Is it possible to disagree with someone and still be respectful? It doesn’t seem that way. From some of the highest public offices to the streets of our cities, it doesn’t seem like the American public can be respectful to one another. However, no matter who occupies a government office and no matter their policies, there are things that we owe them.
The Bible is very clear on our responsibility toward government. We owe them our submission. “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities” (Rom. 13:1-5; 1 Pet. 2:13-15). No one is outside the scope of submission to governing authorities. We owe them our taxes. “For because of this you also pay taxes” (Rom. 13:6-7). When Jesus was questioned about this He responded, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25). We also owe them respect and honor. “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men” (Tit. 3:1-2; Rom. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:17; Jude 8-9). We should not be among those caught up in speaking ill of our elected officials. We can certainly disagree with policies and choices that are made. We cannot belittle the individual or malign the office itself. We shouldn’t do that to anyone, much less one who is in office. Another thing that we owe those in office is our prayers. It is more powerful than any vote that could be cast. “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, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). There are many slogans that have been bantered about over the years like, “Rock the vote” or “Get the vote out.” One that would be more appropriate for us is, “Prayerfully vote.” Our aim in this is to live quiet and peaceable lives in service to God.
We must not fail in our obligations. Our political differences do not justify speaking or posting poorly of others or our leaders. We need to think about our influence and those that we will try and reach even after this is all over. Remember Nero was ruler in Rome during much of the writing of the New Testament. During that time, we don’t read of the church marching, picketing or leading rebellions. I recognize the government systems are much different. However, in all the turmoil that the church faced, we only read about prayerful compliance. When it comes to our worship and affecting the very way in which we are to live, that’s when we read about peaceful civil disobedience. We are not to that point. We “have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in [our] striving against sin” (Heb. 12:4). Let us render what is due.