We are used to letters in the Bible. Most of the New Testament is written in the genre of letters. Everyone from an older generation had to practise how to write a letter – I don’t know whether the art of letter-writing is still taught. We can easily recognize the letters of the Bible by the preamble, in other words a brief statement about who writes, with how much joy the writing has been undertaken and to whom the letter is addressed. Then follows the subject being discussed, the conclusion in which the church or community of believers is encouraged and then a closing, where certain persons are mentioned, followed by a greeting. 

It is certainly the case that emails today could still be seen as letters – after all it is called “mail”. Some email users would construct an email in letter form, but in modern instant communication an email soon becomes shorter, more to the point and often by the umpteenth one in the series on a certain subject, just a few lines that address the subject more than the person.

Paul was a master of communication in letter-writing in the New Testament and reached for the pen whenever he heard news from the churches he planted or visited. Often the news was not good, as had so often happened in church history. This is to be expected when people of different classes, races, cultures and expectations come together to serve God in the commanded unity of Christianity. For the Jews, this was a familiar concept. Many proselytes (people who converted to Judaism) from Greek and Roman societies had to adhere to strict Jewish rules.  One can imagine that the Christian way was a challenging adjustment for everyone.  

Most scholars agree that conversion to Judaism reached a historic high point in the century before Jesus’ life on earth and the beginning of Christianity. The expectation of something new and the search for truth and substance drew people to the true God.¹ The Jews baptized new converts to their faith. They were accustomed to baptism as practiced by John the Baptist, although a Jew never had to submit to this ritual. 

That is why his ministry made such headlines. He baptized Jews; Jews convicted of the rigidity and lifelessness of their worship, even though they had been educated in the truth. The development of the Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees, and Essenes as groups governing Jewish society in the period between the Old and New Testaments, when the prophetic voice in Israel was silent, sought to preserve and interpret the Scriptures, what they had and of which everyone was sure. Since returning from exile, the remnant of Jews was living in a province of some world empire. It kept the flame of longing for political independence and even world domination under the rule of their Messiah burning.

For them, just as for us, it is super-important to maintain and nourish the spiritual perspective on our world politics and circumstances. Just as for the Jews of old, our circumstances are chaotic and violent. For them, this has never changed.  Over the centuries they have been persecuted and threatened, oppressed and murdered. Refugees filled the world and then found their way back to their own country with intense persecution, again with chaotic and violent consequences.

Where does that leave us in this particular fragment of time we find ourselves in? We have talked about the “food” of the desert dwellers. We are the wilderness dwellers, and we “feed” on the glorious, majestic omnipotence and wisdom of God within our circumstances. It is precisely in the great, overwhelming evil, lust for power and deceit of world leadership when we feel so powerless, that God’s miracle-working power is so evident. How will we know that He is active to renew and redeem if we don’t need it so desperately?  

Wilderness conditions enable us to see, which in perfect circumstances would not be clear at all.

We are not alone. Aside from a Shepherd God who sets a table for us in the valley of the shadow of death, we have each other – our fellow believers, fellow desert dwellers, feasting at the bountiful table of the God who loves and saves us.

Paul puts it this way:

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.  (2 Corinthians 3:2,3)

God’s epic story written on our hearts to be “read” by others so that everyone around us benefits from every miracle and intervention — acts of love from our God and Father – what an honour!  With our testimony, we can encourage one another. It is one of the key elements of victorious living without any change to our circumstances. (Revelation 12:11)

 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

We were given to each other to share the joy of testimonies and the wonders of God in all circumstances. It is our strength and encouragement, to joyfully share with one another.

It is also how we function in unity, without arguing about doctrine but presenting and praising the benefits of God.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].  (Romans 15:2, AMPC)

These verses are even clearer in The Message:

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

Too much to ask? Should you also please the political leader with what builds him or her up? Surely it is clearly stated that it is about your fellow man and not just your fellow believer. 

The assignment is especially difficult when it comes to world leaders, public figures who blatantly lie and deceive and get away with it. That is why we should pray for them. From my own experience, it is not easy at all. It is not prayer with such a visual effect that lives change and the whole world is suddenly set right. Rather, it is a test of perseverance in prayer with a deep dependence on what is to be prayed for. It is a prayer that examines your own heart… and changes it.

Paul gives the command clearly.

First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men,

² For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way.

³ For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior,

⁴ Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth.  (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Meditating on the truth of this Scripture is food for your soul. It changes your perspective, especially the anger that flares up and disturbs or completely steals your inner peace. How can I get in alignment with God’s heart? It’s almost impossible to imagine that I should pray for certain people with an open mind and a sincere heart. This is only possible if I submit to the Word and tune in with God’s heart, setting my petty grievances aside.

Then I see the promise: … that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. [Another translation says: with dignity.]  

That sounds like heaven to me. Peaceful and quiet with dignity is what I would choose for my life – of course. Suddenly, the undeniable truth stares me in the face. Is that ALL I have to do to find calm in the political and economic wilderness I live in? It is beginning to sound more doable.

Mind you, this is not the prayer for a change of government, a political party preference or the removal of a bad leader. Rather, it is about focusing on God’s omnipotence and that He can work ALL things for our benefit, even without the changes we so desire. (Romans 8:28)

Let’s conclude with this Scripture from Romans that we will continue to discuss next time. This is a pertinent topic that requires a deeper dive. 

Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment.

² Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them].

³ For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation.

⁴ For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:1-4)

Just reading it, exposes my wrong thinking to my utter shame. If I could let you read my heart with an emoji, it would be a mixture of these two:  😳 and 😬.

1.Mission and Conversion: Proselytizing in the Religious History of the Roman Empire – Martin Goodman, Oxford Scholarship Online.