A case for repentance

I started a firestorm on Facebook, so rather than muddy up a comment thread, I’ll post my case here. 

In that facebook thread, a friend stated that God is in control of Obama becoming president elect, and that we prayed that God would put in who He wanted – and God appointed Obama.

I still don’t agree (respectfully).

Then another friend posted Romans 13:1. While I can’t disagree with the Bible, I read further in that chapter and see that I am not in disagreement with it.

First, my base argument.  We, as humans – creations of the Father – have free will.  The choice to follow our spirit or follow our soul – our flesh.  America, and especially American Christians, seldom follow our spirit because it is underfed, undernourished, and requires that we consciously attend to it.  We make choices every day based on our flesh – it’s called sin.  When we sin, it’s not God’s Will that we sin – God allows us to make that choice and deal with its consequences.  He can use that to shape us, mold us, convict us – but it’s not God’s Will.  God’s candidate was not Obama or even McCain.  We had a choice of two evils, and the bigger one won.  I even voted for one to keep the other out.  I’m guilty of this as well.

So, there is a difference in God’s Will and God using our choices.  In that – because of the things Obama has said sounding like a socialist or even communist agenda and not openly avid about his faith, I cannot think this was God. 

A nation of wayward people do have more power than God – they can choose to reject Him, and in doing so, remove His blessing.  It’s the freedon God gives us.  Is He God?  Yes!  But at the same time, not every event on Earth is controled by God. 

Will God use this to call His people to Him?  Absolutely.  Did God allow this to happen? Yes.  God uses our bad choice to teach us.

Now, for the submit to authorites thing.  Verse 7 states, “Give everyone what you owe
him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect,
then respect; if honor, then honor.”  When our governing leaders turn their head from God, they forfeit their right to respect and honor. 

Even more, we as CITIZENS, governed not by a person, but the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, have a duty to the nation.  To the defence of the freedom to worship freely, engage in commerce freely, and not be afraid of our government. When our freedoms are infringing upon, we are to fight to defend them. 

It may well come to that in the next 4 or 6 or 8 years.  Following God now isn’t going to make our lives OK.  It will put us in position to follow His Path when the storms that are sure to come pass.