Submitting in Difficult Times
Have you recently noticed an increase in frustrations being shared between Christians on social media? Rather than the typical encouragements that I see, there has been a type of polarization happening around the issue of government intervention. Do you find yourself participating in this type of talk or tempted to?Regardless of your opinion on the topic we can all agree that quarreling and complaining do not belong in the life of a believer. How do we address the frustrations that we feel toward decisions we don't agree with?
1) Display humility toward one another in your opinions
"Clothe yourselves, all of your, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (1 Peter 5:5)
We have been called to humility and love and many of the statements that I have seen posted have displayed neither of these characteristics. It is okay to have different opinions and even healthy that we do, but all of us must admit that we don't know everything. You don't have to look for very long before you will find two experts with differing opinions on the situation and both of them will use "facts" to support their argument. Ultimately, none of us know the full truth, and that is okay. We can still show one another grace.
2) Pray for your governing officials and call others to pray with you
"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16)
We must not forget that we are part of a greater kingdom and our identity is not rooted in our nationality. While we may be passionate about our country we must not put our hope in it, for our true identity is found in Jesus Christ and in Him alone. Before we take action about the decisions of our government let us first take our concerns before the throne of God. There is nothing greater that you can do for your leaders than to lift them up to the Lord in prayer and by calling others to join in you are bringing unity in love.
3) Share your concerns about decisions made in a respectful and considerate way
"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Pet 2:13-17)
Hear the words of Peter in regard to our conduct toward our government. Notice that he calls us to be subject to our government for the Lord's sake. He doesn't call us to be subject because we are in complete agreement with them or because we have no other choice. No, he calls us to be subject to them because God wants us to. "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people." Yes, that is right, submitting to your government is doing good. Peter didn't slip that in there by accident. We bring honor to God when we submit rightly to those whom He has put in authority over us.
I am not saying that you must be silent, for submission does not always mean silence but it does always require respect. One way that we could frame this is to compare our relationship with the government to a child's relationship to his parents. The child is clearly called in scripture to submit to his parents. (See Eph 6:1-3, Pro 1:8, 6:20, Col 3:20) This does not mean that he always has to agree with them.
If a child does not agree with a decision made by his parents, he can appeal to them as long as he does so in a respectful way. If the child doesn't appeal to the parent but instead complains to his friends about his parents he is clearly in sin.
4) Submit to the decisions made without grumbling or complaining
"Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Phil 2:14-15)
Assuming that the decisions made are not against the law of God, then we are called to submit to them. In doing so we shine as lights in the world. This is no different than the child called to submit to the decisions of his parents. Even if his appeal is denied he must obey and in doing so honor his mother and father.
5) Rejoice in the blessings that you have received in your current circumstances
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thes 5:16-18)
Above all else, brothers and sisters, don't ever lose sight of the hope that we have in the gospel. Keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus and give thanks in all circumstances. For He has defeated death on our behalf and nothing that we face on this earth can separate us from His grace. Let our posts be filled with thankfulness and let us be known as a thankful people.