2 CHRONICLES 26:1-28:27
ROMANS 13:1-14
PSALM 23:1-6
PROVERBS 20:11
Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
During every presidential election year I have reminded myself of this verse but it seems that over the last 5 or 6 times it has been getting to be more and more needed for my peace of mind. In years past I felt comfortable and even confident in the candidate I was voting for and this verse gave me peace that even if my choice for president was not elected it was still God's will. The last couple of presidential elections has been difficult because the state of the world and the character of the candidates do not live up to what my choices would be. I know that some people will see this verse and say well there is no reason for me to vote if God is in control of who wins and I don't like any of the candidates, but I don't think that is the right. As Christians our vote and our conversations about politics are an opportunity for us to share the truth of God's word. When the people of God stand together on a political issue and vote according to our Christian morals and convictions, even if the result does not end that way, we are speaking light into the darkness. I live in a state that almost never goes to the candidate I vote for, and I have been frustrated by that but if we stop voting for what we think is our best option then we are sitting back in silence and missing out on opportunities to make God known. We also must remember that our President is not the only one who influences the state of our country. Sometimes our decision needs to be based on a bigger picture of more than 1 persons but on a platform that most represents our morals and values. Let you vote speak for Christ and trust that God is in control and He will use it according to His plan. That is Kingdom thinking.
Romans 13:3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
What is right is for us to live by and defend the truths of Jesus. Yes, we need to follow the law and do what is legally right but the greater law that we must follow is to follow God's law. All that we do should be first to live by God's law. That is Kingdom thinking.
Romans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
What is right is to show love even when we are confronted with opposition to God's truths. We can speak truth in love if we follow Jesus' example. If we are not acting in love we are acting according to the ways of the world that will only further the kingdom of the enemy. We are more likely to keep the doors of communication open when we approach a person or situation that is standing in opposition to God if we face it with love and grace. That is Kingdom thinking.
Romans 13:11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
If we are unloving, we can miss opportunities to plant a seed or water a seed or shine some light on a seed that might sprout in the softened heart of an unbeliever. That is what should be our greatest concern because the time is shorter and shorter every day that we have to share Jesus. Our actions and choices matter. When we live our lives showing love and living up to the moral standards of God not the morals and standards of the world the armor of light that we are clothed with can pierce the darkness of someone's soul. That is Kingdom thinking.
So, as you go about your day in this crazy and dark world let your words, decisions and actions be done with the Kingdom of God in mind by asking yourself if you are using Kingdom thinking...
God is in control over it all and He can use your words decisions and actions even when things don't go your way.
What you do matters if you do it for the Kingdom of God.
How you do things matters if you do it in love it will be for the Kingdom of God. If not it will be for the kingdom of the enemy.
Time is short and you can be part of the work that God is doing to bring the Kingdom of God to fulfilment. So do all things for that purpose.
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