Election Day
Today is Election Day in Peru. A new President will be chosen by the people.
Some Peruvians fear that a less-than-democratic candidate may win. Others fear that neither candidate is a good selection. Other citizens fear a return of terrorism to the country.
There are various things to remember on this Election Day in Peru, especially with regard to Christians and government.
First, it's important to remember that Christianity can flourish under any type of government. It doesn't matter if it's left-wing or right-wing, democratic or authoritarian, inclusive or oppressive. No government is stronger than the love of God for His people. Remember that Jesus' earthly ministry occurred at the time of the Roman Empire, and the Roman authorities were hardly known as leaders who were "people-friendly."
It's also important to remember the words of Paul and Peter in the New Testament. Paul, in Romans 13:1, says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." In 1 Peter 2:13-14, Peter says, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, 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."
Paul wrote his words under a Roman Empire which would persecute him, jail him, and ultimately execute him.
Peter wrote his words when Nero was Emperor. Nero was notorious for persecuting Christians. He crucified them, used them as human torches, and fed them to the lions.
And yet both men tell us to submit to government authorities, even though both men also suffered greatly at the hands of said authorities. The only exception carved out for us is that uttered by Peter and the other apostles in Acts 5:29, when they said, "We must obey God rather than men!"
So what do we do when we don't like those in authority over us? What do Peruvians do if their favorite candidate doesn't win? 1 Timothy 2:1-4 gives us the answer. Paul tells Timothy to pray "for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives ... This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved ...."
So we need to pray for our leaders - even when we don't like them or agree with them or their policies. We need to pray for our Presidents, Prime Ministers, members of Congress, members of Parliament, governors, mayors, and all others that God has permitted to rule over us. We need to pray for the salvation of each leader, and that each leader will look to God for guidance in every decision which he or she makes. If the leader is not acting or governing in a Christ-like manner, then we should pray that he or she has a Road-to-Damascus experience, just like Saul, resulting in conversion and salvation and a new life in Jesus.
It's time for Christians to complain less, and to pray more, for our leaders.
Some Peruvians fear that a less-than-democratic candidate may win. Others fear that neither candidate is a good selection. Other citizens fear a return of terrorism to the country.
There are various things to remember on this Election Day in Peru, especially with regard to Christians and government.
First, it's important to remember that Christianity can flourish under any type of government. It doesn't matter if it's left-wing or right-wing, democratic or authoritarian, inclusive or oppressive. No government is stronger than the love of God for His people. Remember that Jesus' earthly ministry occurred at the time of the Roman Empire, and the Roman authorities were hardly known as leaders who were "people-friendly."
It's also important to remember the words of Paul and Peter in the New Testament. Paul, in Romans 13:1, says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." In 1 Peter 2:13-14, Peter says, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, 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."
Paul wrote his words under a Roman Empire which would persecute him, jail him, and ultimately execute him.
Peter wrote his words when Nero was Emperor. Nero was notorious for persecuting Christians. He crucified them, used them as human torches, and fed them to the lions.
And yet both men tell us to submit to government authorities, even though both men also suffered greatly at the hands of said authorities. The only exception carved out for us is that uttered by Peter and the other apostles in Acts 5:29, when they said, "We must obey God rather than men!"
So what do we do when we don't like those in authority over us? What do Peruvians do if their favorite candidate doesn't win? 1 Timothy 2:1-4 gives us the answer. Paul tells Timothy to pray "for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives ... This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved ...."
So we need to pray for our leaders - even when we don't like them or agree with them or their policies. We need to pray for our Presidents, Prime Ministers, members of Congress, members of Parliament, governors, mayors, and all others that God has permitted to rule over us. We need to pray for the salvation of each leader, and that each leader will look to God for guidance in every decision which he or she makes. If the leader is not acting or governing in a Christ-like manner, then we should pray that he or she has a Road-to-Damascus experience, just like Saul, resulting in conversion and salvation and a new life in Jesus.
It's time for Christians to complain less, and to pray more, for our leaders.
posted by Stephen Guschov at 12:59 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home