Americans are granted one of the greatest privileges in history: we choose our leaders.  No King succeeds his parent to the throne; no dictator seizes power.  I believe every American should be informed by credible sources (Note: a Facebook post is not a credible source) and should vote.  People across the world marvel at Americans who stay home during an election and then complain about who gets elected.

Jesus followers, however, have additional duties.  There are clear instructions in the New Testament about our interactions with government.  We are told in Romans 13 that we are to submit to governing authorities.  No follower of Jesus can be an anarchist.  Someone must be in charge and God allows a government to form and establish law.  Are some laws unjust?  Yes.  Martin Luther King, Jr., showed us how to respond to unjust laws: Be willing to suffer to show that a law is unjust. 

Also, in Romans 13, Paul tells Jesus followers to pay their taxes.  When was the last time you heard a sermon on that topic?  The US Tax Code is a confusing document, full of twists and turns.  Do I think Jesus followers should take every deduction possible?  Yes.  But at the end of the day, you need to pay your taxes.  I heard once of a minister who failed to pay taxes for a decade or more.  His church admonished him, and then graciously supplied him with funds to pay his taxes.  Then, a few years later, it was revealed he failed to pay them again!  That is just wrong.  Like everyone else, I wish my taxes were lower.  But I am glad they pay for law enforcement, fire protection, schools, roads, a national defense, and disaster relief.  The duty of a Jesus follower is to pay our taxes.

In another letter, Paul tells his apprentice Timothy to pray, especially for Kings and for those in authority (1 Timothy 2).  It is a simple, but powerful duty of every Jesus follower to pray for government leaders.  Pray for the President, whether you voted for him or not.  Pray for the governor.  You have no idea the complexities these people face.  Pray for the Mayor, the legislators, the members of city and county council.  What do you pray for?  Pray they would be wise.  Pray they will see dangers and prepare.  Pray for God to give them strength.  Look at the “before” and “after” pictures of Clinton, Bush, and Obama.  It is a tough job to lead a country, a state, or a city.  Pray for their marriages and their kids.  You do not have to like someone or even vote for them to pray for them.

A final warning given to Jesus followers is found in Revelation 13.  Contrary to popular opinion, Revelation is not just about the end of time; it is about Jesus.  When you read chapter 13, you do not have to read Greek to understand it is a warning against worshipping the state.  This was the world of the New Testament.  The Caesars thought themselves not just to be Kings, but gods.  They demanded worship.

When a government demands worship, it asks for first place in your heart.  Every decision you make is to be approved by what you worship.  Governments that do this are called totalitarian regimes (think North Korea). 

This is where Jesus followers are called to disobey.  If a government demands worship, we dare not set it up as the ultimate authority in our lives.  The first commandment given to the people of God is: “You shall have no other gods before me.”  Jesus put it this way, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well.” 

Years ago, Vacation Bible Schools would open with a pledge to the American Flag, a pledge to the Christian Flag, and a pledge to the Bible.  As we were planning VBS one year, something made me uncomfortable about that order.  I prayed through that discomfort and began to realize we were subtly teaching our children that country comes before God.  I went to the woman in charge of VBS and told her I wanted to change the order; we would pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag first, the American Flag second.  She responded, “That’s not the way it’s written in the book.”  I tried to reason with her, and she finally gave in (rolling her eyes, and muttering something about crazy young preachers).  When the last night of VBS came, all the parents were invited to join us.  We followed our new pattern: Pledge to the Christian Flag first, the American Flag second. 

After the program, as everyone adjourned to the Fellowship hall for sugar cookies and Kool-Aid, a WW II vet stopped me and protested the order of the pledges.  I listened respectfully.  After all, this man had risked his life in combat for his country.  Then, gently as I could, I asked what the first commandment was.  He paused, and correctly answered, “You shall have no other gods before me.”  I said, “That’s why we pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag first.”  To his credit, he thought, and then said, “Preacher, you’re right.  I love my country, but I love my Jesus more.”

This is the final duty of every Jesus follower: Love your Savior first, love your country second.