“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” ~ 1 Peter 2:17
If modern politics has taught me anything, it’s that ‘good’ politicians are few and far between. A brief look at the Presidential debates last night only confirmed that perspective.
However, regardless of the status of politics in the United States now or in the future, I’m reminded that we do not offer respect to the man, but to the office. Regardless of who wins the coming election, or elections in the future, as a Christian, I am obligated to offer him or her respect.
Not as bad as Nero
When we’re tempted to think that things are bad in the US, remember that Peter likely wrote the verse above when Nero was emperor. Nero came to power in AD 54, and Peter likely wrote in the early 60s AD.
Nero was no exemplary public servant. As emperor, he murdered his own mother, Agrippina the Younger, his first wife, Octavia, and allegedly his second wife, Poppaea Sabina. We may have political problems, but they pale in comparison to the problems the early church faced.
And yet, in spite of the absolute political chaos surrounding the apostles, not a single one speaks politically in any letter. Instead, the call is for respect—not for the man, of course, but for the office.
Respect for God
How could Peter possibly call his readers to respect a man as bad as Nero? The answer is quite simple…respect has nothing to do with Nero. Instead, Peter understands that the one who truly puts men on the throne (or in the White House) is God Himself.
Respect for Nero, President Trump, or Vice President Biden is not founded primarily on who they are but on who God is. If God is sovereign (and He is), we need not fear the outcome of the election, or condemn the victor.
If you can’t say anything nice…
What does respect look like? To make a long story short, it starts in the heart, as we respect God. But it moves very quickly to the mouth where we speak about others. However, in our day, it extends to the fingers where we type on social media.
Respect for God calls us to respect the office, and that calls us to speak and type with respect for those who are over us. A respectful tone reminds a world full of grumbling and complaining that we serve a higher master than the one in the Oval Office.
