Paul's Political Message

I know a lot of Christians who are afraid of what may come in the next 4 years. They are afraid that Biblical morality will continue to disintegrate in this country. They are afraid that their religious freedoms will continue to be threatened, and maybe even expunged. While I think it is essential that we continue to protest the abandonment of God in America, I also think we need to remember a few truths.

Here's what Paul says:

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Romans 13:1 (NASB)

Note the complexity of that last sentence. Paul is making two points:

1) God is the source of all authority; it is all His.
2) If anyone is in a position of authority, he is there because God put him there.

This verse tells me that God controls who gets to control us as a nation. We need to be perfectly clear that President Barack Obama is an authority that has been established by God. As much as we like to pride ourselves on our democratic process, when it comes down to it, God picks our leaders for His purposes (which go far beyond off-shore drilling and health care reform).

And God is trustworthy.

We don't have to understand why God is choosing to use Obama to bring us 4-8 years closer to Christ's return; we just have to accept and respect that He is. We can then choose to either rest in Him or worry futilely.

I think it is also important for Christians to keep in mind that just because God is giving the most liberal senator He could find authority over the country, that doesn't mean Obama has a free pass to promote anti-Biblical agendas (of which he has a few). Hebrews 13:17 says, "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account." God will hold Obama personally responsible for every piece of legislation he signs.

Only the Lord and Barack know if he truly loves Jesus Christ. If he does, we can support our future president by praying for the Holy Spirit to guide him in his decision making and to raise red flags in his mind when he is in danger of using his authority for evil instead of good. If Barack doesn't have a personal relationship with Jesus, then he is in even more desperate need of our prayers for his salvation. There is infinitely more power in prayers like these than in worrying about the demise of the country.