By Robin Sam
SO with Narendra Modi all set to rule the nation again for the next five years, what happens now? What will Christians do? Rather, what should Christians do?
The Bible is clear on the issue. Titus 3:1 & 2 say ‘Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.’
Romans 13: 1 & 2 say ‘Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.’
1 Peter 2:13 & 14 say: ‘Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.’ Three verses down the line in the same chapter, Peter adds four classic phrases that reads like a code of conduct for us Christians in a nation’s polity. And the code of conduct is this: ‘Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.’
Except when our faith is threatened or our rights compromised, we need not look beyond this code of conduct. It is from our rulebook. And this is for our safe living.
One only hopes the Prime Minister will realize the enormous responsibility the nation has placed on him and start working for the welfare of the nation dropping his biases, petty politics and minority bashing. We are not looking for a perfect PM, only an earnest one! One who is sincere, loyal to the people and who gives his best for the nation.
No government on earth has ever been perfect. No government yet to come till this side of eternity will be perfect either. Nor do they always follow God’s laws and plans. The Narendra Modi government will be no exception. It will make its own mistakes.
It has made innumerable Himalayan blunders like the hastily conceived and poorly implemented demonetization, GST, besides heaping atrocities on the minorities through their tacit approval to lynchings in the name of cow protection etc.
Modi has also become a laughing stock in the national and international media on many occasions with his comments ranging from the bizarre to the brainless on anything and everything under the sun – from taking gas from the gutter to cloud cover from radar for fighter aircraft. I am sure he will come up with more such gaffes and his government will keep making more blunders. Nevertheless, the nation has elected him and his government and we need to respect the mandate.
Therefore, inasmuch as the government does not contradict God’s Word as revealed to us in the Bible, we are to be peaceable with it (Romans 12:18).
So, am I suggesting that we lie low and not react when a church in Karnataka or Orissa or Bihar is burned down or when believers are paraded naked and beaten to death for not forsaking their faith in Jesus Christ? NO! Not at all! The law of the land is alive and kicking!
I thank God for institutions like the judiciary and the Election Commission, although the integrity of these institutions have come under scrutiny in the past five years. They give the common man hope that all’s not lost in this nation. We need to raise our voice and resort to ways and means that are guaranteed to us in the Constitution. Freedom of faith is just one of them. There are several others as well.
7 things Narendra Modi will do well to remember!
Finally, is there something God wants to tell the ruler of this nation? Yes, indeed. There are a few things I hope God would want Modi to know. You can find them all in the Bible. I give below a few verses:
1. God is supreme & sovereign
“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” (Proverbs 21:1)
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)
2. God loves you, too!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20).
3. With authority comes accountability
To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48).
“Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above…” (John 19:11).
4. If you seek God, you can find HIM
“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. (1 Chronicles 28:9).
5. Perhaps you have a divine mandate too (like King Cyrus had one)
Isaiah 45.
6. Treat God’s children well
“For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me.” (Zechariah 2:8 & 9).
7. Attempt to thwart God’s plans at your own peril
‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ (Acts 26:14).
There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way…(Proverbs 15:10).
It’s a tall order before Modi. I earnestly hope he lives up to it. He will be judged not by his oratory but by his actions. I hope they are good. To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48).
This article is a slightly edited piece of another article which appeared in The Christian Messenger in June 2014 soon after Mr. Modi became Prime Minister for the first time.
