Mentoring Men for the Master

How should a Christian look at Government?

THE 11TH – INFORMED AND INVOLVED IN OUR CIVIC DUTIES

The 11th “I” raises the question:  How should a Christian look at Government?  And there are “WRONG WAYS” AND “RIGHT WAYS.”

11/29/14 Dr. Bennett’s Message on The Eleventh I from Thad Faulk on Vimeo.

I. THE WRONG VIEW OF GOVERNMENT:

  1. Government Should Compel Religion, that is require its citizens to support and follow one particular religion. This is inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus and the nature of true saving faith.
  2. Government Should Exclude Religion. According to this view, religion should never be mentioned in governmental functions or play a role in decision-making.  Ex:  The ACLU.  However, there are religious reasons behind many of our laws, but these laws do not establish a religion.  “All major religions have teachings against stealing, but laws against stealing do not “establish a religion.”  All religions have laws against murder, but laws against murder do not “establish a religion.”  The campaign to abolish slavery in the United States and England was led by many Christians, based on their religious convictions, but laws abolishing slavery do not “establish a religion.”  The campaign to end racial discrimination and segregation was led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist pastor, who preached against racial injustice from the Bible.  But laws against discrimination and segregation do not “establish a religion.”[1]
  3. All Government is Evil and Demonic. That is, the realm of government is the realm of Satan and his forces, reflected in the often heard statement, “I’m having nothing to do with politics, it is so dirty.”  However, this view fails to take into account that government was instituted by God Himself for the good of human kind, and the magistrates (officers) of government are His ministers (Romans 13:1-4).
  4. Do Evangelism, Not Politics. That is, “we should just preach the gospel, for that is our only hope of changing society.”  However, the gospel is more than trusting Jesus and being saved.  No, the gospel is good news about all of life.  So Jesus commands us in the Great Commission for us to teach disciples everything He taught, which would include marriage, the home, finances, sanctity of life, the wiles of Satan, temptations to sin, prayer, worship, taxes, support of government, etc.  (Matthew 28:20)
  5. Do Politics, Not Evangelism. That is, the church should not try to change the laws and the culture and should not emphasize evangelism. “But this was the primary emphasis of the Social Gospel movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with its campaigns to get the church to work aggressively to overcome poverty, slums, crime, racial discrimination, and other social evils.  These were good causes in themselves, but this movement placed little emphasis on the need for individuals to place personal trust in Christ as Savior or the need to proclaim the entire Bible as the Word of God and worthy of our belief.  The Social Gospel movement gained followers  primarily among liberal Protestants rather than among more conservative, evangelical Protestant groups.”[2]

II. THE RIGHT VIEW OF GOVERNMENT:

  1. Christians should have a significant influence on government, seeking to influence civil government according to God’s moral standards and God’s purpose for government, according to the Bible when rightly interpreted. What then are some definite actions Christians should take to influence government:

a. Every Christian should register to vote.

b. Every Christian should consider voting a Christian act.

c. Every Christian should inform himself about the views of the candidates running for office and vote for those more in accord with biblical principles.

d. Every Christian should faithfully pay his taxes.

e. Every Christian should obey 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,  for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

f. Every Christian should unite in obeying 2 Chron. 7:14 in times of national crisis. “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

g. Christians should dare to believe the Bible, not even the clever minds of famous writers, such as Dr. John MacArthur and editorialists Cal Thomas.

h. If the Holy Spirit leads, A Christian should run for public office.

i. A Christian should be gripped with the trite but true affirmation, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”  Roe v Wade.

j. Every Christian must give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ of everything he did in this life. (2 Cor. 5-10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15).

 

[1] Wayne Gruden, Politics According to the Bible, Zondervan: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2010, p. 31.

[2] Gruden, Ibid. p. 53.