A Believer’s Guide to Salting The Election Season Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. Romans 13:1-11 (NLT) Big Idea: Believers salt their politics best by choosing to assist their governing authorities instead of to resist them. with your government. to authorities. Romans 13:1 (NLT) Everyone must submit to governing authorities. 3 Reasons For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and ... 1 Peter 2:17 (NLT) You do the right thing so they honor you, to avoid punishment and to keep a clear conscience. You submit to governing authority up until it would cause you to sin against God’s authority. You submit with gentleness, true humility and an obligation to love. How should believers submit? Titus 3:1–3 (NLT) Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. 3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient… Proverbs 21:1 (NLT) Romans 13:8-11 (NLT) 8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. your taxes. v6 Romans 13:6-7 (NLT)6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. You give those who are in authority more than just your money, give them respect and honor. Vote your & convictions. You pray & select by person, party, policy or principle. the community needs. Trust in God’s sovereignty so you can partner without idolatry or cynicism because you believe that God is always at work accomplishing everything He desires. CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION (SMALL GROUP Q’s) If you take time to think about it, have you been more eager to assist the governing authorities recently or resist them? Why? What might some reasons be that God prohibits and condemns anarchy and rebellion, especially by believers who are expected to submit to their governing authorities? In light of God’s expectation that you partner with your governing authorities with honor, respect and love, what could the Spirit be showing you about how to live?