Monday, September 24, 2012

Disagreeing with the President

I disagree with the President of the United States. This has nothing to do with his political party, race, the upcoming election, or anything on the surface for that matter. This is not a political article, though some may try to make it so. I have written in the past about respecting the office of the president, no matter who is serving. I received some letters over that article, and I am sure I may get more letters for writing this one.

Let me go on record as saying that I do not care about the economy, so this article is not about that either. That may bother you, but if I seek first the kingdom, God will take care of me (Matt. 6:33). I have never cared about economics or physical things. This world is not my home.

I disagree with the president because I believe what the Bible teaches. I think it is safe to say, then, that I would disagree on some level with every president we have ever had or will have. I have the right to disagree. If I am living according to the Scriptures, when our leaders are not keeping them, I even have the responsibility to disagree.

The New Testament instructs every Christian to respect the rulers that God has allowed to be in office (Rom. 13:1-7). My disagreement is no militant rebellion. I understand that God is in control. Read Daniel 4 and you will be reminded of what God allows and disallows, and how He raises up kings and also removes them according to His own pleasure. So I recognize that God is working His perfect will in every generation, through every leader of every nation. Even those leaders who oppose God are actually in God's own way being used for His glory.

At the same time, Jesus himself found a way to submit to governing authorities, while at the same time disagreeing with their views. He was setting up a spiritual kingdom, and therefore his aim was not to overthrow the government. I am quite certain that the Christian's goal should be the same. We are members of the Lord's body, the church. It is a spiritual and eternal kingdom. We answer to God first. And everything is for God and Christ and through and with the Spirit we continually and faithfully defend the Bible.

So yes, I disagree with the president. I disagree with his views on marriage, abortion, religion, the church, and probably in this case 1,000 other things. Regardless of who the president is after Novemeber, I am going to disagree with him on some level.

My only aim in this life is to agree, and not disagree with God. He created me. He has a plan for me. He sent His Son to die for me. And He will judge me in the last day.

"that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen." ~ 1 Timothy 6:14-16

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