Election Time

1Peter 2:13-17

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.


It's time again. Time to make huge decisions that will affect the next four years of our lives. No pressure, right?

We have heard all the negative talk and all the promises. Unfortunately it goes with the territory of competition in politics. Soon it will be over. We will have elected our President and other governing officials. Then the talk will take a turn and focus on who did not keep their promises and people will be tempted to give their opinion of what should be done.

Granted, we have probably not had all great Presidents or governing officials at some point since the first President was elected. Of course not everyone can be satisfied at once. We all have our opinions as to how this country should be ran. And unfortunately not every President or governing official has submitted to the will of God, which makes it harder to respect them.

We are going to be tempted to voice our opinion and show disrespect to those in authority. The Word of God says to do otherwise though. And it says to show respect for the Lord's sake.

It is our duty to pray for those in authority, to respect them even if they do things that don't deserve respect, and to hold our tongue when we are tempted to say things that do not lift them up. Does that mean we have to agree with their decisions, especially if the decisions they make are against the Word of God? No! We are to obey the laws of the land as long as these laws do not disrespect the Word of God. And even then, we are to respect the one in authority.

To show respect is NOT to agree with everything that person supports but to refrain from talking negative about that person. To show respect is NOT to ignore that person in authority and just wait out his term in office, but to daily lift him up in prayer.

Most people say they hate the negative campaigning and the commercials that do such. Yet at the same time many of these same people are discussing with everyone that will listen all the reasons we shouldn't vote for the other guy. I hear more negative campaigning from common man than I do on TV.

Verse 18 says for us to submit to our masters (meaning those in authority) with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. We may not want to do it but for the sake of the Lord we need to. God Bless~