The Established Path of Discipleship

I tiptoed in the house. I hurried to the bathroom and hugged the commode as I emptied the contents of my drunken stupor. The next thing I knew, my head was lifted toward the mirror, and I heard a familiar voice say, “Do you like what you see?” I did not. My dad’s voice was a wake-up call. Unfortunately, I did not wake up until a few years later when God intervened with his regenerating grace, and I was born again.

The recent assassination attempt on former President Trump made me think of that night. The attempt on his life should be a wake-up call for our country, and most especially Christians. The situation is urgent. Do we like what we see? No. Hatred, incivility, and all too often violence are commonplace. So, what should we do? Continue fighting one another as enemies? For Christians, we know there is a better way.

The better way is 1 Timothy 2:1-4:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The better way for Christians is prayer. Paul says to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions.” It is the word all in the sentence we struggle with. It is easy to pray for those with whom we agree. The purpose of the prayer is essential: “That we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Would anyone say we are leading peaceful and quiet lives? Are we godly and dignified in every way? I am speaking to Christians now. Let’s not forget our call to pray. Are we obeying this command to pray?

Of course, I am not saying that we should sit idly by and merely pray. We must demonstrate godly and dignified behavior in our civil discourse and in preaching the Gospel to a broken and fractured United States. To do anything less is a sin. Do you like what you see?