4 Questions to Consider as You Think about the President

With each name, are you thinking prayers, intercession, thanksgiving, or is it something else? I am not trying to say this is easy. I am trying to say this is necessary. The objective is not to be in right standing politically, but to be in right standing before the Lord. Though some will try to make the case that these two things are the same, they are not.

Paul could not be any clearer. When we do these things, this is good and pleasing to God. That means when we don’t them, it is not good and not pleasing to him. Here is a simple question.

Do you want to please God?

This is not always going to be the popular decision, but let’s put a higher priority on pleasing God than anything else. When you do that, then the fourth question has greater impact on those around you.

I think sometimes we forget as Christians that the world is watching. They are looking at how we engage with each other and how we engage with those who are not believers. It’s fascinating that this is exactly what Jesus said. Consider this verse.

The thing that will set us apart from the world is how we love each other. Think of all the characteristics that define love and imagine if we simply displayed those – especially towards those in authority.

Instead of being easily frustrated and annoyed, and saying the first thing that comes to mind, how about responding with patience.

Instead of insulting and name calling, especially with those in your circle who agree with you politically, how about showing kindness to the person in office.

Instead of dishonoring the office, how about showing respect and honor to it.

Are these things easy? Not at all. But like I said earlier, they are necessary and here is why they are. Because we want people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ask yourself, is it worth biting your tongue or holding your words if it could help bring someone to the knowledge of the truth? I would say a resounding yes, but you must come to that conclusion for yourself. The truth about thinking Biblically about these matters is it forces us to look at them from an eternal perspective. When you do that, then it becomes a lot easier to let some of these things go.

I want to reiterate this is not easy and I have not gotten this right all the time. Yet, I want to. Not because I am ever going to agree with or like every president that gets elected. More so because I want my life to reflect Christ. If that means humbling myself, or obeying what God asks, then so be it. There is more at stake the who is in the White House. There is an eternity at stake for everyone.

Somehow, I think God is more interested in that outcome than who is in the White House. Maybe it’s time that we take that same mindset too. 

In this episode of Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing World, we kick off a series of talks on Christian Nationalism. Using the Neighborly Faith survey on Christian Nationalism as a jumping-off point, host Dr. James Spencer will discuss the statements that those designated "adherents" of Christian Nationalism strongly agree with and disagree with. The goal is to situate the Church and state within an appropriate theological and biblical perspective. Join us for this thought-provoking episode!

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Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club.  He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. His most recent book is The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has just released his first Bible study course called Bible Study Basics. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com.