How should a Christian view politics?
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How should a Christian view politics? What does the Bible say about politics? Is politics something a Christian should be involved in?
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- How should a Christian view politics? We're going to answer that question. If there is anything that will spark a spontaneous debate, if not an outright argument, is a discussion involving politics, even among believers.
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- As followers of Christ, what should be our attitude and involvement with politics? It has been said that religion and politics don't mix, but is that really true?
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- Can we have political views outside the considerations of our Christian faith?
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- The answer is no, we cannot. The Bible gives us two truths regarding our stance towards politics and government.
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- The first truth is that the will of God permeates and supersedes every aspect of life.
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- What he has purposed, he will bring to pass, and no government can thwart his will. In fact, it is
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- God who sets up kings and deposes them. Because the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.
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- A clear understanding of this truth will help us to see that politics is merely a method
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- God uses to accomplish his will. Second, we must grasp the fact that our government cannot save us, only
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- God can. Jesus nor any of the apostles spend any energy schooling believers on how to reform the pagan world via the government.
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- They never called for civil disobedience in protest of the brutal Roman Empire. Instead, the apostles commanded the first century
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- Christians, as well as us today, to proclaim the gospel and live lives that give clear evidence to the gospel's transforming power.
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- There is no doubt that our responsibility to government is to obey the laws and be good citizens.
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- Paul tells us in Romans 13 that it is the government's responsibility to rule in authority over us, hopefully for our good, to collect taxes, and to keep the peace.
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- Where we have a voice and can elect our leaders, we should exercise that right by voting for those who best demonstrate
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- Christian principles. One of Satan's grandest deceptions is that we can rest our hope for cultural morality in politicians and government officials.
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- The church has made a mistake if it thinks that it is the job of politicians to defend, to advance, and to guard biblical truths and Christian values.
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- Nowhere in scripture do we have the directive to spend our energy, our time, or our money in governmental affairs.
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- Only as the hearts of individuals in a culture are changed by Christ, will the culture begin to reflect that change, not through government policy.
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- Believers throughout the ages have lived and even flourished under antagonistic, repressive, pagan governments.
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- First century believers understood that it was they, not their governments, who were the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
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- They adhered to Paul's teaching to obey their governing authorities, even to honor, respect, and pray for them.
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- The same holds true for us today. When we follow the teachings of the scriptures, we become the light of the world as God has intended for us to be.
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- Political entities are not the savior of the world. The salvation for all mankind has been manifested in Jesus Christ.
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- God knew that our world needed saving long before any national government was ever founded.
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- He demonstrated to the world that redemption could not be accomplished through the power of man, economic strength, military might, or politics.
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- Peace of mind, contentment, hope, and joy, and the salvation of mankind are provided only through Jesus' death and resurrection.
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- That answers the question, how should a Christian view politics? Research this question further on our website
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