So What Next?

The General Election is now behind us. We've done our part in terms of the selection process and we cannot influence or change the results. I must ask, are you pleased with the results? Did the people you voted for get into office? The bigger question is, what do we do about it and how do we respond to potential changes that we don't agree with as they may come our way?

I think it's important to remember that we serve a God who is, was, and always will be in control. He is sovereign over all people and nations. Every person who was elected only got into office by God's sovereign will and according to His plan. They are still accountable to God for what they do or fail to do in their elected positions. God's plan and who He put into office may not make any sense to us and some of the people who got elected stand for things that contradicts Scripture. When we find ourselves asking how this could happen, we need to remember that our plans are so short-sighted and our wisdom is lacking. How many times do we see in Scripture where kings make terrible decisions, oftentimes in direct disobedience to God. The consequences of their decisions and actions impact everyone they rule over. One of these resulted in being taken captive for seventy years. Not all of the people agreed or went along with the idolatry and sinful behavior, but they were all taken captive. In these terrible circumstances, many chose to follow the LORD and remained faithful to Him. God took care of them for their faithfulness. Will bad decisions made by our current elected officials have an impact on our lives? What are we to do?

Paul tells us in Romans 13:1-2, "Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves."

Paul's point is that God is still the ultimate authority over human officials and they were only appointed to their office by God's authority and will. We need to submit to them and comply with all their "lawful" mandates. By this, I mean that we need to comply up to the point of causing us to sin. Sin would cause us to violate commands of the higher authority, God. 

So, what is our responsibility and response to officials that we don't agree with? With the exception of sinning or disobeying God, we submit. Wait, WHAT? That's right. This may be very hard to swallow or comply with, but according to Romans 13:2, our noncompliance with lawful commands and mandates by governing authorities makes us noncompliant with God's command to submit to them. Now we have put ourselves in opposition to God. God will hold that governing authority accountable for every decision and action they take. And he will definitely hold us accountable for not submitting to them as He directed.

What would be a good and acceptable approach for us when we find ourselves governed by those who we don't agree with, those who are unbelievers or those we didn't vote for? 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.' As we pray for our leaders, we pray for wisdom, discernment, pray that they would lead with integrity...but above all, pray that they would be saved. The next 2 verses say, "This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Is it possible for the Holy Spirit to change a person's, any person's heart to repentance? Have we made judgements and perhaps written people off as unsavable?

And finally, can we find any joy in the circumstances we find ourselves in? I challenge you, as I do for myself, to focus on our attitudes as ambassadors and witnesses for Jesus Christ and choose not to let ourselves get caught up in the anger, hatred or hopelessness that we see so many others engaging in. Spend time in prayer, thanking God that we don't have to be anxious about anything; that we can find true comfort, peace, and even joy in the difficulty that we find ourselves in. And as the Spirit leads, share with others why you are able to find peace and joy in these circumstances.

Pastor Bryan