PRO-Government

“Hello, Garci?”

That controversial wiretapped chat on cheating in the last election between President GMA and COMELEC Commissioner Garcillano stirred up loud protests demanding her resignation. Peso-dollar exchange remained volatile. Prices of almost everything went up. It seems we are polarized as a nation.

As Christians, we cannot help but be involved. Yes, we are heavenly-minded. But we should have earthly good. What do we do in the midst of this brewing storm?

We should become PRO-Government. Now, before you react, allow me to explain. One of the three institutions that God ordained is the government. (The other two are the church and the family.) “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.” (Romans 13:1-2, Contemporary English Version) How we relate to the government reflects on our relationship with God.

So, first we must PRAY for the government. “Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God.” (1 Timothy 2:2) Do you want that kind of quality life? Then pray! We have no right to criticize or complain if we are not praying for the government. And this is good and pleasing to God (v. 3) Most of all, pray for revival. What we need as a country is a change of heart, not a change of government.

Second, we must RESPECT the government. We are commanded to “revere God. Respect the government.” (1 Peter 2:17, The Message) How can we say we revere God when we don’t respect the government? In Romans 13:1-7, three times the Apostle Paul called those in government as “God’s servants.” During the New Testament times, the empire was anything but respectable. However, the apostles called on us to respect those in power. Yes, we may disagree with their decisions and actions. But we must do so with respect.

Third, we must OBEY the government. One way of doing that is by paying our taxes. We are to “obey the rulers because… it is the right thing to do, and not just because of God's anger. [We] must also pay [our] taxes.” (Romans 13:5-6, Contemporary English Version) And not only paying our taxes on time but paying it right.

So we must PRAY for, RESPECT and OBEY the government. Someone wrote, “What makes people good Christians ought to make them good citizens.”

Yours in Christ,

Bro. Eyriche Cortez
Associate Pastor, English Worship Service

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