Is He “God’s President”?

The hashtag #notmypresident has gained popularity over the past few months. However, regardless of your political leanings, in Romans 13 the Bible seems to indicate that whoever is President is in fact, “God’s President”. Let’s read what Paul says in the beginning of the chapter: Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. Paul wrote this during the time of what we understand to be a very repressive reign under the Roman government. But Paul never agitates for overthrow. In fact, Jesus never agitated for overthrow of the government. As far as I can remember, Jesus never said anything negative about the government, even though that government would authorize His death.

No ruler, even the most ruthless ones in countries that oppress people with violence and withholding of food, is in place without the appointment of God. God is sovereign over all the rulers. I don’t fully understand why that is the case but I can’t argue with what the Bible says here. So my role as a follower of Jesus, whatever administration or king is in place, is to submit to it, be subject to it, be thankful that it is there primarily for my protection and live out my life in a way (see yesterday’s post) that glorifies and honors God. There is room for disagreement and even room for peaceful protest. But we must remember that this world is not our home. We are here to make disciples. Anything that detracts or takes away from that overall purpose is not beneficial. Whoever is President is definitely “God’s President”, no matter the party and no matter the policies. We have the opportunity to see how God uses that fact to increase His kingdom on earth. Now, that would be a better hashtag: #increasethekingdom.