that disagreement in proper channels that are available to us.
God’s will for you and me goes beyond political parties. God’s will is that we honor his representatives in government with obedience and respect. Consider what God said through the apostle Paul: “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. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2). Note what God said through the apostle Peter: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right…honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:13-14, 17).
The main person of authority of the Roman Empire when those apostles penned their words was Nero. He was definitely no friend of Christians; his atrocities against them are well documented. Yet, the directives of “be subject” and “honor” applied even to him—not because his life or actions generated respect, but because he filled a seat of authority God had established.
In addition to those passages, consider what God said through the apostle Paul’s first letter to Timothy: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—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 people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Whether or not we voted for a candidate, whether or not a government official reflects our faith, we want to pray for them.
Here is such a prayer from our hymnal: “Lord of all nations, I praise you for the blessings you have showered on my country. Guide and guard your representatives in government as they care for the needs of all citizens. Give them wisdom to rule our society with honesty and justice, that we may have peace in our lives and opportunities to witness to your love. Amen.” Let’s offer prayers like that regularly.