Our view of politicians and what the Bible says

As much as it might hurt....your vote does count - so do it intelligently and prayerfully!

Here are a few passages from The Bible that spell out our attitute to our leaders - whoever they might be.

(Please note: the political climate was much more volitile when these were written, which makes the statements even more powerful)

Pray for politicians

1 Timothy 2

"How To Pray. First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honour God. This kind of prayer is good, and it pleases God our Saviour."

Don't break the law

Romans 13

Obey Rulers. Obey the rulers who have authority over you. Only God can give authority to anyone, and he puts these rulers in their places of power. People who oppose the authorities are opposing what God has done, and they will be punished. Rulers are a threat to evil people, not to good people. There is no need to be afraid of the authorities. Just do right, and they will praise you for it. After all, they are God's servants, and it is their duty to help you. If you do something wrong, you ought to be afraid, because these rulers have the right to punish you. They are God's servants who punish criminals to show how angry God is. But you should obey the rulers because you know it is the right thing to do, and not just because of God's anger. You must also pay your taxes. The authorities are God's servants, and it is their duty to take care of
these matters. Pay all that you owe, whether it is taxes and fees or respect and honor.

Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands. In the Law there are many commands, such as, "Be faithful in marriage. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not want what belongs to others." But all of these are summed up in the command that says, "Love others as much as you love yourself." No one who loves others will harm them. So love is all that the Law demands. "

On rare occasions you may have to choose between obeying God or obeying your leaders (make sure you are right first!) and be prepared for the backlash
Acts 5
Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! (read on to see what happened)