God's Ministers
God’s Ministers
It is election time in the USA and we are bombarded with campaign commercials; all kinds of promises if elected and of course the amusing ways the candidates go at each other to attack and make the other look bad. Not withstanding all the wrangling, we thank God for a democracy where people can vote and eventually leaders at various levels are selected. At present, it looks like Obama, Clinton or McCain could be the next president of the United States. Have you thought of any of them or other elected or non-elected leaders as God’s Ministers or servants? Let’s see what God’s Word calls leaders and rulers.
Romans 13:1, 4-6
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Apostle Paul is addressing the role of government and authorities in the Christian’s life. God has established government otherwise there will confusion and lack of order in any society. God has ordained government and its leaders whether we like it or not. As we have read, the leaders are called “servants or ministers” of God. You and I probably are not used to thinking of leaders of governments or its agents such as the police as ministers in the same way we see our pastors as ministers. This is one area for transformation in our thinking that Paul speaks about in Romans 12. Until we think and see leaders differently and in accordance with God’s Word, we would not be able to fulfill our Christian obligations to the society.
We have responsibilities to God’s ministers (leaders) to pray for them, respect them, and honor them. I personally need a mind renewal in this area. It is very easy to bad mouth and speak disrespectfully of our leaders just because they do not share our political views or party affiliations. It does not mean we have to agree with everything the politicians say but we can still disagree (when they contradict God’s commands) in a respectful way while praying for them. Is this an area you need to repent like me? Lord, forgive us for the times we have spoken against your ministers instead of praying for them.
Another responsibility we have as Christians is to submit and obey the government and its authority. There is temptation not to obey especially when we think our allegiance is only to Christ. Remember that the civil rulers during Paul’s time were probably all pagans. The scripture does not make exceptions (whether Moslem or Christian; liberal or conservatist) because all rulers represent God and are doing God’s work. God is not limited and can use any body, so develop an open mind for our leaders. God used the Roman Empire to help spread the Gospel around the world. They built the roads and highways.
Some of us have been given the “measure of faith” to be leaders in our government and society. If you are one of those, I encourage you to pursue your God given dream. Who best can be a true leader in the government than you that is filled with Holy Spirit of God? If you do and when you do, remember that you are a Minister of God to do “good” to the people.
1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 3:1-4).
Let us pray for our leaders, president, politicians, congress men and women, senators, judges, police, military, and all in authority. The above scripture says it “is good and pleases God” to pray for our leaders - his servants/ministers. Let us please God today and pray for our leaders. “Father, we thank you for all our leaders. Bless our president and all in authority and grant them wisdom to do your will. We pray that your will be done in the election process and that the president who will do your will be elected for America, in Jesus name, Amen.”
The next time you are handed a ticket for speeding by the police, say to him or her “thank you Minister of God”. Try it, you will feel better about paying the fine and penalty.
It is election time in the USA and we are bombarded with campaign commercials; all kinds of promises if elected and of course the amusing ways the candidates go at each other to attack and make the other look bad. Not withstanding all the wrangling, we thank God for a democracy where people can vote and eventually leaders at various levels are selected. At present, it looks like Obama, Clinton or McCain could be the next president of the United States. Have you thought of any of them or other elected or non-elected leaders as God’s Ministers or servants? Let’s see what God’s Word calls leaders and rulers.
Romans 13:1, 4-6
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Apostle Paul is addressing the role of government and authorities in the Christian’s life. God has established government otherwise there will confusion and lack of order in any society. God has ordained government and its leaders whether we like it or not. As we have read, the leaders are called “servants or ministers” of God. You and I probably are not used to thinking of leaders of governments or its agents such as the police as ministers in the same way we see our pastors as ministers. This is one area for transformation in our thinking that Paul speaks about in Romans 12. Until we think and see leaders differently and in accordance with God’s Word, we would not be able to fulfill our Christian obligations to the society.
We have responsibilities to God’s ministers (leaders) to pray for them, respect them, and honor them. I personally need a mind renewal in this area. It is very easy to bad mouth and speak disrespectfully of our leaders just because they do not share our political views or party affiliations. It does not mean we have to agree with everything the politicians say but we can still disagree (when they contradict God’s commands) in a respectful way while praying for them. Is this an area you need to repent like me? Lord, forgive us for the times we have spoken against your ministers instead of praying for them.
Another responsibility we have as Christians is to submit and obey the government and its authority. There is temptation not to obey especially when we think our allegiance is only to Christ. Remember that the civil rulers during Paul’s time were probably all pagans. The scripture does not make exceptions (whether Moslem or Christian; liberal or conservatist) because all rulers represent God and are doing God’s work. God is not limited and can use any body, so develop an open mind for our leaders. God used the Roman Empire to help spread the Gospel around the world. They built the roads and highways.
Some of us have been given the “measure of faith” to be leaders in our government and society. If you are one of those, I encourage you to pursue your God given dream. Who best can be a true leader in the government than you that is filled with Holy Spirit of God? If you do and when you do, remember that you are a Minister of God to do “good” to the people.
1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 3:1-4).
Let us pray for our leaders, president, politicians, congress men and women, senators, judges, police, military, and all in authority. The above scripture says it “is good and pleases God” to pray for our leaders - his servants/ministers. Let us please God today and pray for our leaders. “Father, we thank you for all our leaders. Bless our president and all in authority and grant them wisdom to do your will. We pray that your will be done in the election process and that the president who will do your will be elected for America, in Jesus name, Amen.”
The next time you are handed a ticket for speeding by the police, say to him or her “thank you Minister of God”. Try it, you will feel better about paying the fine and penalty.
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