Honor the King

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1Peter 2:17

Ken Ham wrote a post after this week’s certification of the presidential vote that reminded us of what Isaiah said about God’s perspective on the affairs of nations:

Ham then listed scriptures that told us of the importance of trusting in God and not in man, and reminded us that the problem in our nation is sin, not politics, and that we should be focused on sharing the gospel. None of this is new information from Ken; he’s been saying these things for years, but this article really put it all together at a time we need to hear it. I suggest you read it.

Political Turmoil

Conservative Christians and political conservatives are upset by this week’s outcomes, and most of them believe the integrity of our election system has been severely compromised. Some fear that America’s economy will fail because of the promised policy changes, and that the continual shedding of innocent blood will bring God’s wrath on the nation. They might not be wrong.
What should be my response as a believer in Jesus Christ?

Honor the king.

If all goes as expected, Joe Biden will be the President of our country on and after January 20th. He will be our “king”, And I will honor him as the top human ruler in our land, as Peter explains,

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. 1 Peter 2: 13-16

Peter then gives us the commands of verse 17: Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

But this king?

We don’t have a problem with the first three parts of this verse. We nod with assent that they are all good ideas. And a lot of us were glad to honor Donald Trump as our president because we believe he was God’s agent to revive our country.

We don’t have the same confidence in Joe Biden. In fact, from his history and the statements he and those around him have made, we are sure he will do much harm to liberty in the country. However, we must still honor him.

Many think the Biden administration has promised to extend infanticide and destroy parental rights. We must still honor him.

Their economic and health policies may destroy the economy. We still must honor him.

They may allow persecution of Christian churches. We must still honor him.

Peter knew what he was saying. Read the rest of the chapter (1 Peter 2). Peter tells us it’s better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. He says Christ gave us an example of suffering and submission that we must follow:

“Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:22-23

Peter knew about evil kings. He was imprisoned and sentenced to death by King Herod, but was rescued by an angel (Acts 12:3-10). He wrote this epistle a few years before he was crucified for his Christianity by the Roman emperor Nero. He knew the government would martyr him (John 21:18), yet he wrote to us to do well and patiently endure suffering.

What to do?

What will I do, as a Christian living in an ungodly nation? I will do good (Luke 6:27-31), and endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). I will preach the word (2 Timothy 4:1-2). I will focus on the Lord Jesus and be ready to give answers to the lost (1 Peter 3:15).

However, I will not do evil or submit to evil laws. Laws of man that are in clear conflict with the laws of God must be opposed. The scripture has many examples of men who opposed evil ruler’s laws, sometimes successfully (Elijah, Daniel), sometimes at the cost of their liberty or lives (Jeremiah, Zechariah).

I will not condone the killing of babies. I will not submit to healthcare laws that defile my conscience before God. I will only recognize marriage as between one man and one woman, and I will recognize only those genders.

There may come a time when standing against ungodly American laws may carry a heavy price, as it already does in many places around the world. But if that happens, we have hope:

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 1 Peter 3:14-16 (NKJV)

So I will honor my kings. First my King of the kingdom not of this world (John 18:36-37), because He is worthy. Then the president, my king in this world, not because he is worthy, but because it is an honor to my Great King (Psalm 47:2), and He is worthy (Revelation 4:11).

By His calling, in His strength,

Dean

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The Families from the Beginning newsletter provides twice-monthly insights and ministry updates. Click here to sign up for this email newsletter. Previous newsletters are here.