As you are already aware, our nation is divided on two candidates. Just about anyone you ask has a very deep conviction for who they are voting for. There is an attitude floating around as if no one knows what they will do if their candidate doesn’t win. We are scared for our future. With all this being said, let’s take a look at how we should approach politics and the attitude we should have towards our next president. It is critical to obtain a Christian attitude, especially if the next president happens to be a candidate we didn’t vote for.
Submission
We have 2 options when it comes to our attitude towards our next president. We can either despise him or her and speak ill about them for the next 4 years, or we can accept it and be in a state of submission.
1 Peter 2:13-17 (NIV)
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. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Right here we have a perfect example of how we, as Christians, should behave towards our leaders. Many times people are thrown off by this passage; the concept of submission is hard for us, and so often we feel that we could do things better.
The emperor that Paul is referring to here was a man named Nero. He was ruthless towards Christians, and many were persecuted by him. This leaves us with no excuse when it comes to our next president.
Unity
When we aren’t in a state of submission, one of the things we tend to do is to talk badly about our leaders. This only makes matters worse, and causes division between us and other people.
Titus 3:1-2 (ESV)
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
We should bring peace to this world, not add tension by the way we talk about others, especially our leaders.
Prayer
Sometimes we feel that by complaining and speaking ill of our leaders, we are helping the problem in a small way, but that simply isn’t true. Thankfully there is a way for us to settle our governmental insecurities.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Prayer is the best way for us to help our nation. Unfortunately, this is something we don’t do enough today. Every time we feel the need to talk negatively let’s remember to just simply say a prayer instead.
No matter what happens in this election, it is our calling as Christians to submit to our leaders and strive for unity. Let us all remember who our true king is.
Psalm 22:28 (ESV)
For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.
