All too frequently in the past I've talked about things that I disliked about my time in the UPC, but for once I want to talk about something on the other side of the spectrum.
I was taught that we were to pray for the leaders and authorities in our lives. This applied to the President, to our bosses, teachers, parents, police officers, Pastors. To help them to make wise decisions and to be good leaders. I was taught that even if we disagree with them, we should respect the position (and the ensuing burden) they held.
No, this did not mean that you were required to remain under their authority if there were great differences of opinions. You could change schools or churches, become an emancipated minor, or use your voting rights to elect different officials. However, as long as you remained under their authority, that the right thing to do was be respectful and pray.
To be honest, I don't see this played out in modern Christendom. Maybe I just had a Pastor who really had a conviction in this area, or maybe things have changed dramatically in the past 15 years. And Political discussions these days seem to be filled with hate and vitriol. This is a bipartisan multicultural criticism. But an area, I think, where the body, should strive to improve.
1 Peter 2:13-17
New Living Translation (NLT)
13 For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters.[a] Fear God, and respect the king.
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