Theme: THE GOLDEN RULE
Text: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” – Proverbs 29:2.
Comment: Those who do to others what they do not want others to do to them are not fit to hold public offices. There are several instances of people who make loud promises of what they would do if put into office but who do worse than their predecessors once they have the opportunity. They would not ensure that schools, hospitals, public utilities function efficiently just because they are insulated from what the masses are suffering. But they call the name of Christ every day. (Matthew 15:7,8) Concerning these people whom the Bible says God “is near in their mouths and far from their reins” (or hearts). (Jeremiah 12:2) St. Peter says, “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” (2 Peter 2:17-19) Those who are in positions of authority should put themselves in the place of those under them and treat them as they would like to be treated so that people will glorify God on their behalf and they themselves would have a good name. – Romans 2:24, 25; Ecclesiastes 7:1.