I am writing this post one day before the Presidential elections so that you have the opportunity to read it and digest it as you feel your blood begin to boil tomorrow.
I have no idea who will win tomorrow. But whichever candidate does, a lot of people will be upset.
You all are angry today. Who you wanted elected didn't make it in to office. This country is so divided. Rather then respect each other's opinion, you feel it necessary to blast each other on social media. You call yourself "open minded", but are intolerant of anyone else who thinks differently then you do. You have forgotten how to be civil to each other.
Christians are told to emulate Jesus. He was humble and submissive and compassionate. We should do the same.
If you say you are a Christian, it is time to act like one.
And what does the Bible say about how a Christian should act in this situation?
A lot.
I'll throw out a few Scripture verses and tell you some of what my study Bibles and commentary say about those verses.
[Interesting, these verses are all from the New Testament letters/ epistles which tell us how we should live our lives as Christians. See my post on the New Testament letters - Here's a link to a post on them: Live an Abundant Life - The New Testament Letters.]
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Romans 13:1-2
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
1984 NIV Study Bible text note:
13:1 governing authorities - The civil rulers, all of whom were probably pagans at the time Paul was writing. Christians may have been tempted not to submit to them and to claim allegiance only to Christ. Even the possibility of a persecuting state did not shake Paul's conviction that civil government is ordained by God.
ESV Study Bible text note:
13:1 Paul is speaking here of the general principle of submission to government. Sometimes God gives good authorities as a blessing, and sometimes He institutes evil rulers as a means of trial or judgment.
Believer's Bible Commentary by William MacDonald:
13:1 Those who have been justified by faith are obligated to be subject to human government. Actually the obligation applies to everyone, but the apostle here is concerned especially with believers. ... God has instituted human government, and no government exists apart from His will. ... It is helpful to remember that Paul wrote this section on subjection to human government when the infamous Nero was Emperor. Those were dark days for Christians.
13:2 And yet it still holds that anyone who disobeys or rebels against the government is disobeying and rebelling against what God has ordained. Whoever resists lawful authority earns and deserves punishment.
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1 Timothy 2:1-4
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
NIV 1984 Study Bible text note:
2:2 The notorious Roman emperor Nero (A.D. 54-68) was in power when Paul wrote these words.
ESV Study Bible text notes:
2 Paul turns to expounding in specific terms what true gospel living should look like.
2:1 This is a call for all sorts of prayer for all sorts of people.
2:2 The lifestyle encouraged here (peaceful, quiet, godly, dignified) corresponds to the goal of apostolic teaching. This sort of living commends the gospel.
Believer's Bible Commentary by William MacDonald:
2:1 We might summarize the verse, then, by saying that in praying for all men, we should be humble, worshipful, trustful, and thankful.
2:2 Elsewhere, Paul has reminded us that the authorities that exist are ordained of God (Romans 13:1.) This verse takes on special color when we remember that it was written in the days of Nero. The terrible persecutions which were inflicted on the Christians by this wicked ruler did not affect the fact that Christians should pray for their governmental heads.
2:3 God's desire is for the salvation of all men. Therefore, to pray for all men is to promote the will of God in this regard.
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Titus 3:1-2
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
1984 NIV Study Bible text notes:
3:1-2 New Testament teaching includes much instruction about practical living. Although believers are citizens of heaven, they must also submit themselves to earthly government and help promote the well-being of the community.
ESV Study Bible text note:
The Greek word here (prauteta) for "consideration" literally means "meekness/ gentleness."
Believers' Bible Commentary by William MacDonald:
The Christians approach is that all governments are ordained of God. ... Even if a ruler does not know God personally, he is still "the anointed of the Lord" in his official position, and should be respected as such. Christians should be obedient to rulers and authorities.
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1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
1984 NIV Study Bible text notes:
2:13 Authority established among men depends on God for its existence. Indirectly, when one disobeys a human ruler he disobeys God, who ordained the system of human government. When Peter wrote, the emperor was the godless, brutal Nero, who ruled from A.D. 54 to 68.
2:15 Good citizenship counters false charges made against Christians and thus commends the gospel to unbelievers.
ESV Study Bible text notes:
2:13 Peter exhorts Christians to goodness as citizens.
2:15 The godly lives of believers will put to silence any false charges raised against them.
Believer's Bible Commentary by William MacDonald:
2:13 Human governments are instituted by God. Rulers are God's servants. Even if the rulers are not believers, they are still God's men officially. ... Believers should submit to every human institution for the Lord's sake. In doing so, they are fulfilling His will and doing the thing that pleases Him.
2:14 Each one must act in the light of the principles of conduct and citizenship found in the Bible. Here too we must allow liberty for differing viewpoints and not insist that others see eye to eye with us.
2:15 God's will is that His people should live so honorably and unblamably that the unconverted will have no legitimate basis for accusation. By lives of exemplary conduct, Christians can and should expose the ignorance of the charges made against Christianity by foolish men.
2:16 If we live as bondservants of God, our relationship with governmental authorities will fall into proper place. We are to act in the light of His presence, obey Him in all things, do all for His glory. The best citizen is a believer who lives as a slave of the Lord.
2:17 Peter returns to the subject of human rulers for a final reminder. We are to respect our rulers as officials appointed by God.
So what are you going to do?
Are you going to act like how the Bible tells you to act?
Are you going to submit to the governing authorities?
Or are you going to rant and rage doing harm to the gospel message?
Are you going to (as a friend once said to me on a different subject) "not care about what the Bible says on that"?
Or are you going to submit to your Lord and be obedient to Him?
If you say you are a believer of Jesus, now is the time to act like one.
People are watching us.