"Everyone 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." - Romans 13:1
Government truly is a gift from the Lord. God established it to put down evil and promote good within the civil realm. Yet, like any good gift from God, sinful man and Satan can interfere with the original intentions for which God gave us these authorities.
In this election year, many followers of the Lord are very unsettled by the rhetoric of the politicians. Two thing have come to the fore to raise these concerns. First, we are facing some politicians who are determined to overturn God's laws concerning things like marriage, the gift of life, the authority of parents and the freedom to live out our beliefs without facing retribution such as job loss.
Second, on the opposite end, we are seeing self-righteous political rhetoric which is filled with hate and disrespect towards different religions, against people who hold to different moral codes or who stand out as different in one way or another. I really cannot remember such abrasive language being expressed by some of those who seek to lead our country.
My goal is not to push one candidate or another. However, the truth is that a number of sincere Christians either have lost hope so they do not want to exercise their political responsibilities as citizens of a nation that is governed by the people through the vote. The other extreme is that so many are so angry, they have a hard time seeing straight. Just read Facebook if you think I am wrong.
Before we give up and do nothing, recognize that these same two political positions were present when our Lord walked the Earth. In fact, both positions stood at the foot of the cross and were responsible for crucifying our Lord.
Rome - perhaps the most godless government ever that denied all 10 commandments in one form or another - nailed our Lord to the tree. One of the most hateful political machines ever, which hated all who disagreed with them, the Sanhedrin, turned our Lord over to Rome for crucifixion. Both of these positions showed their true colors - enemies of God.
Did either political group win? No. They did sin by nailed the Lord of Creation to the cross, but the greater truth is the cross was God's idea for saving man. Christ was not some helpless puppet in the hands of the sinful political leaders. He was reigning on his throne of grace. His crown was made of thorns. His scepter was the nail in his hand. His throne was the wooden cross against his back.
Christ won that day as he bore the sins of all at the cross, including all of sinful politicians of that day. He rose victorious. He even won the heart of his executioner that day. Many who condemned him in the judgment hall would 50 days later bow to him as their Lord and Savior. Hate was replaced with love. Repentance replaced rebellion against God's ways.
Christ reigned in the midst of all man's shortcomings as he accomplished his ultimate goal. Shouldn't we, as his children, know this as he daily reigns in our sinful lives, ever leading us to turn back from our sinful ways to his ways and leading us to love as he first loved us? He reigns.
Yes, our Lord does reign no matter what kings sit upon the thrones within our government. With that, we can do three things.
First, we can pray for God to reign in spite of all the sin in our broken world, including among our politicians as imperfect as they are. In fact, pray for our leaders. They need it.
Second, we can vote and try to pick the one we feel is closest to the Lord's will, even if that is far, far away from the ideal. Here we ask God to take even the evil that may come and make it work for good as he promises to do in Romans 8:28.
Finally, we remember who reigns, though that reign looks so hidden, just as it did one black Friday 2,000 years ago.
Yes, he does reign. Praise God, our Lord does reign.
Chris Sheets is pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.