Trust in the Midst of
Political Turmoil
By Julio Severo
The Apostle Paul lived through one of the
bloodiest times of persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire, which
killed Christians.
But instead of pointing to the darkness
and wickedness of the politicians of his day and instead of worrying about the
cruelty of the governments of his time, he encouraged Christians:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will
say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at
hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)
Many people might ask, “But how did Paul
manage to have such a calm and confident attitude while the Roman emperor
slaughtered Christians?”
Paul trusted in Jesus, who reigns in an
eternal and indestructible government. This government is called the Kingdom of
God, with unshakable laws and with spiritual “politics” that heal the soul and
the body and destroy the works of the devil.
Paul understood that he was a citizen of
that heavenly kingdom.
With such an understanding, he could ask
for prayer for the cruel Roman emperor:
“First of all, then, I urge that
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all
people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a
peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it
is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)
In cruelty and sadism, the Roman emperor
was nothing different from the worst communist dictator or Islamic tyrant. Many
today, looking only at the effects of human government, would pray only for the
emperor to die soon.
Paul would have these feelings if he only
looked down, not up. He was arrested by the Roman Empire and its authorities
more than once. And in the end he was executed by the Roman Empire.
However, looking only at the powerful
effects of the Kingdom of God, Paul prayed and asked Christians to pray that the
bloody Roman emperor would be saved and attain a knowledge of the truth.
Nothing the Roman Empire or any other
human government could do could undermine the Government of God and the
salvation He gives to those who accept Jesus. Whoever is a citizen of the
Kingdom of God is eternally secure in an unshakable Government, no matter how
much human governments are shaken and shake their afflicted citizens.
When we look at human governments and
their effects, we are discouraged and unwilling to feel joy. But when we look
at the Kingdom of God, an eternally winning government, we rejoice, as Paul
did.
Human governments always disappoint.
The Government of God never disappoints
and always makes happy those who have their eyes fixed on Jesus.
Portuguese
version of this article: Confiança em meio a turbulências
políticas
Source: Last Days Watchman
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