How many of you were watching the
Golden Globes when Meryl Streep said, "Disrespect invites disrespect,
violence incites violence. And when the
powerful use their position to bully others we all lose." She was ostracized for speaking against
President Trump by many conservatives in the days that followed. On the other hand, how many of you heard of
or read William C. Bradford’s tweets that said, “I think Obama was given his
mission in Tehran long ago, and it suits him just find. How else can a Kenyan creampuff get ahead?” I am beginning to think that Americans are
becoming slaves to the “information age” where they not only have to get the
latest news throughout the day on their smart phones, etc. but also feel
compelled to give their opinions on each issue, even in disparaging words.
I can understand when non-Christians
go off on someone for they do not have a guidebook that tells them what to do
in the situations they find themselves in, but where I get frustrated is where
a believer speaks disrespectfully of the president (or past presidents for that
matter). When they do they are putting
themselves under God’s judgment and the risk of damnation:
“Let every soul be
subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers
that be are ordained of God. Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that
resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” -Romans 13:1-2 KJV
"To oppose authority then is to
oppose God, and such opposition is bound to be punished." -Rom. 13:2 J.B.
Phillips
It was no “accident”
that President Trump holds his office.
We may or may not agree with him but it is God who put him there:
"For promotion
cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one,
and setteth up another." -Ps 76:6-7 KJV
Whether we agree
with a sitting president or not it is our responsibility to respect and pray
for them. Why? So that: 1)
God can turn the heart of the one who rules over us (Proverbs 21:1), and 2) so
that we can lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1
Tim. 2:1-2).
So, as believers, we are held to a
higher standard: that of God’s
Word. As we submit to God then we are
able to hear his direction on what to do regarding every situation we
face. We are commanded to pray for those
He has set in authority over us.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as I
read Facebook and various blogs written by believers I continue to see hateful,
disparaging, and disgusting cuss words spoken about those in authority (and
past authority) over us. Where will that
get us? Nowhere! There are two ways to make a lasting change:
1)
SPIRITUAL: Pray for those God has
placed in authority over you; that is everyone from the President on down to
your Pastor or parents even (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
2)
PHYSICAL: You can always give
your opinion on Facebook, but that does not get you very far. Give your opinion where it counts the
best: Anyone can email the President or
Vice President at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact.
If you agree with the man, let him know;
if you disagree with the man, let him know (respectfully, please). Go (as they say) to the horse's mouth. Let
them personally know how you feel. That goes for your Congressmen and Senators
as well (at https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/).
Make your opinion count; first go to God, then go to the man that can make the change.
