Christian,
In case you had’t noticed, we’ve entered an election season and as such I want to take this opportunity to remind us our biblical directive concerning politics especially concerning politicians. During the first century, after Christ’s resurrection and ascension, when “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21) and recorded what we call the New Testament, much of the known world was ruled by various emperors or kings. They did not have the political system that we now known in America. The directive from the apostle Paul to Timothy was as follows:
“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.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
In the United State of America, we are nearly 250 years removed from understanding the thought of having a king over us. But though we may not have a king, we certainly still have people to make “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” over—people in high positions. We have a president, a senate and congress, a governor, a state senate and house of representatives, a township board, and a village counsel. We have courts and judges who sit on them, entrusted by the people to rule well.
No, this is not poli-sci or gov/econ class, I’m actually done talking about political things and will not shift to the real point being made in this call to pray for those in “high positions.”
When was the last time you did that? Prayed for “all people…all who are in high positions?” I’ve been personally convicted about this lacking discipline in my own life. If our only prayer for those in high position is, “Lord, please remove them from office” or “Lord, please put them into office,” or if we only pray in election seasons, then I think we aren’t paying attention to what and why we should be praying for them.
In his commentary on 1 Timothy 2, Matthew Henry says, “supplications for the averting of evil, prayers for the obtaining of good, intercessions for others and thanksgiving for mercies already received.”
Do you pray for the grace and mercy of Christ to meet the heart and mind of sinful men? Do you pray for wicked and sinful men to be gripped by their sin and the holiness of God, that they would be humbled to repentance and salvation through fight in Jesus Christ? Do you intercede for those Christians in high positions, that they might use their influence of try cause of Christ and the Gospel? Do you ever stop and simply thank God that we have such a free and “of the people” form of government?
Moreover, do you pray for these things in order to live a “peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way?
I cannot help but see a link between the prayer of God’s people for the lives of their leaders and rulers, and the holiness of God’s people. Corrupt leaders give us an opportunity to blaze the holy light of Christ in the darkness. Good, even godly, or God-fearing leaders present us with the opportunity to thank God for his favor and mercy on us in this life.
Christian, as we step into this season, may we be more mindful of how and what we are praying “for all people…and all who are in high positions.” I’m excited to worship with you all this Sunday! Lord willing, I’ll see you then!
Grace & Peace,
John White
You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267