Respect President Obama - a Biblical/Christian perspective
Now as much as I dislike the things Obama is doing (or at least being told to do), I also feel we should respect the office and authority he's been given. Here is a Biblical perspective, a commentary written by Mark Jenkins from The Trumpet magazine:
Respect President Obama
by Mark Jenkins
The Philadelphia Trumpet
Last year, President Bush was on the receiving end of an airborne shoe. Rather than express outrage, other leaders mocked the incident. Dozens of games appeared online where people could throw shoes at a digital President Bush. Still, the shoe incident was mild compared to the verbal bombs hurled at him for the last eight years.
Now, President Obama’s visage is plastered across conservative websites made up to look like Heath Ledger’s Joker, a grotesque caricature of a clown bent on destruction. President Obama is now subject to similar harassment as that which his predecessor suffered.
Regardless of politics, religion, social class, gender, race, the president represents the highest office in America. When the leader of what claims to be the most powerful country in the world is insulted, do we add our voice to the discontent—or do we register our disagreements respectfully? This matter isn’t about Barack Obama as a man; it’s about his lawfully obtained office and the country he represents.
But his agenda!, some might respond. And yes, the cap-and-trade, auto-bailout, universal-health-care, quasi-socialist agenda he promotes incenses many of us. His support of abortion, homosexuality and other parts of his stated intent for our country directly contradict the Bible. We can and should attack sin—and the Trumpet does—but that does not justify disrespecting the office President Obama holds.
In ancient Israel, was David against King Saul’s agenda to murder him? Of course, but David still knew it would be wrong to kill King Saul when the opportunity came, instead cutting off only a small piece of his robe (1 Samuel 24:3-4).
Even that turned out to be more than the future king could stomach (verse 5). King Saul was no longer in favor with God, prophesied to lose his office, and chasing David himself like a wild animal for slaughter. Still, David’s respect for King Saul’s God-ordained office came first: “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord” (verse 6).
Jesus Christ showed respect to every human ruler He came into contact with—not because of the men, but because of the offices they held. He didn’t even rail against those who murdered Him!
Jude 8-10 warn about speaking evil of dignities, pointing out that the archangel Michael, while contending with Satan for Moses’s body, “durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.” That was talking about the most evil being ever to exist.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resist what God has appointed …” (Romans 13:1; Revised Standard Version). We may have elections, but no man takes office without God allowing him to do so.
The spirit of rebellion against those in office comes from Satan. He expressed his own desire to overthrow God’s government. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit” (Isaiah 14:12-15).
A person might say, though, God’s government is perfect. President Obama’s is not! Well, neither was Pontius Pilate’s; neither was King Saul’s. Neither was Ronald Reagan’s or Winston Churchill’s. No human leader has ever led a perfect government. God does not sanction abusive leadership, but He will judge those men—not us.
The real question here, then, is not about the men who hold these positions of power. It is about us, our respect for their offices—and our respect for the God who allows them to hold their offices!
The next time you read a news source slamming one of this world’s leaders, ask yourself what the intent is. The United States was built on freedom of speech, and every man should have a voice—especially as we see the American economy systematically dismantled and society collapsing morally. But there is a difference between simply exposing a wrong agenda and disrespecting a dignitary—something a true Christian should never do. Do the news sources you use deliberately strip President Obama’s title as a means of removing the dignity of his office? Do they mock him with cartoons and use the worst images of him they can find? Do the discussions you join go beyond attacking a wrong agenda—attacking sin—and descend into speaking evil of dignities?
Rather than join in with a show of disrespect, honor the highest office in the country—the president of the United States—by attacking sin, not the sinner, just as Jesus Christ would. •
Hey sierradawn
I think you got lost. The website you need to go to is serve.gov or whatever.
Bye, bye. Love and kisses.
And since WeThe People Created the office, ...
"We" being the natural-born gifted creations of a higher sovereign power--We who created an artificial entity (government) to serve us, We logically have a higher status than any artificial thing we may create for any reason whatsoever. How can something that is artificially created by a natural being be of higher status than us?
Are you trying to say because we were gifted w/brains to create artificial mechanisms to serve us, that we then have to take a back seat to our creations? Without us there would never be a need for, lets say, tables, chairs--or even governments. The higher source of sovereign power didn't create governments--people did! Whatever we create is artificial if it can't exist in nature and replicate itself w/out us. I ain't buying the propaganda--we are the ones who must be respected by our creations, just as we must respect the higher source of power that created us naturally and not artificially!
Mark Puppet Jenkins
A discussion of Romans 13:1-10
http://aubreyfalconer.com/view-240
The above article is false
The above article is false teaching of the worst kind.
The story of John the Baptist is just one of many examples of calling out evil rulers.
Herod Antipas was jewish ruler over Galilee territory which at the time was a state of the Roman Empire. He was basically a puppet ruler. John boldly condemned Herod and his second wife for adultery which was against jewish law. For this, Herod had him arrested and beheaded. John knew full well the risk in confronting this 'ruler' with the truth yet he fulfilled his duty, even giving his life for it. Jesus himself later said, "Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist"
Trust in God, but tie your camel tight.
