God believes in government. It was His idea: “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” (Rom. 13:1). In addition, we are not only to obey, but to pay our taxes (vv. 6-7), and to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-4), especially that they be saved. Christians, of all people, should be model citizens.
But with politics filling the news these days, I can’t help but consider who would be the perfect candidate, someone who would not only govern best in the affairs of men, but whom God would consider ideal.
Background experience
It’s a major talking point these days in the U.S. primaries: who has the background that qualifies (or disqualifies) one from the highest office in the land? I would think the ideal candidate—if it’s not too much to ask—would have experience in governing something large, say, like the universe. Then governing the U.S. would be a snap.
The problem is, as Gov. Romney is discovering, if you have been very successful in big business, many people don’t think you can sympathize with the common man. So, what if our candidate not only could govern at the highest levels but had actually lived in poverty and regularly rubbed shoulders with the neediest among us? What if He had endorsements from former beggers, blind men and broken-hearted outcasts—people whose hopeless lives He had completely transformed?
Imagine, too, if this candidate had experience in engineering and infrastructure, having hung the world on nothing and flung the stars around it to “rule the night.”
The Man in mind has an unconventional health care plan, holding patents on the design of the human body, and, as the Great Physician, made arrangements so that “by His stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5).
His energy policy? Here is His own statement: “All power is given to Me in heaven and in earth” (Mt. 28:18). No shortages there. He deposited all natural resources in the planet, which are in fact His (Hag. 2:8).
Education? Would it seem hyperbole if I said this candidate actually knows everything? It isn’t. He is the consumate teacher’s Teacher. In fact, it was a renowned king who requested him to “Show me Your ways…Teach me Your paths” (Ps. 25:4).
What about defense? I’m happy to tell you that merely the use of His name “is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Prov. 18:10). And get this: to defeat the strongest enemy to ever engage us in war, He requires only one finger (Lk. 11:20)! Lesser foes—say, the accumulated firepower of all the armies of earth—take just a breath from His nostrils (2 Thess. 2:8).
The character question
Flip-flops? Hardly. He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). And I know it’s hard to believe when you’re thinking about politicians, but absolutely everything He promises will come true, even if it takes until heaven and earth have disappeared (Mt. 24:35; Mk. 13:31; Lk. 21:33, recorded three times so we can’t miss it).
Faithful to His marriage vows? I can’t help but think of the words of a man who at one time hated our candidate with a venom unmatched in history. But, due to an interrupted business trip, he came out shortly after to endorse the One he formerly hated. He wrote a long list of every imaginable influence that might, with any other person, interfere with once-loyal love. But not with our ideal candidate! Nothing would ever divert His love (Rom. 8:35-39).
Management style
Can you imagine a Commander-in-chief who would willingly lay down his life, not for his men, but for his enemies, to woo them over to the winning side? Can you imagine a Chief Executive who would wash the feet of ordinary citizens and invite them not only to share meals with Him, but their hearts and lives as well? It’s common for the First Lady to redecorate the White House to her own tastes, but can you imagine a Leader who would prepare a place for us in His own home?
Would such a ruler share with His undeserving subjects all His wealth? Welcome us into His family as brothers, heirs, co-rulers? Invite us to “appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4)? Forgive me if I can’t get too excited about the other candidates. Oh, did I mention that our Man has already won, and that His seat is uncontested?