It is tough times when Paul writes young Timothy and says,
1Timothy 2: 1 ¶ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
We must realize that early Christians had it difficult as it pertained to leadership.
I know many if not most were not excited over the outcome of our recent elections and I have heard people speak as though America as we know it is coming to an end.
Early Christians had no say in who would govern them yet they were being told to make supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks for all men, for kings and all who are in authority!
Now before we say that is just too difficult an instruction lets consider the instruction that says,
Matthew 5:43 ¶ "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
So lets not assume here that this instruction Paul gave Timothy to give to the church is based on ideal circumstances. Paul does not say that if you have a godly government leader pray for him. He says all men, for kings, and all in authority. That would have included Emporer Nero who was insane and killed Christians!
Now that puts this in better perspective in light of our own times.
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
