The political party I normally vote for lost power in the last election. The policies of the current party are largely (IMHO) disastrous. So, I feel some days like “why do I even pay my taxes?” Ever say that yourself? Maybe you said it when the other party was in power… Lol. Voting and elections are part of life in a representative republic democracy. Someone wins for a time, and someone else loses. My faith in God is not shaken, because I happen to have dual citizenship. I was born in the United States, so I have enjoyed citizenship here all my life. But, in my late teens, I gave my life to Christ and became a citizen of heaven. So, I remain but a sojourner here. Jesus was confronted with a challenge to pay the Temple tax. Did He do it? Yes, He always did. Even though (as the Son of God) He was exempt, He still paid it. While we must stand against evil and immorality (we can never do what is against God’s revealed will in the Biblical), we are called to submit to government authority. This is our tension to manage. Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church reminds us “If society is to be changed, it isn’t changed by new laws; it’s changed be new people. May we seek to see that happen till Jesus comes.”
When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” He *said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.” Matthew 17:24-27 NASB
How am I managing the political tension in these days? How has my prayer life been enriched as I pray for those with public leadership responsibilities?
God as this day begins- May I reach out and love someone in Your name today. I pause to pray for those in the highest levels of leadership in our country, bless them with wisdom from above. Protect this people, forgive our sin, and heal us. I also pray for local leaders too, may they walk in integrity and serve well those who have elected them.
BONUS: Pastor and Bible teacher John MacArthur of Grace Community Church posed the question… “There’s a lot of questions being asked about how involved should Christians be in politics; how involved should we be in fighting against the system; how critical should we be of our leaders, our senate, our legislature, our judicial branch?” See his excellent sermon here: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2326/the-believer-as-a-citizen
