Ye for Pres

Even though many may not have a high view of our governing authorities, these days, that is certainly not the teaching of Scripture - human government has two components: the human part, which means that they are imperfect, and the government part, which is established by God's hand.
Romans 13 states:
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

So, lawlessness contradicts the law of God.  And, to allow lawlessness, as we are seeing in major American cities, is a dereliction of duty, a spiritual duty.  We are called by Scripture to be good citizens - citizens of the heavenly Kingdom, certainly, but also reflecting the character of Christ and not contributing to disorder.  Our governmental authorities are placed there by the Lord, and we are called to pray for them; certainly, we can appeal when there is injustice, but we should also be devoted as the Church to work with them as they carry out their mission.

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It's easy to get discouraged with political leaders these days, but we can also recognize that they have
been placed in their positions by God Himself, to be used for His purposes, according to Daniel 2:
21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.

The reports of the demise of Kanye West's Presidential campaign earlier this week may have been premature, with Billboard relaying a report yesterday from the Associated Press that the music superstar would be appearing on the ballot in Oklahoma.  The Billboard  article said:

The West campaign filed a “Statement of Organization” on Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission, stating that his team would serve as principal campaign committee for a West candidacy, TMZ reports.

Of course, Kanye has missed the deadline to get on the ballot already in a number of states, after tweeting out the announcement on July 4: "We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION..."  As Billboard points out:

Despite Kanye’s optimism, his political dream didn’t appear to have much foundation. On July 14, NYMag's Intelligencer reported that his campaign had wound down after he tried, and failed, to get on Florida's ballot.

But, no matter what you think about the legitimacy of a Kanye candidacy, he did raise some important, and Biblical, issues.

Religion News relates:

Asked about his presidential run, West told Forbes that “God just gave me the clarity and said it’s time.”

Such a claim is not unusual among presidential candidates. In 2012, Republican presidential hopefuls Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain and Rick Perry all reportedly suggested God called on them to seek the highest office in the land.

The article says that Kanye believes that God "appoints" the President, and told Forbes: “Let’s see if the appointing is at 2020 or if it’s 2024 — because God appoints the president,” adding, “If I win in 2020 then it was God’s appointment. If I win in 2024 then that was God’s appointment.”

But, isn't Kanye a Trump supporter?  The Religion News article adds:

West has been a public supporter of Trump but told Forbes he no longer backs the president, saying, “It looks like one big mess to me.” West also called on both Trump and his Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, to “bow out,” saying, “It’s God’s country, we are doing everything in service to God, nobody but God no more. I am in service of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, and I put everything I get on the line to serve God.”

However, West did praise Trump’s faith affiliations when explaining why he supported the president in the first place: “Trump is the closest president we’ve had in years to allowing God to still be part of the conversation.”

West also reflected a view regarding prayer in schools that is popular among conservative Christians, insisting God be brought back into classrooms.

He is anti-vaccine, anti-death penalty, and staunchly pro-life.  In fact, he had strong words for Planned Parenthood:..a Fox News story said, regarding the Forbes interview:

West seemed to hold nothing back in the interview and, at one point, singled out Planned Parenthood, which he said has "been placed inside cities by White supremacists to do the Devil’s work.” The comment was a clear reference to Planned Parenthood's founder Margaret Sanger, whose support for eugenics and racially charged statements in a 1939 letter remain a source of pain for many in the Black community.

The story points out that in a "1939 letter, Sanger outlined her plan to encourage Black religious leaders to help her counter suspicions as she expanded her clinics into the South.," writing, "We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population, and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members..." She was in favor of getting Black preachers to promote her clinics and hiring Black doctors to work there.

So, Kanye is certainly, as he has been doing for the last several years, calling attention to a variety of issues and his documented faith in Christ is apparently a prime motivator.  He is eccentric and unpredictable and cannot be considered a serious candidate for the highest office in the land.

But, he does make some points that we can dwell on a bit longer.  For one thing, he does make the point that God is the one who ultimately determines our leaders.  The book of Daniel establishes that - that premise was part of an interesting discussion recently with former White House aide, journalist, and pastor Wallace Henley.  So, we have to acknowledge God's role in the appointment of leaders.

And, we can also consider whether or not the Lord may be calling someone to seek public office.  We need more truth-speakers in office; in a time when we might struggle to find politicians we can trust, perhaps we just need some everyday people who have Godly wisdom in order to be used of Him to help solve the enormous dilemmas our communities face.  I'd say it's too late for 2020, but what about your next local election?  Or start now to get involved in community issues.  I am reminded of that charge and challenge given by Franklin Graham at the Montgomery Decision America rally in 2016.

Finally, keep in mind Kanye is a relatively new born-again Christian.  He is an unusual personality, yet, he seems to want to do the right thing.  And, I appreciate his willingness to call out the nation's largest abortion provider and put its activity in spiritual terms. Abortion is murder, which violates the teachings of Scripture, and it is clear that minority communities are being targeted.  We have to make sure that we understand the dynamics of the right to life and the fight for life and not try to gloss it over or minimize it by including abortion with a host of other issues and slapping a "life" label on them all. Be discerning - that rationalization is being used by certain organizations, including Christian ones, for political purposes.  Abortion is a scourge on our land, and we should be devoted to praying and acting as God leads.