I am getting a new President

            I don’t drink but this election season would be a great excuse to start. Without the usual attempts at humor I would like to submit a scripture that I believe is very relevant to us as we approach November 9, 2016. You see, I am getting a new president. This person will be my president because I have no plans of turning in my United States of America passport and I want to honor the Word of God with my life. But, let’s look at the words that Peter wrote in the New Testament before you decide to unfriend me.
1 Peter 2:13-17 NLT For the Lord’s sake, submit to 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 the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
            There is way too much here to tackle in one sitting but very briefly would you allow a non seminary graduate to use his understanding of scripture to hopefully teach us a better way forward? Please!
            First of all, most people that claim to be Christ followers also claim to want to know what God’s will is for their lives. Great news!!!! Peter told us in these few verses:

  1. Submit to human authority – The president. Whoever that is and whoever it will be. I did not vote for President Obama but he is still my president.

While we’re here let’s talk about local government. Our local government has been as ugly as the national political scene. We have elected officials (commissioners) that actually call other elected officials names. No really, you read that right. They call them names. They do things I used to discipline my children when they were in elementary school for doing. And then they will use social media and even commission meetings to quote scripture! But that’s a subject for another day. Submit to authority.

Peter said that our honorable lives should silence those who are making accusations. Not our loud defiant voices. Not our tweets and posts. He said that our honorable lives should be what silences our critics and our accusers.

  1. Respect everyone – honestly, this is huge. HUGE. Respect may be the most evasive trait in our current society. Especially politically. I will respect my new president the same way that I respect the current one. Just to be real, these are just people. They are not anything particularly special. They have families. They have flaws. They hurt and they love. My part is not to judge and call one deplorable or the other nasty. My part is to respect. And not only the candidates but also those supporting them. Every one of you who show up daily on my Twitter or Facebook feed posting and reposting awful things. I have to also respect you even though some of you are very trying. Respect everyone.

  1. Love the family of believers – Please explain how two people, who claim to love Jesus and all He stands for, can be so opposed to each other because of a political affiliation. Love is a command. Love should drive our mouths as well as our fingers and thumbs. Give preference. Stop typing and talking. Love.

  1. Fear God – the word fear in this scripture means morally reverent. Respecting the morals that God set forth through His Son Jesus Christ who said that our love for one another will show the world that we are His disciples. Our love is the indicator of our devotion. Not our candidate. Not our posts. Our love shows Christ to the world! Fear God!

  1. Respect the king – I will have a new president on November 9, 2016. I will not be afraid of that day or that candidate. If I were to ever have the opportunity to meet that person, regardless of who it is, I will feel honored to meet them and will show them honor that is due to them. Not because I respect them or what they have done with their life but because the bible is clear that I am to honor and respect those in authority!

I know this isn’t exciting or sexy but it is the Truth! Respect everyone. Honor those in authority.

Have a great week,         
Pastor Dad

Oh, and of course we can’t leave without a grandson picture. It’s Bryant!

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