I purposely wrote this article (Oct. 28) before the election...

 ...not knowing whether President Trump was re-elected or that former vice-president Joe Biden was voted in because the Word of God is truth and relevant whoever is in office. Romans 13:1-5 (NLT2) “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.” Sometimes these verses are hard to understand and accept as believers because we know the consequences of whichever party gets in. Let’s take God’s Word just for what it says.

1. Those placed in authority have been placed there by God. Therefore, we submit to them. This includes government and church. Don’t forget, even though you voted, God placed them in authority.

2. Those who rebel against the ones God has placed there, will be punished. No one is or will get away with their rebellion or anarchy. Pastor, they are getting away with it. Only temporarily.  

3. Maybe the most difficult to understand whichever camp you are in: The authorities placed in positions of leadership are God’s servants. These verses say they are God’s servants twice. Listen to your pastor, if God can use a donkey, if God can put hooks in the jaws of nations to get them where he wants them to be, then, He can surely use a Republican or Democrat to do His bidding. Yes, even if they are godless. 

Finally, 1 Timothy 2:1-5 (NIV) “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…”  Life Church, this is the Word of God and the Will of God!