email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

September 3, 2018

1 Timothy 2:1-5

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

New International Version (NIV)

                Do you pray for the President? I was once asked that question in the parking lot of a church by a concerned Christian named Mary. She thought people were so mad at the President that they no longer prayed for him. In answer, I did then, I still do and I always will. This is what God wants. But why? To what end do we pray? So that we may live peaceful and quiet lives. So that all people may be saved.

                When Paul wrote this, Nero may have been on the throne of Rome. We don’t know for sure. What we know is that before long the Roman emperors persecuted the Christians. Were Christians to pray for them as well? Yes.

                The last verse is most helpful. Christians do not set our ultimate hope on any earthly government. We want to be good citizens of our country here, but our final citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). There is one God. There is one Savior of humankind. His name is Jesus. For this reason I balk at the idea that the church needs the government’s help. But what if we lost our freedom? This was not Paul’s ultimate concern. He was more worried that Christians would lose their message and distinctiveness. He worried that the message would be coopted by some political entity that wanted to use Christianity. History demonstrates the concern was valid. Whenever Christianity becomes too intertwined with government, the church always loses.

               Christianity has actually flourished in times of great political persecution. The real danger for the church has been when Christians have compromised the timeless message of the gospel by submitting it to temporal authority. If the government says everyone is Christian, pretty quickly very few people live out and preach the gospel. This would be a grave danger. So Psalm 146:3 says, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” Paul was right. Every government needs God’s help. So I ask him to help. He always has. He always will.

Pray with me:

Father, we thank you for our Savior Jesus Christ who is Lord of all. Rule without rival in our hearts. Help our governing officials. They have hard jobs. Come what may, help us to live out our faith in a way that shows our trust resides solely in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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