Trump, Government, Christianity

The apostle Paul was by all standards the most highly educated of all the apostles. He says so himself and the other apostle agreed. Paul never used the knowledge he had to flaunt his apostleship. In fact he would down grade his formal education in the Old Testament and Jewish law as a detriment to his ministry. Paul knew that the knowledge from the Spirt of the Lord and Jesus Christ was the true knowledge and education of his ministry.

I started this blog or argument with the Apostle Paul, because he is the apostle that speaks the most about being a Christian and obeying the government that we live under. I know I will not turn many heads or minds, but I feel that I should write this article. I want to show that maybe some of the faithful in this country are looking at the Trump presidency with the wrong attitude and perspective.

"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. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will comment you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience." Romans 13: 1-5 NIV

First, Paul starts his instructions to the Roman Christians that we all must submit to the governing authorities because this authorities is put in place and instituted by God. In fact, Paul goes so far as to say that there isn't any authority not established by God. Let's step back and digest that for a minute. So, Paul is saying that Napoleon, Cyprus of the Persians, King George III and any head of a country or state is put there because of God. The answer is yes. The reasons why are not always available for us to understand, even when we are looking back on history. The only answer a Christian can give is it is God's will. I must obey my governing authority.

The three examples I give from history are each different, but important in the way the Lord moves history. After Napoleon, the European continent became more organized into nation states. Cyprus was the King that gave the order for the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. King George III was the king of England under which the American revolution started and we formed the United States. God has established his leaders for a purpose.

The next statement by Paul is the warning about not obeying the authority He GOD has established. If a person rebels against that authority established by God is rebelling against God. God has also given that government authority to punish those who do not obey and follow the authority put in place by God.

In our country and with the freedoms and rights we have the language to obey the authority established by God, but we need to put a lot of space between all the letters of obey: if you know what I mean.

We can criticize, give advice, and not agree with the representative we have in place. But even in our constitutional republic and in God's Word there is a limit. We have laws in place so no one can go too far with criticism. Verbal and physical threats are against the law and could give jail time to the offender.

I think as Christians in our walk to be more each day like Jesus, we have to look deeper into the meaning of disobedience. "love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:19b NIV "But I tell you; Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44 NIV "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement." Matthew 5:22 NIV "But I tell you; Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44 NIV "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14 NIV

We Christians walk a thin line with the talk and criticism of our Politicians. We can disagree with them, we can offer advice, we can have discussion on the wrong or right we think they are doing for our country. The one point that is apparent in the words from Paul in Romans and the verses form

Jesus in Matthew is we must not forget the respect and love.

We are to love our representatives, governors, senators, and president as our neighbor. We need to pray for them constantly and with the will of God in mind. If we feel they have wronged us we need to forgive them and pray that they do no more ill will. Finally, any evil and contempt toward that person should not came from our being, remember he is a person sent by God for this moment on earth. We can not always see the rhyme or reason why the Lord puts certain people in place, but trust in the Lord that His ways will make sense.

Trump is truly the title of this article or blog I was urged to write. I do mean the word urge. I slept and prayed many nights about writing this. I know many out in this country are and say they are Christians and follow Jesus, but are you walking with Jesus if you hate and want to get rid of the person that GOD put in the oval office at this time. Trump has only been in office for a short time, pray for him, pray for our country, and pray for the safety of the people protecting Trump and his Cabinet. Threats are being made and there is a part of this country I have my doubts about. Please do not be a part of that group.

I pray that the Lord be with us all as we go through these times of change. Pray for the right of the truth to win out and our country can be safe and strong again. Pray that the Lord's will be done.