| Reading: Proverbs 29:1-9 |
Or governor…. Or mayor…. Or any kind of elected leader….
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (2).
“The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it” (4).
“Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath” (8).
Even though I’m not any kind of political leader, I am in other positions of authority.
Does my leadership bless and assure and secure and protect and direct and rejoice those “under” me?
![[Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father (Proverbs 29:3)]](/pantinghart/wp-content/whosolovethwisdom-b.jpg "Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father (Proverbs 29:3)")
from Proverbs 29:3
“President”, “Governor”, and “Mayor” usually refer to the leaders of coercive governments of the world, who intend to enforce their directives with physical force, and, if necessary, incarceration, and sometimes killing.
It seems to me that followers of Jesus can never put themselves in such a role. The opening question on the bookstore site, whether Christians can be in “government”, may assume that such governments are the only ones around. But, “the government shall be upon His shoulder”. Of the increase of that government there shall be no end. His followers should always be available for servant leadership within that government, but not for positions within the governments of the world. The assumptions (faith) and methods used by these differing governments are mutually exclusive. Our weapons are much more effective. Our foundation is the only one which stands.