"Socialism needs two legs on which to stand; a right and a left. While appearing to be in complete opposition to one another,they both march in the same direction." - Paul Proctor
He didn't get the office
legally.
You sound like you are part of the World Council of Churches or the Natl Council of Churches. You sound like a neocon. You sound like a NWO Christian of which there are very, very many. You sound like you are one of the many ministers who met to learn how to control the crowd when martial law comes.
We are not a communist nation and God does not want us to be. You can respect a criminal and still put him to death. I respect him, I just want him out of my life.
BTW, I am a Christian counselor.
Satan himself
could be sitting in that office and the ignorant Christians would be saying ... Give the man a chance.
Haha
VERY well put!
If we truly understood the power we have been given
We would feel pretty foolish. I used to dislike Obama..now I don't cause I have come to realize we truly have direct access to total power to change anything we don't like...Obama is exactly what most people want...cause we refuse to take the responsibility on our own shoulders.....in the 1930's...all title of real property, all the gold and silver..all the real assets were taken from the citizens, but they had to be replaced with something of EQUAL or GREATER value...they gave you something much GREATER....they gave you the ability to CREATE MONEY...that's right, the only money "created" is done through your signature...they take your newly created debt and then mulitiply it out ten times to finance industry. Once you start to realize that you cannot "pay" for ANYTHING and no one can get PAID for ANYTHING...you start to realize...EVERYTHING HAS BEEN PRE-PAID! We are not balancing the books and acquiring the corresponding "asset" we create everytime we create a "debt note/promissary note" it's a "promise to pay" not a "payment itself" so you can never OWN ANYTHING because you do not have the means to PAY for anything, any transaction now is NOT of equal value...exchanging paper for land etc....we are all acting like a bunch of irresponsible debtors and are refusing to take the responsibility to learn how to become the creditors we were always intended to be and BALANCE OUR BOOKS.....WE ARE DYING BECAUSE WE ARE REFUSING TO CREATE SOMETHING WHICH WE HAVE IN UNLIMITED ABUNDANCE.
There are TWO sides to our world...Public and Private
There are only liabilities in the public (FRN's, Checks, Credit Cards, Mortgages etc)
The REAL ASSETS CANNOT BE IN THE PUBLIC (gold, silver...allodial property title) ..not deed for property (rental agreement)...not "certificate" of title for cars (think paper-silver "certificate") etc.
It's not about being OWNER (debtor) it's about who controls the title..cause in the end you are going to die one day so you will have to give up your property eventually...but as long as you CONTROL it during the expanse of your lifetime...who cares? Own NOTHING...CONTROL EVERYTHING! They have given you the power to control your own commercial affairs...but if you are too afraid...too mindless...too heartless...you cannot do it....thus OBAMA TO THE RESCUE!
Somebody has to take the responsibilty if we refuse
Stop being a debtor and become a creditor. Your whole world will change.
i respect the office
not what has been done with it.
( {: >{| }
Respect This!
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." TJ
"Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. – Liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition" – Lord Acton
"Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. – Liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition" – Lord Acton
and another thing...
This kind of sewage was spouted by Joel Osteen in one of his sermons back in 2005/2006ish and I remember that exact sermon made my switch flick on and recognize he was spouting more of the same crap that an oppressive government wants the religious people to hear...
http://www.DirectPT.com
Pat Robertson favors world government.
Maybe Osteen is a bird of that feather.
____
"Take hold of the future or the future will take hold of you." -- Patrick Dixon
A Tyrant is a Tyrant
Should we call him by another name ?
Should we respect Hitler, Vlad the Impaler, Stalin and Mau ?
____
"Take hold of the future or the future will take hold of you." -- Patrick Dixon
Quick summary of why I think this is BS
So the jews should just have sat idly by and watched as their neighbors and family members got hauled off to the camps, because, ya know...Hitler was the leader of the country.
THIS IS THE EXACT DAMN INFO THAT HE USED to keep the people docile.
BS, throw this article and this opinion in the river, it's a red herring.
http://www.DirectPT.com
Respect is a two way street...
and Obama is just a U-turn on to a dead end road.
"respect the office and authority he's been given."
Respect must be earned, it's not automatic. I've seen little done by any administration that deserves respect.
Authority should be disputed when it's unjust and oppressive.
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Fossils Rock!
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
Since when did the president
Since when did the president become our "king", this isn't a monarchy.
Paul the apostle
Wonder why Paul broke out of jail? He wrote quite a bit of the new testament and for some reason didn't respect the authorities. Didn't Peter bust out of jail too?
Jesus felt compelled to throw out the
corrupt money changers, so I think he would be on our side on this...certainly with Ending the Fed!!
R3VOLution
When the presidents start conducting themselves...
...in a more 'presidential' manner, I will begin respecting the position.
