Monday, November 5, 2012

God and Government

This post is derived from one of my comments on my Daily Focus Page. With all the political "stuff" going on I figured it would be appropriate to post.  It seems that for every election, presidential especially, people tend to get all worked up.  "My view is the best view" is the common attitude among the population.  Who says?  What if all yours and their views were a waste of time, and what is planned by God is going to happen regardless if you are kicking and screaming about it?  Why get all worked up?  I mean, does it really, for real, do any good for you to get your blood pressure shooting through the roof?  There are probably alot of heart attacks and strokes around this time I year, I would imagine.  My Daily Focus scripture reference is on Romans 13:1-7, which Paul addresses submission to government.  In this reference, Paul is actually talking to the Romans under the rule of Nero and we see his practicality and logic in this manner:

 "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.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.  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." (Romans 13:1-7)

This is good news for us who are willing to submit to God.  Think about this logic, if you are unwilling to submit to an earthly authority (whom you can see),  how much more would you not listen to a spiritual authority (whom you cannot see)?  God has placed earthly authority over us, however, Jesus is the "King of kings" and the "Lord of lords" as it is written.  That means that we worship Him, and He will tell us what to do.  Therefore, we worship God and submit to earthly authority, not worship earthly authority.  There is a huge difference in the two that I will discuss in another post.  So, the good news is there is practicality with God if you want it regarding this matter.  Have fun voting!

 

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