The 44th President

The 44^th President

On April 30, 1789, George Washington took his oath of office as the President of the newly formed United States of America. Two hundred twenty-four years later the 44^th President took his oath of office. For the child of God the events of inauguration set a course defined by the will of Him who ordained the authority of governing bodies. What attitudes are found in the heart of Christians when a President is sworn in to the office of Commander-in-Chief and Chief Executive of this country?

First there is subjection.  The Holy Spirit said, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2). The Christian’s role regarding the 44^th President is one of subjection. Refusing to be in subjection to the governing authorities will bring judgment from God (v2). In the text of Romans 13 Paul reminds the Christian to “do good” (v3), recognize the President as the “minister of God” (v4) and we must all “be subject” (v5). He concludes by saying, “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7).

Secondly we recognize the need to honor the 44^th President. Peter uses the same language in 1 Peter 2:12-17 – “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:12-17). Our conduct needs to show honor to those in authority by submitting to “the ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake” so those in the world may see our light and know the salt of our influence (Matthew 5:13-16). The fear of God goes hand in hand with the honor given to the “king” (Proverbs 24:21).

Third, we are to pray for the 44^th President. Paul exhorted Timothy to offer “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks” for all men and “for kings and all who are in authority” for this is “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1-3). These prayers are efforts to obtain good things through the mercy of God. Supplications seek to avert evil that may come; prayers invoke the blessing of good things on this land; intercession desires action on behalf of others; and giving of thanks. Jesus taught His disciples to “bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44) and this includes those who sit in authority in this nation.

We know the President does not rule in the affairs of men – God does (Daniel 4:25). The attitudes of the children of God must be in accordance with His will – regardless of who is President. May our hearts be attuned to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16) as we subject ourselves to the 44^th President.