OceanSide church of Christ

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 A NEW PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT:

Joe Biden & Kamala Harris

Victor M. Eskew

 

            On Wednesday of this past week, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were inaugurated as the President and Vice President of the United States of America respectively.  Joe Biden is now the 46th President of this great nation in which we live. 

            The election process over the last several months has been highly charged.  The divide between Democrats and Republicans has hardly ever been greater than it is right now.  Many on the right are very upset about the election results.  Some might be saying of Joe Biden what some said of President Trump four years ago:  “He is not my President.”  First, those who say such things should realize that to say something does not make it so.  Second, those who manifest such a spirit need to go back into the Scriptures and read God’s instructions about how we are to conduct ourselves in regard to those who are in leadership positions over us.  In fact, why don’t we take a look into the Scriptures right now.  As Christians we should not want to be guilty of violating any part of God’s law.  This would include the part of God’s law that instructs us about authority.

            First, every one of us should pray fervently for those in positions of authority.  Paul exhorts us, saying:  “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Tim. 2:1-2).  Prayer communicates with the one who put the authority figures over us (Rom. 13:1).  We express to the governor of the nations what we desire for the new administration.  We pray for their wisdom.  We pray that they will seek God’s will in all things.  We pray they will be honest and transparent in their dealings.  We pray that they will always seek justice, not for one or two, but for all.  We pray that they will make decisions that will enable us to live a quiet and peaceable life.  We pray that they will punish all evil doers.  We pray that they will be humble and not lifted up with pride.  We pray that they will allow the free spread of the gospel of Christ through all mediums of communication that exist.  Yes, there is so much for which to pray.  Remember, God can work His providence in the most hostile environments.  In some manner, He brought about the fall of Jerusalem by the powerful army of the Roman leader, Titus.  He didn’t literally command Titus to do this work, but it was done.  We pray to God because it is He who “removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Dan. 2:21).

            Second, every one of us should respect those who are in positions of authority.  In Proverbs 24:21, we are instructed with these words:  “My son, fear thou the Lord and the king…”  In the New Testament, Peter commands us to “honour the king” (I Pet. 2:17).  Strong defines the word “honour” as “to prize, fix a valuation upon, to revere.”  Thayer gives this meaning of the word:  “to have in honor, revere, venerate.”  Some tell us that respect must be earned.  This is not true.  Respect is something that is given.  Even those who are cruel and evil can be respected.  David provides us with a powerful example of a man who respected the king even in adverse circumstances.  Saul sought David’s life for a long period of time.  Never once do we find David, speaking evil of Saul.  Never once do we find David acting in an irreverent manner toward the Lord’s anointed.  Even when Saul perished in battle, David refused to mock or speak evil of King Saul.  Here is how David eulogized the loss of the king and his son, Jonathan:  “Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided:  they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.  Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.  How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle!  O Jonathan, thou wast slain in high places” (II Sam. 2:23-25).

            Third, we are to submit to their ordinances.  In Peter 3:13-14, Peter told those early Christians:  “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake:  whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well.”  As we consider this point, there are two things that we must remember.  One, the “law” of the United States begins first with the Constitution.   Those in leadership positions have sworn by an oath to uphold and protect the laws and rights found within this document.  They are not free to change it on a whim.  In order to change the law, they must go through the legislative process.  Until such time, the law stands.  Two, when man’s laws conflict with the law of God, we must adhere to God’s law.  This is clearly taught in Acts 3-5.  A key verse in this section of Acts is Acts 5:29.  “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”  God’s law is first.  Man’s law is second.  If our leaders are legislating in harmony with the Law of God and the Constitution of the United States, each one of us MUST submit to the laws that are given. 

            Government is one of the divine institutions found on the earth.  God did not put governments on the earth and leave them free to do as they please.  He did not put governments here and fail to provide instructions as to how citizens are to behave toward those in power.  Let’s pray for President Joe Biden and his new administration.  Let’s give them the respect they deserve due the position they hold.  And, let’s submit to their ordinances and be obedient citizens.  Let’s close by reading Romans 13:1-7.  “Let every soul be subject to 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.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.  Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?  do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  for he is the minister of God to thee for good.  But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid:  for he beareth not the sword in vain:  for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’s sake.  For, for this cause pay ye tribute also:  for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.  Render therefore to all their dues:  tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”