“HONOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY”

Romans 13:6

. . . for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

Paul tells us that rulers are the servants of God. The rulers in question are civil leaders. Some are servants voluntarily, but all civil leaders are fulfilling God’s plan one way or another.

We now have a new president - I think the better of the two men who ran for office! However, that is my opinion. A large majority of America’s population think differently. Regardless of who is in the Oval Office, we Christians are to regard him as a servant of God according to Romans 13:6. This may not mean that we personally accept everything our president does. I know there are things already with which I disagree with President Bush, but I am to respect the man because of his God given position and commit the rest to God.

The same goes for Mr. Ashcroft who, at this writing, is being grilled by the Senate as the appointed Attorney General. Let’s pray for these men as they assume their elected and appointed positions.

Praise God for the stand that both President Bush and Mr. Ashcroft are taking on the abortion issue. I respect Mr. Ashcroft’s statement about obeying and upholding the laws of the land even though he doesn’t agree with them.

This is a great lesson for us as Christians. There are some things we have to live with - like it or not. In a sense this is our Father’s world as the song tells us. In another sense this world and it’s system belongs to the enemy of our souls. The wise man will make a distinction. God’s servants, civil or otherwise, have to live and work in this environment.

Let me encourage you to hold these men up to God in your prayers every day and in our church let us make I Timothy 2:1, 2 a vital part of our prayer time.

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

In spite of it’s short comings, I would rather live in America than any other place on this earth (although my home is in Heaven!) God has blessed America abundantly, and may He continue to bless each of you.

Love to you all.