Rendering Unto Caesar

Geo. Booth — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 03:36:18 +0000

Obey the king, but remember: he's just renting!

Here are my thoughts on the aftermath of our recent US elections:

I started my outline on this subject before election day, and I found that it really jelled after I began reading and seeing friends’ reactions on social media. I believe we are not our own, and that we not only have obligations to God, but to those he puts in authority over us for our good. We also have an irrevocable obligation to love our neighbor. Full stop.

To those who view an unfavorable outcome at the ballot box as a loophole, let me tell you that you are mistaken. Be careful not to let your grief and disappointment cause you to disgrace yourselves. And to those who are tempted to gloat, let me tell you that you also are mistaken. I saw the condescension directed at Trump supporters by critics on the left and the right, and the temptation to get revenge is no doubt strong. But there is more productive work for you to do.

No matter which side had won, there is still only one standard for faithful people:

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. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

^“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

-Romans 13:1-10 (NIV)

And there’s this:

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” – 1 Peter 2:13-21 (ESV)

We have four years until the next election, and we have broad agreement around what constitutes a good life and a healthy society. Let’s build from there together, and seek the good of our society. Flaming one another won’t get it done.

One more thing: To those of you hyperventilating that President-elect Trump is “literally Hitler, ” please consider the possibility that you have been hypnotized. Seriously. I think that belief is ridiculous, and to accept it you must be willing to disregard your own knowledge and life-long experience of your family members, your friends, and your country to believe they are fools, knaves, and crypto-nazis. That can’t be right. Give the new guy a chance. If he turns out to be literally Hitler, I’ll help you overthrow him.

So how about you: How are you prepared to honor God through your obedience to civil authority and loving your neighbor? Share your thoughts below.

P.S. In case you’re wondering where I got that bit about the husband being the head of his wife, here it is from 1 Corinthians 11:3 — “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” More on this and other related subjects later.

OntozoanRendering Unto Caesar – Ontozoan

Rendering Unto Caesar

So how about you: How are you prepared to honor God through your obedience to civil authority and loving your neighbor? Share your thoughts below.