-November 6, 2022-
Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”
(Romans 13:1-2)
With an election coming up on Tuesday for many people across the country, it is a good time to remind ourselves of our responsibilities toward those running for office and those in office. In our text we find the word “authority,” used three times. Though we vote, it is God who appoints our leaders. It doesn’t mean that our elected officials are perfect. No one is perfect, not even us. Like in all professions, there are good ones and bad ones, and many in between.
There are three Scriptural responsibilities we have toward those who rule over us: to pray for them, to honor them, and to pay taxes and customs to them. These things are true whether we like them or not, and whether we voted for them or not. Some us are Republicans, some are Democrats, and some are either Independents or belongs to a small party.
1. Pray for them – Paul makes this very clear in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, He wrote, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” We should pray for them and thank the Lord for them. We gain the benefit and blessing of living quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
2. Honor them – God wants us to honor and obey our rulers. Peter wrote, “Honor all people, love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17). First we fear God and put Him first in all things; then we honor the king. We must do both or God will not be pleased. There are some Christians who go beyond voting and can become too involved in politics. It can take their time away from church and serving the Lord, which is sad.
3. Pay taxes and customs – The Bible clearly says in Romans 13:6-7, “For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” Jesus taught this and apostles confirmed it. When the Jewish leaders asked Jesus, “Tell us, therefore, is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” He asked them whose image was on the Roman coins, they replied that it was Caesar. He then told them “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (See Matthew 22:15-21).
Let us then pray for our leaders, honor them, and pay our taxes and customs to them. God will be pleased and honor us with quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day and exercise your suffrage on Tuesday. Stay safe and healthy.
Fearing God and honoring our public officials,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 