How should a Christian view politics?

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.

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?

Can we have political views outside the considerations of our Christian faith?

The answer is no, we cannot.

The Bible gives us two truths regarding our stance towards politics and government.

The first truth is that the will of God permeates and supersedes every aspect of life.

What he has purposed, he will bring to pass, and no government can thwart his will.

In fact, it is 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.

A clear understanding of this truth will help us to see that politics is merely a method God

uses to accomplish his will.

Second, we must grasp the fact that our government cannot save us, only God can.

Jesus, nor any of the apostles, spend any energy schooling believers on how to reform the

pagan world via the government.

They never called for civil disobedience in protest of the brutal Roman Empire.

Instead, the apostles commanded the first century Christians, as well as us today, to

proclaim the gospel and live lives that give clear evidence to the gospel's

transforming power.

There is no doubt that our responsibility to government is to obey the laws and be good

citizens.

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.

Where we have a voice and can elect our leaders, we should exercise that right by voting for those

who best demonstrate Christian principles.

One of Satan's grandest deceptions is that we can rest our hope for cultural

morality in politicians and government officials.

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.

Nowhere in scripture do we have the directive to spend our energy, our time, or our

money in governmental affairs.

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.

Believers throughout the ages have lived and even flourished under antagonistic, repressive,

pagan governments.

First century believers understood that it was they, not their governments, who 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.

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.

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.

That answers the question, how should a Christian view politics?

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