Where Do You Stand?

With the election of Senator Barack Obama as our next president, many people have felt the need to share their thoughts and opinions on the situation. I haven't wanted to get overly emotional about it, but then I decided that someone needed to say something - and I guess that someone is me. Let me start by saying that I voted for John McCain. It had nothing to do with race, and everything to do with character and values. I am pro-life and have made a covenant that I will not vote for anyone who is not pro-life. It is that plain and simple. Now, it just so happens that I agreed with several other policies that John McCain proposed, but even if I hadn't I would still have voted for him based on the pro-life issue. You see, I vote based on my beliefs, not my checkbook. That all being said, my candidate did not win. Am I upset about that? Yes. I mean obviously I wanted the candidate that shared my thoughts and opinions to win. However, Obama was elected, and I respect that he will be our president in a few short months. However, respect and support are two completely different things. I respect the office of president, and how much power comes with being president. However, that does not mean that I completely support the person that holds that position. When we start supporting things we don't believe in, we start to compromise our own beliefs. I see that happening all around me. Polls show that nearly 80% of Americans consider themselves to be Christian. If this statistic is true, that should mean that Christian have the majority vote in America; therefore we SHOULD have elected a Christian president, or at least someone that holds the same views and values that Christians SHOULD hold. Based on what I heard from the candidates in the debates I didn't think it was too hard to figure out which of the two candidate lined up more with Christians values (I watched three of the presidential debates and the vice-presidential debate). Now some people may tell me that the Bible says that we have to respect and pray for our leaders. I can completely agree with the prayer part, but the respect part is where I find fault. As I mentioned above, I respect the office of president (or any other government authority), but that does not mean that I respect the person who holds that office. Romans 13:1-7 states: "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. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 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." Some have taken these words to mean that we must accept and live with whatever government is in control. I disagree. If you are going to use the Bible to defend your reasons for doing nothing, then you must look at the entire Word of God. The idea of unlimited submission to government is just not biblical. "Daniel disobeyed Darius and went to the lions den. The three Hebrew children broke the law for not bowing. The parents hid baby Moses from Pharaoh. Rahab lied to protect the Hebrew spies. The Apostles went to prison for preaching Christ in the authority of Heaven. Paul and his followers in Acts 17 did contrary to all the decrees of Caesar in order to make Jesus the King. Even Jesus lived in direct opposition of the political religious leaders of his day and went to the cross for us" (taken from Rethinking Romans 13). Must we respect the government that God has put in control? Yes, but respect and acceptance are two different things. I believe it is our place as Christians to speak out about the injustice that goes on in America. To do that may mean to speak against our governing authorities. I'm not talking about a revolt; I'm simply urging Christians to respectfully speak out against the things going on in our country that do not line up with the Word of God. That means be law-abiding citizens taking our plea through the right channels as the law allows. Many people gave their lives to protect the freedom for us to do just that. My fear is that Christians believe that God approves of all government. How can He approve or agree with things that go against His nature? Abortion is not His plan. Homosexuality is not His plan. Do you seriously think He approves of our government supporting those rights? We have let immorality sweep through our nation, and we have turned our backs on God. When Israel turned their backs on God he let their enemies overtake them. That was not His plan, but He did give Israel and us free will to choose rather we would worship Him or other gods. The good news is that when Israel returned to God, He returned His favor upon them. We choose rather to be righteous or unrighteous. What do you think America has chosen? Do you think God's wrath or God's favor is upon America? It is our urgent prayer that the Bride of Christ will rise up and take a stand for righteousness. Will you choose to stand for righteousness or will you choose to be quiet? The choice is at hand.