Romans 13:1 "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."
I know many of us are in sorrow after this presidential election, and while I am certainly no master of politics, I do know that God's word is true. We can always have faith in God's word - God is never changing and all-knowing. I felt an urge to open my bible to Romans today, and the verse written above was the very first thing I saw. I am not going to get into varying opinions about either of the candidates; instead I am going to share God's love, God's hope, and God's sovereignty.
God clearly states that those appointed in positions of power have been put there by God himself. Why Trump? I have no idea, but I will trust in the almighty God. God is BIGGER. He has plans that must be administered through this particular person, a sinner like all of us. God has a purpose larger than what our human minds can comprehend.
Romans chapter 13 continues, stating in verse 2, "Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
That is quite a heavy verse. God declares that we must not rebel, or break laws, against the person(s) in power, for He has put them there. Doing so would be rebelling against God, for we would not be placing our trust in the Creator. We as humans cannot see ahead to the plans God has in His will - we must obey our sovereign Lord and have FAITH that His love and light will prevail.
Later in Romans 13:8-10 is stated, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not covet,' and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
Within the same chapter of Romans, Paul spoke of respecting authority and loving those around us. This is not coincidence - God had him write in this way. So as we come into new presidency, God commands us to have faith in Him, the authority He has put into place, and most importantly to love. We are called to love everyone around us! By loving, we are portraying the faith we have in our sovereign king, Jesus Christ. He died a sinless man out of the love He has for us in order to save us from our sins -where do we even find any right not to love? Hate has been portrayed on both political sides. We are all sinful humans, none better than the next. Love your neighbor; we are called as Christians to do so.
John 13:35 "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
Galations 5:14 "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
