A Meeting with the President

Suppose I was awakened this morning by an official call from a government representative of our United States of America.  This official told me that I had been granted a one-on-one audience with the President tomorrow morning at 5:00 a.m. for breakfast.  How would I reply?  “Thank you for the offer, but 5:00 a.m. is really early.  I need my sleep, so I’ll pass this time.”  I think not!  Though I certainly don’t agree with most of our current President’s decisions and values, I would not pass the opportunity to meet with him and express my views and opinions as an American citizen.  Some opportunities are just too valuable to dismiss.

Well, I did not receive that call this morning, nor do I expect such an offer to come my way.  While I may never have the opportunity to meet the President face to face, I have an opportunity that is much greater than a breakfast date.  As a citizen of this great country, I have been given the wonderful privilege of voting into office the “Commander-in-Chief” of the United States of America.  In Romans 13:1, Christians are instructed by the Holy Spirit, through the pen of the Apostle Paul to “be subject to the governing authorities.”  This simply means that in whatever form of government a Christian finds himself, he is to obey that government, as long as he is not asked to violate the clear teachings of the Word of God.  A Russian is to obey his governing authorities, a Japanese is to obey his governing authorities, a South African is to obey his governing authorities, and on it goes around the world.  As citizens of the United States, our form of government is a democracy, allowing us the freedom and privilege of electing our leaders.  It is part of our responsibility as Americans.  Some might argue that, as Christians, we are no longer citizens of this earth, but of heaven.  In a spiritual sense, that is correct.  In an earthly sense, we are still here, living out our lives for God’s glory.  As a reminder, in Acts 25, Paul used the privilege of his Roman citizenship to gain an audience with Caesar upon being falsely accused and facing a death sentence.  He used the privilege afforded him as a citizen of an earthly government.  If I am to be subject to my governing authorities and these authorities give me the privilege of voting in and voting out leaders, based upon my values and beliefs, then I am to avail myself of this opportunity.  To refuse, in my opinion, is gross dereliction of duty.  It is reported that only about 50 percent of Christians in America are registered to vote.  Of those, only 50 percent show up at the polls, meaning 75 percent of all Christians are not taking advantage of one of their greatest privileges.  I find this statistic hard to swallow.  Edmund Burke was correct when he said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Tomorrow morning, you will not likely be awakened with a phone call offering a meeting with the President, but something even greater.  You will have the privilege of voting.  Don’t decide to pass, but do your duty as a Christian American.  The future direction of America depends on it!