Our Leaders
by Bryan J. Neva, Sr.
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer.5 Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
by Bryan J. Neva, Sr.
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer.5 Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
- St. Paul (Romans 13:1-7)first century A.D.
As we watch the sound bites of the various Presidential candidates on the evening news it's important to keep in mind that it's God who puts people in positions of power to accomplish his will. This doesn't mean we abandon our common sense, not take part in the debates, or not vote in the election; what it does mean is that we continue to be good citizens and keep those who are in power in our daily prayers as St. Paul taught us.
In fact, one could make the argument that it's God who puts everyone in a position of power even if it's a small organization like a "Mom and Pop" business. Does this mean that God condones poor leadership or sinful behavior? Absolutely not, and nether should we! But it does mean we have an obligation to pray for our leaders no matter what their position in life may be and continue to be good examples of righteous behavior in our workplace, our community, our state, and our country.