Your Biblical Obligations Towards President Obama - Please Read Before You Talk About Him Tomorrow

This is an email that I sent out to our college ministry on election night four years ago. I think it is worth reflecting on these biblical truths once again. 
__________________________________________________________________

I think it is really important for our mission here and for our own spiritual growth that we respond biblically to the election of Barack Obama as president. 

The two of you that voted for Obama won't need this, but for the other 240+ of you on this email list: please prayerfully consider your biblical obligations to Barack Obama when he takes over the presidency.

1.)  Submit to President Barack Obama as God's Sovereign Choice for Our Country
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.  Romans 13:1-7
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. I Peter 2:13-14

We are to submit to the leaders God has put over us unless submitting to them we cause us to sin against God (Acts 4:19-20).  This command is actually much easier for us to do than it was for the believers it was first written to.  Their emperor was Nero, who liked to light Christians on fire and feed them to wild animals and yet they were called to submit to him.  Surely, out of love for our God, we can joyfully submit to Barack Obama as our president.  God has not given us a command that is too difficult here (I John 5:3).

2.)  Respect President Barack Obama
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.  I Peter 2:17

We are to respect Barack Obama.  During the Clinton years it was far too common for Christians to disparage their president through bumper stickers, t-shirts, and the comments they made.  God commands us to show honor to our leaders.  It is unacceptable for Christians to speak disrespectfully of their president.  You can (and should) speak out against his policies, but while he is president you must speak respectfully of him. 

Once again the emperor Peter was talking about here was Nero, who by the way was not an elected figure, they had no say in who the emperor was.  In obedience to God, watch how you talk about our president.

3.)  Pray for Barack Obama Daily
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  I Timothy 2:1-4

If you have never been in the habit of praying daily for the president, this would be an excellent time to start.  President Obama has a lot of challenges ahead of him.  Pray for him every day.  Pray that God would reveal himself to him, bless him, give him wisdom, and keep him safe.  We are teaching our boys to do this every day.

It is interesting that when Daniel found out that judgment was going to come upon Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:19) he was visible shaken and declare that he wished it would happen to the king's enemies instead.  And Nebuchadnezzar wasn't really the king you would want, now was he? - trying to BBQ Daniel's friends and all.  And yet Daniel cared about him and wanted him to be blessed, not judged.  You can have that same spirit towards Barack Obama as you pray that God would reveal himself to him, bless him, give him wisdom, and keep him safe.

For the next few days as you talk with believers and unbelievers about the outcome of this election you have an opportunity to be refreshingly biblical - and truly counter-cultural.  Let's show the world (and other believers) that Christians don't put all their hopes in having political power.  Whining, fear, and bitterness are not fitting for us who believe God is up to something in all that he ordains.  Let's show the world (and other Christians) that we have a happy trust in God's sovereignty.  Let's show them that we are prepared to joyfully submitting to, respect, and pray for Barack Obama, out of a deep trust in and love for our God.  Or.....you can do just what the culture expects you to do.

Keep in mind our cause, the spread of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, does not depend on having political power.  In fact, our cause has most often thrived when it had no such advantages!  The Kingdom is breaking in even now, the fullness of it will soon appear!

Love you guys (that's why I give you a hard time),
Erick.