God & Government, Pt. 10

As we wrap up this two-week series of devotions, and our elections have concluded, I want to share some practical considerations for you to ponder.

God & Government, Pt. 10

"Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor."

(Romans 13:7)

Picking up where we left off yesterday, discussing how governments should relate to the people, John Stott makes this point: "He [Paul] also writes that the judge does not bear the sword for nothing (v. 4). Since the word for 'sword' (machaira) has occurred earlier in the letter to indicate death (8:35), and since it was used for execution, it seems clear that Paul means it here as a symbol of capital punishment. 'The sword was carried habitually, if not by, then before the higher magistrates, and symbolized the power of life and death which they had in their hands.'" (Source: J. R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans: God's Good News for the World, p. 344)

God gives authority to His servants, the governmental leaders who are to punish wrongdoing. To what extent should that punishment include? The civilians are charged to do good or suffer the consequences. Suffering is a great deterrent for inflicting suffering on others. To me, "bear the sword" speaks of taking life and is a biblical argument for capital punishment for severe and heinous crimes.

As we wrap up this two-week series of devotions, and our elections have concluded, here are some practical considerations for you to ponder going forward:

Take a deep breath. God is in control today, November 8th, just like He was in control on Monday, right before the election, and on election day too. Do not believe those who say this election is going to cause the destruction of our nation. If it had gone completely differently, I would still say the same thing. I do not think mankind has that much power. God is in control, and He can do anything. Our hope is not in the White House, the Governor's Mansion, the Vatican, or anywhere else in the world; rather, our hope is in God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Almighty!
Each election, vote and encourage others to vote. In the 2012 presidential election, 25 million Evangelicals did not vote. I read recently that 32 million Christians would likely not vote in this year's election. In the 2016 election, 136 million people voted, but the result was decided by only 80,000 people. In the 2020 presidential election, 158 million people voted; however, the winner (Joe Biden) was decided by a mere 44,000 votes. Every vote matters. (Source.)
Pray for our leaders, no matter who the winners are or who you voted for. Every day I pray for President Joe Biden, Jill, Hunter and Ashley Biden. Did I vote for him? No. But I pray for him, because the Bible commands me to do so.
Know the issues, and speak truth in love on matters of faith, family, and freedom.
Prayerfully consider running for office. Do it if the Lord's leads you to.
Be a voice of reason amidst the chaos. Here are some basic axioms to promote: Tell others why we should neither de-fund the police nor defend corrupt police officers. Honor the military and those who protect us without necessarily endorsing every conflict they are ordered to participate in.

The best vote you can cast is for Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. We all have someone ruling our lives. It is either ourselves, someone we choose, or the Lord. All gods make terrible gods but Jesus. He is the one true living God! Repent and believe in Him alone for salvation. Pope Francis was badly mistaken when he said all paths lead to heaven. Jesus said in John 14:6 that He is the only way!

Have a blessed weekend. Thank you for all your prayers and support for DFEA.