In one of my seminary classes the professor said something along the lines that we should choose to stay away from Politics because we have already chosen one controversial antagonistic perspective and choosing two would suggest we were a glutton for punishment. At the time I was offended, arguing politics had become one of my favorite past times. I enjoy the world of politics, the debates and the feeling that somehow you have the “right cause” at heart…

But was I right?

Well according to the Bible it is Gods Authority to ordain leaders and our responsibility to submit to them. This is a jagged little pill for some to swallow because in our humanistic viewpoint that somehow the world spins around our will, God appointing a wicked ruler seems absurd. He is Sovereign and he appoints all authorities here on earth, be they kings or presidents, their authority comes from God. 

“Wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them” Daniel 2:20-21

Romans 13:1 “There is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

John 19:10 “Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” 11 Jesus answered,“You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above…”

The Bible says this so we realize that God gave Pilate the authority he had to crucify his Son. That Gods Sovereign will superseded all, and that what looked like a tragedy, became the most prolific act of righteousness the world had or will ever know.

I would urge you to take a look at the life of Joseph to help you understand how God uses bad situations to bring about his greater good and ultimately his divine will, which through his Sovereignty is always preserved. And perhaps look at the background of many of Gods appointed to see he prefers to pick those that have less than pristine characters. 

Abraham was a liar and a coward. Moses killed a man and was in hiding. David was a murder and an adulterer but God used them all. He doesn’t look for those that are perfect, he uses those that will fulfill his Sovereign will perfectly. 

I dabble in politics now and again these days, yet I do not allow myself to be consumed by them as I had in the past. Accepting and acknowledging the fact that my opinion on the matter has no power or purpose helps me to stay away. When we pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” we are praying for Gods perfect will be done regardless of what our will wants. This is submitting to our Father with a servants heart. Saying we trust his divine plan and that he has knowledge that far surpasses our own. Praying for Gods will and for our leaders to fulfill it, is our only part in politics. 

Gods Sovereign will appoints all earthly authority and he justly uses them to execute judgements and blessings. There is no need to allow political views to enter the pulpit or create a stumbling block in relationships when you assume your proper role. When you realize you are not judging the leaders appointed but actually questioning Gods authority and judgement in doing so, you quit being so politically minded and get biblically corrected. Understand that God is ultimately always in control of everything, good and bad, and he is constantly working it out to the good of those that believe! 

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28