The Government...To Respect or Not Respect?

The last few weeks in my Sunday School class we've been studying the issue of What God's Word Says about Morality and Integrity. Last week the issue of "the government" came up and how we are are to be respectful of those who have rule over us as long as their "rules" don't conflict with God's rules.

So we began talking about the word respect and what that looks like, and when I walked out the classroom door I felt like I had touched on one of the most conflicted areas in society today. So I'm asking you today....what does a Christian look like who shows respect for the government? 

I've given some thought to this since our classroom discussion and I came up with a few things that I think make the list:

1. A Christian does not make jokes that make the government look bad

2. A Christian does not talk about governmental leadership in anger, hostility or violence

3. A Christian prays for the government

4. A Christian encourages good decisions

5. A Christian talks about the good things happening in government

6. A Christian talks about issues that concern them to the people who can do something about it....sometimes that means other citizens and sometimes that means calling your government official. 

7. A Christian talks about these issues with firmness but respect

8. A Christian follows the laws...pays taxes, obeys the speed limit, doesn't steal....as long as they don't conflict with God's Word. His authority is always supreme.

9. A Christian doesn't overreact or throw a temper tantrum when things don't go their way. They find a way to express themselves in a mature and rational way.

10 Above all, we follow God's rules, act godly and do not sacrifice out testimony for the temporary satisfaction of spewing our opinions and feelings out on a world who ultimately needs Jesus...not government. 

How did I come up with my list....well I know what respect looks like when it comes to my family. I know that as a wife I am to build up and not tear down my husband and that I am to show him respect. I can also go to him with disagreements I have and as long as I am godly in my communication, I can still be respectful. I also know what I expect from my kids. I want them to communicate with me in a manner of respect...I don't want them talking bad about me behind my back or throwing tantrums when things don't go their way. There is a right way for us to discuss things and I will listen to their concerns, but ultimately the decisions lie within the parents power, and I expect them to accept that decision with respect...even when they don't agree. 

By no means am I advocating a Christianity that allows the government to walk all over us. I'm advocating a Christianity that follows God's Word, that is representing to a lost, hell bound world the essentials of Christianity ...faith, hope and love and that stands for the things that God stands for....with respect for the governmental authority that God has allowed to be in office....for such a time as this.

So....do you have anything to add to the list? Leave a comment and let me know!

Inauguration Day 2009

Today is the day. American will swear in our first African American President. Barak Obama. Whether I voted for him or not really doesn't matter. He is our president. He needs our prayers. It's funny...not really I guess...that I've heard so many Christians say "More than ever, Christians need to be praying" "God help us". I disagree. I think if Christians had been praying all along, our country would look different. Christians should have been praying like every day...no, every moment in our history was as important as this one. The condition of our country didn't just happen yesterday. It's been on a slow decline for decades. Depressing yes...yet still we live in the greatest nation on earth.

Hope...that's been a theme of Obama's campaign. Unfortunately it's not really something he can offer to America. Our only hope is Christ. His presence in our country is the only thing that can really make a difference in America. His righteousness shining in every decision made. His compassion showing as people all across this country unite together to take care of the poor and needy. His justice making decisions in our courts.

So, I will pray. I will pray that Godly leaders are placed around our president. I will pray that the foundations of our country will echo loudly through the walls of our Senate, Congress and White House. I will pray for Michelle Obama that she will concentrate on making her home a safe haven for her husband and children.

I'm hopeful today....not because we have a new president, but because I know who my God is. I know who leads my house. I know that however the next 4 years go, God is still in control. Doing what He does best.