I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. – 1 Timothy 2:1-4
The Bible, God’s word, calls us to pray for those in positions of authority. Too many times I hear the common rhetoric, “Donald Trump is a racist. He hates this group and that’s why I don’t like him.” I understand the sentiment. When you feel attacked it’s easy to become defensive and lash out. But that’s not what God called us to do. Instead of lashing out at President Trump and others that we don’t agree with, we should pray for them. Martin Luther King once said that darkness can’t cast out darkness, only light can do that.
If we repay evil with evil, we won’t get anywhere. We’ll only make the problem worse. It’s easy to want to repay someone with evil when they’ve treated you a certain way. It’s human nature. But God didn’t call us to behave according to our nature. He wants us to adopt a different nature. His nature. When we treat others negatively we’re acting based on how the world operates. If someone treats you bad, then you must treat them the same if not worse. if someone ignores you, does you wrong, then you’re justified in acting the same way. But this isn’t how God wants us to act.
Jesus’ Example
When Jesus came down from heaven to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins it was with the intent to purchase our lives. That’s why the Bible says that you were bought with a price. We used to belong to a different owner; Satan. Satan’s three objectives according to the Bible are to kill, steal, and destroy. That’s why our nature before Christ was sinful. But when we receive Jesus into our hearts we automatically put on a new nature. We’re no longer called to operate according to Satan’s framework because he’s no longer the owner of our lives. Instead we’re called to adopt the nature of the One who own’s us now and that’s God.
It’s not easy to love those that hate you and treat you badly. It’s difficult and Jesus even touched on the subject. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “What good is it to love those that love you?” That’s easy he said. “But I say unto you, love your enemies.” Jesus aknowledged our tendency to hate those that hate us. Jesus understands our battles. He know about the injustices in the world but against those injustices He calls us to act differently.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? – Matthew 5:44-47
God Called Us to be Light
Light can illuminate an entire room. But, when you have a room full of darkness you won’t be able to see a thing. Decide to be the light that God called you to be, today. You and I were called to operate according to a different law, not the law of this world. The world encourages you to hate those that hate you. It’s divisive and contentious. The world thrives on disputes. But God called us to be ambassadors of Christ and to show the world a different form of government. One that isn’t constrained by the times and political climate of the day but one that operates under the will of God.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. – John 15:19
Conclusion
The Bible says that we are in this world but we are not of this world. The minute we receive Christ into our hearts we became citizens of heaven. Just like foreigners stand out when they practice traditions of their native country, we should also stand out by conducting ourselves according to a higher order; God’s order. Pray for your loved ones, but don’t forget to pray for your enemies. Pray for those in power even if you don’t agree with them. Bless them and love them even if they curse you and hate you. God sees everything and you’ll reap blessings from following His word. Not only that, but the greatest reward is that you’re living out the will of Him who saved you.
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