A farmer was driving along the road with a load of fertilizer. A little boy, playing in front of his house, saw him and called, "What have you got in your truck?"
"Fertilizer," the farmer replied.
"What are you going to do with it?" asked the little boy.
"Put it on strawberries," answered the farmer.
"You ought to live here," the little boy advised him. "We put sugar and cream on ours."
It is so easy to be misunderstood. I think we experience this often. We mean well, but even meaning well does not guarantee that one will not be misunderstood. It is not so bad when this happens over the lesser things in life, but when we are not perceived properly over the more important matters, then such misunderstanding can be used against us.
This is why as Christians, we cannot allow ourselves to be misunderstood when it comes to our commitment to Jesus Christ and all that He stands for. The world does not normally see who we are in church – mainly because the world is not there, believers are. But the world does see the church when it comes together over policy issues, organize marches, public protests, and neighborhood meetings. We need to always keep in mind that while the world is watching, we have to ask ourselves, “What do they see? What are they hearing from us? Are we adequately reflecting the character of Christ in what we are doing with regards to our public protest over a policy disagreement?
In my last two blogs, I noted first of all how we need to –
1. Remember Why We Exist – Simply: To make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20).
2. It is in God We Trust.
This is more than a slogan for us believers; it is a way of life. Government policies will at times infuriate us, but our trust is not in marches, not in demonstrations, not in numbers, and not in who has the best arguments. We know the truth because He lives within us. But are we willing to follow the truth and rely completely on Him even if the government we are sworn to live under changes for the worse?
3. Our Christian Duty Is To Submit
Jesus said to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). Jesus and His apostles had many opportunities to rebel against the governing authorities, but they did not. In stead they submitted. Both Jesus and the apostles all died a martyrs’ death except for the apostle John who was exiled on a small island where he later died there. That’s submission. What little rights they had were removed.
Even in their day and time, slavery was practiced. Not once, did they write or preach to inform masters to release their slaves or for slaves to rebel against their masters. Instead, they simply asked the masters to treat their slaves with respect and for slaves to remain loyal to their masters regardless of whether or not they were saved and submit to them as well (Eph. 5:5-9; Col. 3:22-25; 1 Pet. 2:18-25), even when suffering is involved (see 1 Pet. 2:20-21).
Now unto the fourth principle:
4. Our Commitment Is To Pray
While we are commanded to submit to our leaders, we likewise are to pray for them for two reasons: First, “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:2). You see, an immediate byproduct of praying for our leaders – yes, even those we consider to be political opponents – is to remove feelings of anger and resistance toward them. Prayer prompts us to seek peace rather than to rebel or overreact. This is the peaceful and quiet life that Paul is referring to.
Paul is not suggesting that if we pray for our leaders we will get them to pass policies that will fortify peace and happiness for us. At times, that may be the case, but whether our government is for or against us, praying for those in leadership puts the peace of God within us and that’s a good place for it to be.
Because of this by product, this prompted Paul to write: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority. . .” (1 Tim. 2:1 NIV).
So we pray for our leaders in order to lead a quiet and peaceful life. If we don’t believe in doing this, then it is understandable why people jump to the opportunity to protest, march and hold public demonstrations. Many are frustrated, concern and angry. They want their voices to be heard. But we are told to come “with confidence to throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16), not to the steps of the State Capital.
But the second reason we pray for our leaders is also vital: We should pray for their salvation. Here is how Paul put it:
1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority. . .3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth – 1 Tim. 2:1-4 NIV
Why should we pray for their salvation? Because that’s the only thing that has eternal value attach to it with regards to politics. Don’t just pray for their policies which are temporal to say the least, but pray for their souls. When you pray for their salvation, you are showing the highest and most sincere concern for them. Nothing is more important than one’s relationship with God. Without having one, life on earth is meaningless and hopeless and life hereafter will not exist.
Finally, notice that Paul used the word “thanksgiving” as part of praying for our leaders. What does he mean? Well, thanks to the fact that we have “freedom of speech,” we jump on that and openly criticize our elected officials. But Paul said that in our prayers for those in authority, we need to have a heart and attitude of “thanksgiving,” not bitterness or resentment. Remember that is was God who appointed them to public office and positions of authority (Rom. 13:1). Therefore, to complain about them is ultimately to complain against God. Having a thanksgiving spirit can also greatly contribute to the leading of a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
More to come.
