The New President

My intention is to write about what is current – how it affects evangelical Christians, what we believe about it and why. As I look at the news over the past week that leaves me with pretty much only one subject. Government.

Given the recent election, the first thing I must say is that the Bible commands us to pray for and respect our leaders. It does not matter whether you voted for Obama or not. Government is ordained by God and governmental leaders deserve our respect and support.

That doesn't mean we must accept his point of view. But we should hear him out and cooperate with him where we can, and we should respect him, publically and privately, and pray for God's leadership and blessings upon him. And, yes, I am one who did not vote for him and who disagrees with almost every decision he has made so far. But that does not change my responsibility.

As for government in general, it's not only the right but the duty of evangelical Christians to participate by voting, debating and even running for office, should they feel so led. Jesus and the apostles ministered where government cared little for the common man and was actively hostile to their work. In that respect we are blessed. We have the obligation to use that blessing to make the world a better, more godly, place.

The Bible is clear about obeying the laws of the land. The only time we can violate the law without sin is when it forces us to do something that is a sin. We cannot intervene illegally otherwise – even if it means we lose our lives or the lives of those we love.

That's right, no bombing abortion clinics or gay bars. In fact, the fanatics who do that should hope no evangelical is on their jury.

But that's just the start. If the government wrongly executes you, or your child, you should not use force to prevent it. That sounds tough, but the words and example of our Biblical Fathers is only too clear. That's why I say we are blessed by our government. We have recourse to laws that are generally obeyed. That hasn't been true in all times and places.

One item remains – separation of church and state. The Bible is neutral on that issue. Men served God, or failed to, under theocracies and under governments that did not believe in Jehovah God and tried to destroy those who did. However, separation of church and state, as envisioned by the founding fathers of our nation, meant two things.

First, government doesn't support, financially or otherwise, any particular religion or denomination. Second, following any religion or denomination – or lack thereof – denies no citizen of their rights. The Bible is perfectly compatible with that stance.

On the other hand, the Constitution was never meant to restrict the practice of any religion so long as it didn't interfere with or overtly harm others. A government where Christians cannot pray publicly may be acceptable Biblically, but not legally. Not in America. Modern efforts to squeeze Christians out of government or unduly restrict their right to worship trample just as certainly on the Constitution as they do on the Bible.

If you're not a Christian the latter might not bother you, but the former should. If Christians aren't allowed to speak their mind and practice their beliefs, what makes you think you will be?

Romans 13:6, Colossians 1:16, 4:6, Titus 3:1, Matthew 5:13, 10:28, 22:34, 24:9, Mark 9:49, Luke 11:49, 12:5, 14:4