Until then, while they continue to serve the special interests of a few well-monied interests instead of the American people, they will continue to receive my disdain.
I may not know the truth, but I know when I'm being lied to...
I may not know the truth, but I know when I'm being lied to...
Your argument is very weak
So, following your logic it was appropriate for people to respect Adolf Hitler when he was in power, but only because of the position he held.
I doubt Jesus would approve.
and they did ...
the German Christians that is..... not only "respected" but OBEYED.... tragic and sad... but it stems from a continued false teaching and robotic acceptance regarding Romans 13...... See the 3 part Romans 13 posts below ....
So much of the impotence and acquiescence to Government authority for we Christians..... comes DIRECTLY from there.... I hope it helps some to get UNbrainwashed from feeling "helpless" when it comes to resisting tyranny.
Cheers and Blessings 2U. G.
Agreed, Romans 13 is widely misused!
I am told that I will know who are His and that they will know I am His in one way only; by the love that we show for each other.
My obedience to any person is not required.
Many misused verses...
The Bible is full of misused verses.
While I agree with the Adolph Hitler position... I do think there is a time and place to voice opinion. Everyone deserves their fair shake of time to state their position. Imagine if it was President Paul up there being heckled by a socialist in the audience.
Eitherway it was funny and described exactlly how many of the viewers felt.
"Although I may disagree with what you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it."
"Every advance first comes into being as the luxury of a few rich people, only to become, after a time, the indispensable necessity taken for granted by everyone." Mises
Two comments (respectfully):
(1) It's not a good idea to read other peoples' mail.
(2) Due to violation of the constitution, the current government (including the potus) is not a legitimate authority. The calls to rise up may not be for those to whom the bible is written, but they are for those who are interested in restoring the founders' vision for the sake of a better life for our children.
I never understood this
I never understood this "respect the office", especially when the power and purpose of the office has been abused and distorted.
I do support Obama's intent but certainly not his policies. I have a hard time understanding how there's so many intelligent people in government yet nothing good really ever happens.
I do like the fact that Obama taught Constitutional Law for 12 years and I have some unrealistic hope that he will do something good. I think it's a good idea to try to persuade Obama and others in government rather than always fighting against them.
I believe we should be focusing on the solutions more not the problems, and I sincerely believe if we do that eventually someone in government will listen since (theoretically) our ideas and policies will be better.
The debate is bigger than just more government/less government. We all want to improve society and live better lives -- there has to be a legitimate way to do that.
Ryan, Ryan, Ryan...
"I do support Obama's intent but certainly not his policies" (Huh?...WTF?)
"I have some unrealistic hope that he will do something good." (Unrealistic is Right!)
"I think it's a good idea to try to persuade Obama and others in government rather than always fighting against them." (Good Luck With That)
"I sincerely believe if we do that eventually someone in government will listen"
ALRIGHT..THAT'S IT! YOU SIR, PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR, AND STEP BACK FROM THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA. DO IT SLOWLY, CAREFULLY AND DO IT NOW. SLOWLY, SLOWLY...SHOW ME YOUR HANDS...SHOW ME YOUR HANDS! NOW, DOWN ON THE GROUND.
1 year and 43 weeks and this is what you've learned here? What the hell are you, a sleeper agent? Wait...I know...you are one of those people who voted for the "lesser of two evils" which gave you some hope, and us this natural born bastard.
Come back when your able Ryan. We'll find you a good rehab facility...
"...there is no doubt that it (socialism) could not possibly have affected us so widely and so deeply as it has, had it not been heavily financed". - B. Carroll Reece
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Luke 19:27
But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Hebrews 8:4
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
I'm Not In Total Objection Towards You
But, ut oh, here it comes.. a person cannot always comprehend what has been spoken of in the bible by natural means, this is where most folks think that the book contradicts itself and also where confusion of it manifests itself sometimes profusely.
Laugh, He did this purposely! Not just anyone can sit down and read this book and expect to understand it perfectly as it's meant to be. So, when man thinks he's more intelligent than God, God says; "yeah well". He knows who he is! Wisdom was the first thing that he created.
It's purposely done that you must know Him and His Spirit is the witness. People can also be involved as being a witness, He speaks through people. He test people's heart. He is 100% aware that people would take advantage of Him. Not just anyone is GONNA read that book and understand!
In this case though, it's not proven that Obama is the President. Does He respect this argument? A person may ask, does He respect the Constitution? How many biblical principles are written within the Constitution? Are there more principles written within the Constitution than any other Countries have written in their laws? All Countries have something to offer in way of biblical principles or they wouldn't be allowed to exist, it's just in varying degrees. Does the Constitution have more than the others?
And, who's to say that our case can not be argued, improved? The folks takin' about religion error. It's about know Him, not religion, religion is only mentioned how many times in the bible? Once, twice?
You're right...
Just a couple times. And one of them is something like this:
If anyone thinks to be religious, he should bridle his tongue (i.e., shut up).