Leaders Need the Gospel Too
Our respectful integrity and prayers become part of our witness.
Leaders Need the Gospel Too
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: it’s really hard to stay angry with someone for whom you pray every day. Prayer has a way of changing not only their heart, but ours too.
Yesterday we looked at God’s sovereignty over governments. Today, let’s look at our responsibility toward those who serve in them. Look at these verses.
Paul writes,
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority…” (1 Timothy 2:1–2)
Peter adds,
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution… Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:13, 17).
Notice the prayer and respect.
Throughout the Bible we repeatedly find God’s people standing before powerful rulers. Joseph and Pharaoh, Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar, Esther and the Persian king. These leaders were not just obstacles. They desperately needed to know the truth about God.
That should shape the way we think and act towards our political leaders.
When Paul stood before Roman officials, he proclaimed Christ to them. It’s easy to think of our leaders only through politics and headlines. Our faith reminds us that they are also men and women who will one day stand before the same Judge we all will. They need wisdom. They need God’s grace and the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our respectful integrity and prayers become part of our witness. Peter reminds us that by doing what is right we can “silence the ignorance of foolish men.” A gracious spirit speaks much louder than an angry argument.
Not that we never disagree with them. Faithful Christians have always stood courageously for truth. But even when we disagree, we are called to do so in a manner that reflects the character of Christ.
Here’s what I’d like you to do today: Choose 3 leaders: a local one, a state one and a national leader. Pray specifically that God would give each one wisdom, protect them from evil and draw them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Then ask God to make your words and your conduct a testimony that points others—not to your politics—but to your Savior.
Our leaders may change but our calling remains the same: honor God, love people, proclaim Christ and pray faithfully for those He has placed in positions of authority.
