The fact that God uses government to accomplish his purposes does not allow us an excuse for ignoring the assignment he gave his disciples. If government reform were the way to redeem the world, he would have told us. But he didn’t.
We are in the middle of a series on three myths Christians believe about God and government. The first myth is that “Because Jesus affirmed the faith of government and military agents, he set an example to us that God works through the government and that we should be involved in bringing about the kingdom of God through political reform.” But the truth is we cannot draw from Jesus affirming someone’s faith that he wants us to be involved in government. That would be reading our political position into the text.
The second myth is that Jesus did not live during a time when people could vote, so of course he didn’t talk about it. But that’s not true. The Roman republic was one of the earliest recorded governments that allowed free citizens to vote. If Jesus wanted to reform the nation by voting in “Christian government leaders,” would have told his disciples to vote.
But he doesn’t.
The third myth is this:
Yet, Romans 13 clearly calls government “God’s servant” for dealing with evildoers. We are to obey government authorities because God has clearly ordained the government and uses government leaders.
What does it matter that the government “God’s servant”? God is sovereign and in control of everything. Of course, he uses government.
Certainly, he set up authorities—including government authorities—for taking responsibility in bringing forth his design in the world. But that does not demand as disciples of Christ we get involved in government affairs.
King Cyrus was one the most wicked leaders of all-time! And he was called “God‘s servant” as well.
Are we saying that Donald Trump is a wicked leader because we call him “God‘s servant”? Of course not. People call him “God’s servant” to praise him.
In the same way, then, it would be inaccurate to assume that just because a president is God’s servant means he is anointed with the Spirit of God and functioning in consistency with his will and design. Cyrus, King of Persia, was also called God’s servant, yet clearly did not function according to God’s will and design.
But there is more to this myth.
Romans 13 is not talking about whether or not Christians should be involved in government. Romans 13 is talking about how Christians are to respond to evildoers.
At the end of Romans 12, Paul tells us to “never avenge ourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Then he goes on to tell us to feed our enemies food and water (Ro. 12:19-20).
When we come to Romans 13, Paul tells us that governing authorities are God’s servant for punishing evildoers. He is not trying to convince us to be involved in government—nothing in the text would indicate Paul is calling us to political action. Just the opposite. The text would indicate we are not to take political action because God has already designed governing authorities to deal with that.
Far from promoting Christians taking control of government, Romans 13 emphasizes the churches submissive posture in a wicked world.
As Dr. Preston Sprinkle says,
It’s fascinating (one might say disturbing) to see how each person’s political context or position shapes his or her understanding of Romans 13. Christians living in North Korea or Burma tend to read Romans 13 differently than Americans do. Moreover, Adolf Hitler, Idi Amin, and other more recent “Christian” dictators have celebrated the passage as their divine ticket to execute justice on whomever they deemed enemies of the state. Not more than a generation ago, Romans 13 was hailed as the charter for apartheid in South Africa. American Christian leaders did the same during the years of slavery and segregation. If the state mandates that blacks can’t drink from the same water fountain as whites, it very well has the divine right to do so, according to certain interpretations of Romans 13.
(Sprinkle, Fight (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2013), pp. 166-167)
What about people already on the political scene? Am I saying people involved in government are living in direct contradiction to God’s will?
Certainly not. God’s design obviously includes government structures (he set them up). In other words, he has created government structures as a way for watching over the world and so he rejoices when they watch over it in the way he has told them to. A person can be involved in government and glorifying God, indeed.
But I am saying there is no call within scripture for disciples of Christ to seek out government reform as if that is what it means to bring about God’s kingdom in this earth. At least no other call then that of praying for our leaders, and making disciples—which can most certainly include government agents.
If we say we are called to vote, who are we to vote for?
God invites us to participate in redeeming his world. But if that means he is wanting us to vote, how should we be voting?
If we can advance God’s kingdom through government reform, then we can also advance the enemy’s kingdom through government reform. How do I know who is going to advance the kingdom of light or who is going to advance the kingdom of darkness?
I’d have to spend an incredible amount of time getting to know the politicians personally. I would have to hear their hearts, hear their standing with God, and examine their fruit. That would take way too much time. It would need to be a full-time job.
Yet, I have friends and neighbors who need help today.
They don’t have the time.
Which politician will advance righteousness and truth?
When it comes to social issues, the Democrats hold to many that are more in-line with the ethics of Christ. But Democrats also push for abortion. We know they are corrupt and immoral. And I’m not just saying that facetiously. They are!
But so are Republicans.
If I vote for Republicans, they’ll go to war (where we have killed more of other people’s civilians then anyone has ever killed of ours). Many Republican leaders have adultery issues and value only personal gain.
And some suggest third-party leaders; but that totally misses the point. Playing the government game is no guarantee that the kingdom of God will reign in a nation.
Making disciples is.
Tomorrow, our church will be running a fundraiser for a single mom we baptized earlier this summer who is trying to get the proper documentation for her children. She fled a dangerous situation in Mexico, and our friends Benji and Maria Beiler have been helping her gain citizenship legally. It’s been a rollercoaster ride of anticipation with disappointment. Judges delay the process for no given reason. And part of the process includes forking out large amounts of attorney fees. So, as a church, we’re trying to help her raise money.
We had a taco fundraiser a couple of weeks ago and we’ll be doing another one tomorrow, as well as a car wash fundraiser on Sunday. She needs the money by early December. She can’t wait for an immigration reform bill to be passed. She needs help now.
This is but one example of how our community attempts to be the hands and feet of Christ in a very chaotic political climate.
In our efforts to care for people’s physical and legal needs, we have had the opportunity to share the gospel with them–and they are responding in faith.
More than just helping with their physical needs, we are able to introduce them to Christ who can heal their deepest, soul need.
Many who are most adamant about their political positions aren’t actually that involved with real-live people being touched by their political positions. It’s a distant phenomenon to them. But it doesn’t make whatever political position they’re campaigning for any less distressing for those touched by it.
Christ set an example for us to make disciples—not to reform the government. Making disciples can include government agents. We can influence our government through prayer and discipleship.
Making disciples can also include the people needing immigration papers to go through right now. Not next year. Not when our economy is more stable and we feel more ready to let people in. Thousands of people need help right now, and they need help from those of us within who better know the ropes and are familiar with the language and laws.
Perhaps it’s time the church stops playing the political game and starts getting dirty trying to raise funds or help organize documents for people who desperately need in, or whatever pressing need people are facing around you each day. We cannot redeem the world through politics. If it were possible, I’m confident Christ would have called us to do so.
But he doesn’t.
He invites us to lay down our lives, to make disciples by feeding, clothing, bandaging, and teaching.
His way is much harder, far less exciting in the moment.
But it’s the way that works.
This concludes our three-part series on 3 Myths Christians Believe about God and Government. If you have any questions you’d like to ask or thoughts you’d like to share, you may do so in the comments below.
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