Answer
If there is anything that will spark debate, if not an outright argument, it is a discussion involving politics—even among believers. As followers of Christ, what should be our attitude and our involvement with politics? It has been said that “religion and politics don’t mix.” But is that really true? Can we have political views outside the considerations of our Christian faith? The answer is, no, we cannot. Our faith should inform our political views. The Bible gives us two truths regarding our stance toward politics and government.
The first truth is that the will of God permeates and supersedes every aspect of life. It is God’s will that takes precedence over everything and everyone (Matthew 6:33). God’s plans and purposes are fixed, and His will is inviolable. What He has purposed, He will bring to pass, and no government can thwart His will (Daniel 4:34–35). In fact, it is God who “sets up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:21) because “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:17). An understanding of this truth will help us see that politics is merely a method God uses to accomplish His will. Even though evil men abuse their political power, meaning it for evil, God means it for good, working “all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Second, government is not the remedy for all our social ills. We are not saved through politics. Only God can save, and He provides the answer to society’s problems. We never read in the New Testament of Jesus or any of the apostles schooling believers on how to reform the pagan world of its idolatrous, immoral, and corrupt practices via the government. The apostles never called for believers to demonstrate civil disobedience to protest the Roman Empire’s unjust laws or brutal schemes. Instead, they preached the gospel and lived in a way that gave evidence of the gospel’s transforming power.
There is no doubt that government is necessary, and our responsibility is to obey the laws and be good citizens (Romans 13:1–2). God has established all authority, and He does so for our benefit, “to commend those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13–15). It is the government’s responsibility to rule—hopefully for our good—to collect taxes, and to keep the peace (see Romans 13:1–8). Good citizenship includes taking seriously our duty to be informed and vote for leaders who promote Christian principles. Where we have a voice, we should exercise the right to vote. Candidates or proposals at odds with the Bible’s teaching on life, family, marriage, or faith should never be supported (see Proverbs 14:34). Those who uphold biblical values should be helped.
Even as we advocate for godly values and vote for principled leaders, we recognize that our hope for morality in the culture does not depend on politicians. A nation’s hope for change is not to be found in any country’s ruling class. People need the Lord.
The government has its purpose, and so does the church. Our primary mission lies not in changing the nation through political reform, but in changing hearts through the Word of God. Our Christian mandate is to spread the gospel of Christ. Yes, we take a stand against the sins of our time, and we advocate for “political” policies that would help curb wickedness. Through it all, we pray that individual hearts are changed by Christ. Only as individuals are transformed through the new birth will the culture begin to reflect godliness.
Believers throughout the ages have lived and even flourished under antagonistic, repressive, pagan governments. This was especially true of the first-century believers who sustained their faith under merciless political regimes that created immense cultural stress. They understood that they were the light of the world and the salt of the earth. They adhered to Paul’s teaching to obey their governing authorities, even to honor, respect, and pray for them (Romans 13:1–8). And they trusted in the protection that only God supplies.
Political entities are not the savior of the world. The salvation for all mankind has been manifested in Jesus Christ. God knew that our world needed saving long before any national government was ever founded. He demonstrated to the world that redemption could not be accomplished through the power of man, economic strength, military might, or politics. Peace of mind, contentment, hope, and joy—and the salvation of mankind—are provided only through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Christians should be voters, and they should be bearers of the gospel.
