A new president, a new obligation
By the Rev. James T. Bartsch Flint Hills Community Church
Friday, January 23, 2009
This week we witnessed a changing of the guard. George W. Bush is no longer president of our country. Barack Obama now is.
Christians have a clearly defined position outlined for them in the Bible which they are to hold toward any president, no matter what his political persuasion might be.
First, Christians are obligated to submit to governing authorities. There is no governing authority that exists that has not been placed there by God. To resist that authority is to resist what God has ordained. A ruling authority actually exists as the servant of God. Its task is to praise those who do good and to punish those who do evil. It has been granted authority from God to exercise deadly force to punish evildoers. So Christians are responsible to subject themselves to the governing authority not only to avoid the wrath of the government, but also to maintain a clear conscience (Romans 13:1-4).
Second, Christians are obligated to support the government. Support includes both financial payment and appropriate attitude. We pay taxes to support the rulers because they are God’s servants, exercising His will. So we are obligated to render to all that which is due them: “tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:5-7)
In the third place, Christians are exhorted to pray for all men, as well as for government officials specifically. The purpose of the prayer is “that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” This peaceful, orderly life pleases God, for it provides the best atmosphere for all men “to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” through God’s sole mediator between Himself and men, “the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6) It should be remembered, by the way, that when Paul wrote his letter to the Romans in A.D. 57, and his letter to Timothy in A.D. 63-66, Nero was the emperor of Rome.
And so we pray, “May God bless Barack Obama. May he make wise and Biblical decisions. May God bless America. May people in America turn their hearts back to God so that He may bless them and prosper them.”
• “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. James T. Bartsch, pastor of Flint Hills Community Church in Cottonwood Falls.