Disappointment in Politics

My family and I have very active and sometimes heated discussions about politics. Most are conservatives but we also have the more liberal members as well. It’s educational and entertaining, but there have been those heated exchanges. It's all good though, because we learn from each other and come out of it with our love and respect for one another still intact. I’m not sure that we’ve changed the opinions of anyone, but that’s not the full intent of our discussions.

Anyway, the conservatives among us have been trying to cope with our disappointment and anger over the election results. I admit that I wonder at the stupidity of people who elected this radicalized liberal person to become the next president. But I have to come to grips with my emotions about it. After all, we've got four years ahead of us and that's a long time to be mad.

I found Cal Thomas’ commentary about putting politics aside. It was a good lead-in for me because I’d already decided I had to begin with the Bible this morning to get God’s word on how I should respond when it seems that our nation got it wrong last Tuesday. http://www.calthomas.com/

First I had to look at Romans 13 and though I knew some of what was already there, I decided that I either had to be honest about my commitment as a Christian who chooses to obey God, or do what I want instead.

When our children were growing up and they’d say to me, ‘but, it isn’t fair’, I’d respond that ‘very often life isn’t fair, get used to it.’ When the grandchildren have their little spats, or want to argue about something I've told them, I tell them that we don’t always get our own way, even though all of us want our own way. It's unfair that so often our words to others come back to bite us, isn't it!

Romans 13 is pretty straight-ward and doesn't allow for wiggle-space.

"There is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God".

It doesn't start out very well, does it. I get the feeling that if I read on it's not going to get any better either, that is, if I want to have an excuse to have my own way. But I have to put it all here, because it only gets better (or worse, depending upon who you choose to follow on this).

"Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good (good work) behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake. "

And this next verse especially rubs me the wrong way, because I'm reacting with my flesh and even pointing my finger at those who voted for this man to lead our nation. But if I choose to obey God, I have to obey the whole thing. Obedience requires me to obey all of it, otherwise, it's not obedience.

"For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them; tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."

But I'm encouraged by what Paul says next. Remember that these Christians and Jews lived under the Roman Empire who required and exacted the full allegiance and taxes of their subjects. I'd venture to say that they had far less freedom than we Christians living in the United States. He was telling them to honor and live in peace with the government, pay their taxes and do good. But he also shows them the way to do this.

"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, 'You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law."

"And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us therefore behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts."

I think the above is the basis for Cal Thomas' admonition to us about laying politics aside in order that we may grasp the righteousness of Jesus Christ. I don't think this means we not do what we can to make good prevail instead of evil, but it seems that Paul is telling us that God will take care of His part and we should do out part - 'owe no man nothing except to love him'.

By the way, if you want to see some other examples of how God works in spite of evil leaders, read I Kings 18-19 and Daniel 2-3.

I'm open to suggestions on how to apply God’s word in this, actively!

Remember today, that even when we don’t get our own way, we still receive God’s mercy and we still must give mercy, even to those with whom we don’t agree.