God is in Charge!

(Note: This was written before the US Election. It applies for whoever wins)

God is in charge!

The Bible begins with an assumption – “In the beginning, God....” (Genesis 1:1). The Bible is a sacred writing about God and God’s work in the world. Our starting point is always God. Anything less than God makes our thinking clouded and imperfect.

A Christian worldview is a theocentric or God-centered worldview.

God is at work in the world achieving his purposes.

The Bible is HIStory; God’s activity in the world.

Daniel 2:19- 21

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;

    wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons;

    he deposes kings and raises up others.

He gives wisdom to the wise

    and knowledge to the discerning.

Romans 13:1

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.

How do we respond to God’s ordained government?

I Peter 2:11- 17 11 

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (Compare I Peter 3:15-16)

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (Compare Romans 13:3-5)

15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Our responsibility:

I Timothy 2: 1-7

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

Questions for discussion:

1.    What does it mean that God ordains who will lead a nation?

2.    What does it mean that government is there for our good?

3.    Why do we pray for our leaders?

4.    What might be the consequence if we fail to keep up our part of the bargain to pray for our government?