The Politics Of Religion

I wear the black in mourning, for the lives that could have been
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men
And I wear it for the thousands who have died
Believing that the Lord was on their side
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died
Believing that we all were on their side
~Man In Black~ Johnny Cash

The old adage is that one should never argue religion or politics.  For in such cases there is  no clear winner.  Certainly, our nation these days is extremely divided politically.  In my lifetime, I have never seen such a divide in this country.  Listening to some people, one would think that either you follow their ideology and line of thinking or you are guilty of being stupid, uncaring, rascist or any other vile insult they can throw your way.  If one looks up the word Muckraking in the dictionary, the definition may enlighten more than a few people.  See, muckraking was a tactic used in old politics and, to some extent, even today where a political candadite would hurl any kind of slander at their opponents.  It  would seem that the more important the election, the worse the behavior will be.  Such is mans lust for political power and influence.  We are often told to judge a candadite for office based on accomplishment and character.  However, if this were truly the case, we'd have no viable candadites remaining for any type of political office.  But what does scripture tell us about politics?

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.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the devil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is Gods minister to you for good.  But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is Gods minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.  Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.  For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are Gods ministers attending continually to this very thing.  Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Romans 13: 1-7 NKJV

Here in Romans 13 the apostle Paul has some instructions on dealing with those in authority that people today may find intolerable.  As Paul tells us, we are to submit to our governing authorities, for they are chosen and put  in place by our Lord God.  Want a more bitter pill to swallow?  Consider that even evil such as Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin and Pol Pot were chosen and put in place by our sovereign God.  Of course, this begs the question, how could a loving God appoint such evil?  Well, since the scripture is quick to inform us that our Lords ways and thoughts are much higher than our own, it is we who must put our trust in God that he knows what he is doing.  Yes, even I stumble at this point.  Put my trust in God while a corrupt group of buffoons sits in seats of power?  Well, it is God who placed them there!  The very same way that God has placed us into situations in our own lives, so be it with those in power.  
This is not to say that, as christians that we are to agree with the behavior and policies of those in power, we are only to submit to those who govern over us.  For as quickly as the Lord has blessed these servants, he can just as quickly bring his vengence upon them!  The question we need ask ourselves is, "Lord, how is it that you are using this person?"  For ultimately it is for our Lords perfect plan that all things take place.  We may not agree with those who govern over us, but these mere men are not the ultimate judge to whom we must give an account.

~Scott~