A national election will held on Tuesday, 6 November 2012.
As a nation, we will be electing leaders on a local, state and national level.
A yearlong debate will remain as the nation considers which individuals will be
our country’s leaders. Discussions begin in earnest January 1.
According to the doctrine of the Two Kingdoms (referred by
many as the doctrine of Church and State), we Christians recognize our
president (and all elected leaders whether on the local, state or national
level) as God’s man for this time - whether he knows and understands it or not.
St. Paul in Romans 13:1 reminds us, “Everyone must submit himself to the
governing authorities for there is no authority except that which God has
established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” For this
reason we are directed to “give everyone what you own him: If you owe taxes,
pay tassel if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect, if honor, then
honor.” [Romans 13:7]
Daily we should pray for our leaders that the Lord would
give them wisdom. They need the Lord’s direction to use their power for our
country’s good so that we may live in peace and safety. They need divine
guidance that we as free people might exercise our rights of free assembly and
worship. We need to treasure our freedoms and support those who have sworn to
protect them so that we can gossip the Gospel before the Lord returns in glory.
We live under a representative republic, which means we
elect individuals to stand in for us for a certain moment of time. Every four
years we inaugurate a head of state, not a king. When we are satisfied with our
leader’s work, they are re-elected. If not, others will take their place. We
are given freedoms in this great country: to speak our mind, to disagree, and
to come together. Every time a new administration is elected, there is a
peaceful transfer of the figurehead of power. There are no riots. Life does not
cease. In all reality, not much changes. The bureaucrats keep their jobs.
We
are living in challenging times. In many respects, we are entering uncharted
waters. Some of these challenges we have not had to confront in over fifty
years. Others have been looming over us for a while. Now they need to be
addressed. We will need the best minds our country has to face the difficulties
and challenges of our 21st Century. In this New Year, commit yourself to daily
pray for those who serve as your representatives. Vigilance is needed. Serving
both God and country is what makes us model citizens. Love God. Serve your
neighbor. Be a sermon in shoes.
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