Subject to Rulers and Authorities...
Ok, so we go to church,
We serve in church or the community,
We love on people,
We pray,
We listen to sermons on Youtube,
We're hitting our mark as "Christians", right?
Well...
Did you know we're are also supposed to be OBEDIENT to rulers and authorities?
"be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient"
Do you talk trash about the government?
Do you say you "hate" any politicians?
Do you get into arguments on social media about the politics?
Paul said some bad things to politicians too.
"God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!"
Whoa, he must have been pretty ticked when he said that BUT...
He didn't know they were rulers,
But when he found out he immediately backed off and said,
"I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’"
Paul was frustrated with politicians too,
He wanted to smack the leaders of his time over the head too,
He actually spoke for God to strike them,
BUT the minute he found out they were leaders,
Paul corrected himself because he knew God wanted different.
"You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people."
So if Paul had to back off to corrupt politicians,
How about us?
Even though a politician may be corrupt and need to go to jail,
God allowed them to be there for a reason,
They are not there on accident,
They didn't slip through God's radar,
Remember that God is in control.
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."
You don't have agree with the politician,
But do not curse politicians,
Instead bless them with prayer,
Do not have vile language or thoughts against them,
Instead pray that they draw closer to God each day,
And that God's will be done.
That is all.
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me be obedient to rulers and authorities,
Help me remember that no one has come to power without Your consent.
Help me see the politicians as you see them,
With loving eyes and heart.
Help me pray more fervently for their relationship with You,
Help me release angels to guard them and lead them,
Help me align with Your word,
Teach me how to obey rulers and authorities in a way that pleases You.
Lord, help me!
In Jesus name, Amen."
Cheers to being obedient on a whole new level! Whoa. ^_^
