Note from Pastor Jack: This blog shares my own personal opinion and is not necesarily the opinion of the church as a whole. Nevertheless, I believe that it is a Biblical and much needed perspective.

The tension in America between supporters and opponents of the current administration is at an extremely high and maybe even dangerous level. Some—for political purposes or because they enjoy conflict or to influence voters—may want it to continue. I believe that most Americans—and I put myself in that category—want it to de-escalate.

We want to be a peaceful nation.

To help bring that about, I want to say some things to all believers in Jesus. And I want to say some things to our current leaders in America, with the hope that we can cool the current heat in America.

To believers . . . we have Biblical obligations toward our leaders. Sometimes these things are easy, especially when we fully agree with our leaders. Sometimes, these things are more difficult, especially when we strongly disagree with our leaders. But these Biblical commands apply to us regardless of the current situation.

What are these obligations?

• Pray for our leaders. Paul told the church, “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.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV) We are to pray for our leaders and ask God to bless them, use them for good, and give them wisdom. It’s easier when we agree with them, but it’s a command even when we don’t.
• Respect our leaders. Peter told the church, “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17, NIV) Obviously, we don’t have an emperor today, but we do have many governmental leaders. It’s easier to honor them when we agree with them, but it’s a command even when we don’t. If we are challenged when we see their sinfulness or hypocrisy, remember that this was also true in Peter’s day as well—many of the Emperors were not honorable men. Still, though, they were to be respected and honored because of the office that they held. The same is true today.  
• Submit to their authority. Paul told the church, “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.” (Romans 13:1, NIV) The Book of Acts establishes that the church is responsible to God first, but in all things that don’t violate God’s law, we are to obey the laws of our government and submit to their authority.
• Love our enemies. I don’t see America’s leaders as my enemy, but even if I did, I am under the command of Jesus Himself, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-44, NIV) Even if we see our leaders—or those who voted for them—as our enemies, we are under a Biblical command to love them. Love for all is the very heart of God and Christian morality.

These things are not debatable for believers. There are no excuses. They are Biblically clear and as followers of Jesus, we are under an obligation to live as Jesus taught us.

But let me also say that love, respect, and submission to laws work both ways. They apply to individuals. They also apply to leaders and governments.

So let me say a few words to our current governmental leaders—of both parties. You also have Biblical and moral obligations. It would be much easier for us to pray for, respect, honor, submit, and love you if you were to follow Biblical obligations.

What are these obligations?

• Tell us the truth. Don’t twist the truth to make your administration or your party look good or to make a political point. Don’t tell us something is true when all the extremely obvious evidence is clear that it is not. The writer of Proverbs said, “Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?” (Proverbs 22:20-21, NIV) It’s hard to respect a leader who can’t speak the truth. It’s hard to follow a leader when they can’t—or won’t—speak truth. If a governmental leader won’t speak the truth in the small things, it’s hard to believe them when they speak to the big things. And there are many “big issues” in the world for which we need the truth.
• Respect our rights. The command I quoted about respect works both ways. We are to respect our leaders, and leaders are to respect their people. America has ingrained in our constitution the “Bill of Rights” that defines how a government respects her people. I would hope that every American would know them and that every level of government would honor them, but that’s not always the case. According to our constitution, people have the right to speak our opinions without retribution or harassment. We have the right to protest without being labeled “domestic terrorists.” We have the right to peaceably assemble without being forcibly dispersed. We have the right to own a gun without being told that we are “would-be assassins.” We have the right to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure. We have the right of due process—government can’t take away any of our rights without following lawful procedures. We have the right if detained to be informed of the charges and we have the right to an attorney. We have protection from cruel and unusual punishment. If a government respects our rights, even when it is inconvenient and time-consuming, it will be much more likely that they will receive respect in return.
• Submit to the laws of the land. Believers are to follow the teachings of Romans 13 about following the laws of the land. Government leaders must do the same—and the supreme law of our land is the constitution. Yes, the legislature can pass laws. Yes, the executive branch can make executive decisions within the framework of those laws. Yes, the courts can interpret those laws and actions to make sure they are constitutional. All three branches, though, are under a Biblical obligation to follow the constitution.
• Tone down the rhetoric and the actions. Ephesians says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 429, NIV) The vitriol that comes from our leaders (of both parties) is Biblically unacceptable. The putdowns, the profanity, and the name-calling is not appropriate for a nation that wants to claim that it is “a good nation,” and it is exceptionally hypocritical for those who want to call us “a Christian nation.” If we want peace, it must begin with the tongues of our elected leaders.

Understand where I’m coming from. I’m a pastor and a Bible teacher, not a politician. My ultimate allegiance is to Jesus and not the Republicans or Democrats or even our country. My guide is the Bible, and I’m doing my best to apply the Bible correctly to the current political climate. I’m not picking on one party or one administration. I regularly call on both political parties and especially on followers of Jesus to follow Biblical commands.

That’s what I’m doing in this blog.

I call on believers to do the right thing. And I call on our governmental leaders to do the same. Love must come from both sides. Respect must be mutual. Submission is for both. Love is a command to all.

If we want to be a good nation and especially if we want to be a Christian nation, it is imperative that we live and love like Jesus and follow His teachings.

That applies to me. To you. And to each of our governmental leaders.