Wednesday Night Service

Last night at church we had one of our deacons share the message. The pastor was under the weather and asked Cecil to fill in for him.

I am always amazed when pastors and preachers are afraid to confront real issues that all of us potentially face (or at least might be tempted by) in our lives (drinking, sexual impurity, abortion, lying, stealing, etc). We all know they are wrong, but the world is working hard to dilute that Truth. Well, Cecil wasn't afraid and hit straight on the upcoming election and our responsibility as Christian citizens of the USA. He used texts out of Romans 13 and I Peter to show some of what we are commanded as Christians with regard to government. He stressed obedience to the government and our leaders. His basic premise is that even though God selects who will serve and what forms of government exist we have a responsibility as Christians to be active and to vote for the candidate who most closely reflects our world view.

I'm not convinced that God does select all of the world's leaders but I do recognize and take comfort in knowing that He is ultimately in control of all things. Having said that I also know that He allows us to make mistakes and make poor choices and even sometimes suffer the consequences of those decisions. When I consider Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Mao and others of their ilk, I cringe to think that God would select them as leaders of any country. But, I do recognize my very limited scope of view and understanding of the big picture. I do know that He is in control and how He accomplishes His will is a mystery and beyond my ability to fully comprehend. I'm still not convinced that He selects all leaders though. In I Samuel 8 the people of Israel called out for a king and the Lord told them not to want a king because he would...

"11 "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle [b] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day."

The Lord finally did as they wished and appointed a King over them. And indeed in Old Testament times the Lord did set up the kings of Israel but I don't see any evidence of Him selecting all of the leaders of all of the nations in the world. There are examples of Him using leaders who were not obedient to Him in spite of their wickedness (Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, etc) but not examples (that I could find) of Him choosing leaders outside of Israel. But the Bible is clear that we are to be obedient to the government. Jesus gave the ultimate example of that when He was obedient and even died on the cross submitting to the authority of a worldly kingdom. I guess if my Lord and Savior (who reigns and rules over all) can submit to a worldly kingdom what argument can I give to not do likewise. Obedience to the government doesn't mean not trying to change it for the better though. So if you think that the 2 party system we currently have is working and you have a real choice this Fall then simply vote, but if you think we need more options who truly reflect the views of the American people then consider getting involved. Check out the Constitution party. If you have never seen their platform you might be pleasantly surprised.