Politics and Paul

Do you ever have something you know you are supposed to say.... but you really don't want to?
 So you just argue with God for a while.
 Maybe you try watering it down.
 Maybe you try telling someone else. Surely that was what God was saying, right?
 Maybe you even just write it down, stick it on the fridge, and think "haha, I have done it!"

But it doesn't count.

So, here goes.

In case someone has somehow missed it, there is an election coming up. And many people have many things to say about it. Educational things. Opinionated things. Hopeful things and things that predict the end of the world.

I, of course, have my own thoughts about who should be president, but that is not what this post is about. This post is about Paul's words to Timothy nearly 2000 years ago.

"I urge, then, first of all, that request, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - 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 men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1Tim 2:1-4

When Paul was writing this letter to Timothy he had only recently been released from prison. But in his list of those to be prayed for (and given thanks for) the ones who were particularly pointed out where those in authority.
 Whether he agreed with them or not.

 Anyone know who was in charge during the time of Paul's missionary journeys?

 Emperor Nero. Who is best remembered for playing the fiddle while Rome burned, (whether true or not).

 Now, Nero was crazy, and the democracy that Rome began as had become something vastly different... so I am not saying that we should not have opinions, or be involved, or try to make changes where we think they are important. I certainly do not want to end up in a country where feeding people to lions is considered entertainment.

 But I do think that we need to remember WHO we represent when we speak.

 And the end of that passage, verse 4? "who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth"

 That is our first priority. 

 Please, educate yourself and vote . Please, pray daily for those in charge - that they will have wisdom. Please, do all you can, every moment you are awake, to help all men come to a knowledge of the truth.

 Because in the end when life is over - whether beheaded by Nero like Paul, or simply reaching a ripe old age and dying in your sleep - when life is over what matters is knowing that you helped others find the truth. The truth that really matters.

"There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all men." vs5

 And that is truth we can be thankful for.

Blessings my friends,