“For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king” (1 Peter 2:13-17, New Living Translation).

Honor the king. Another translation puts it as “Honor the emperor.”

As believers in Jesus, we’re called to a higher standard. That includes honoring those in authority, including the President. Note that it does not say to honor only those in charge whose policies and beliefs match yours. Remember that Peter was writing to believers living under the rule of Nero, who was certifiably insane and whose atrocities are well-documented (and way worse than any President we’ve ever had).

For me, that means I need to remember that even politicians are made in the image of God and are included in the people that Jesus died for. Even the Obamas and Trumps of the world. To denigrate and demean someone made in the image of God is to insult their Creator.

It’s still every believer’s duty to speak out against injustice and wrong, but we’re also called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. We’re still called to honor our leaders, whether we agree with them or not.

Ultimately, we need to realize that what’s wrong with the world won’t change by replacing one ruling political party with another. You can’t solve spiritual problems by political means. You can seek to make a difference in a thousand daily small ways in your home and in your community.

My hope isn’t in a President or a political party or any kind of policies or platforms. My hope is in Jesus. May we be as willing to extend grace and mercy to others as He was to extend it to us.