Politics and Religion

 

Politics and Religion, Responsibility and Discernment


By Pastor Dan Kennedy

© October 17, 2010

www.pastorkennedy.com

(On the website above, click the link to “recent message notes” to view this message online.)


We are coming up to mid-term elections.  One of the topics submitted by the congregation was this:  “How much can/should Believers support political candidates?”  It is because of this question that we are discussing the subject of politics today.   In this message we see a Biblical foundation as to why we have a form of government and how we should respond to it.


A Scriptural, Historical Understanding of Human and Spiritual Government


Government has become a dirty word to many people, but God created the concept of government for our benefit.  Without the organization and stability of government there would eventually be anarchy and chaos…each person would do what is right in his or her own eyes.


Mankind

From the beginning God created mankind to be fruitful and multiply, just as the earth around them was bountifully fruitful and multiplying.  Mankind was to graciously subdue and have dominion over all living things, and to tend and care for the Garden of Eden (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), so that the beauty and vitality of God’s creation could be sustained and enhanced on the earth – mankind’s dominance and care was a form of government.


Family

The Family unit is a form of government.


From the fall of man, the husband was given the responsibility by God to honorably lead and care for his wife and family (Gen. 3:16).

Wives are to respect and support the leadership of their husbands (Gen. 3:16).

Children are to honor their parents – and they are promised longer life if they do so (Ex. 20:12).

Each family develops its own rules and discipline to have consistent internal stability… these become the family’s “laws”. 


Church

The Church has a form of government, but its government is different from the dictatorial or popularity-styled leadership often found in the world’s governments.


Biblical leadership is based on spiritual maturity, discerning love, shepherding care and willing sacrifice.


Matthew 20

25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 


1 Peter 5

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”


God Establishes the Authority of Governments for our Good


Christ Created Authority

Look at the following concepts of authority defined in Colossians 1:16.


Colossians 1

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.


Breadth of Authority Created by Christ


Extent of Authority:  In Heaven and on Earth

Dimensions of Authority:  Visible and Invisible


Forms of Authority:

•  Thrones – Places of Government; “Seats” of Government, “Capitols”

Dominions – Peoples who are governed; different sized Districts or Areas Governed, from small to large.

Rulers – Personalities who Govern; Monarchs, Dictators, or Politicians

Authorities – Positions within that Government; Levels of Authority – from “Privates” to “Generals”, from the limited authority of street crossing attendants at school, to seasoned policemen, from the least local government official, to the President of the country.


Governments are a direct result of the Authority that was created by Christ.

All things were created through him and for him.”  All positions and persons of authority in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, were created by Christ and for Christ and each one will be accountable to Him for the authority given to them.


Most Governments of the world, human and divine, seem to fall within four broad types of categories:

 

Monarchy – a King, a Queen, an Emperor, Caesar, Czar, Kaiser, Shah or Sultan, ruling over a group of people through a succession of family heritage.


Dictatorship – a single person ruling over others without restraint, check, or balance, having obtained the position by means other than inheritance.


Democracy – a people who elect officials to lead and make decisions for their best interests.


Theocracy – a people governed by God through His chosen agents, or by God Himself.


Responsibilities of Government

A responsibility for just and orderly leadership, foresight and benefit of those being led, and restraint of that which causes endangerment to its people, with authority and responsibility of punishment for wrong-doers.


  1.    Responsibility and Accountability for Leadership Decisions.

  2.    Care for the best interests of those whom it is serving.

  3.    Protection of those whom it serves.


The power for governments to create sustainable laws is a direct result of God-given authority.


Laws

One cannot watch a football game, soccer, baseball game, or any game without acknowledging that following the rules of the game is essential to allow fair play and keep the teams and fans from damaging each other.  Instant replay has considerably increased the validity of fair play!  Everyone can see the instant review and a panel of “non-biased” referees are supposed to know the rules and apply them as they analyze the various perspectives given in the video.  All this fuss is based on “rules of the game”, to keep it fair.  The laws of the land are somewhat similar.


God gave us His basic Laws of life in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17).  The laws created by governments are often related to God’s Laws.


Justice

It is thought that the establishment of laws is the means whereby government provides justice for its people, but that is obviously not always the case!  Laws may provide a framework for justice, but those who enforce the laws are the key to implement of justice. 


Justice is a quality that evidences God’s Character. 


Micah 6

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?


Types of Laws for Justice, Protection and Well-being


Laws are written that seek to protect from Endangerment


o Laws for Public Safety

o Property Laws, Ownership Laws, and Building Codes

o Laws for Personal Well-being


If we did not have such laws, we would have no assurance that what we purchased would be ours, or that security (on the highway, or in buildings, for instance) would be as reasonable as possible.


Laws are written that encourage us to have good Ethics.


There are also Moral and Religious Laws

o   God’s Laws – as established in the Ten Commandments

o   Man’s Regulations (sometimes man wants to make his laws to become binding laws like Gods)

o   Legal protections for minors and those with special needs, etc.

 

It is interesting that there are no laws to prohibit the exercise of the Fruit of the Spirit!


Galatians 5

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.


Honorable Government should care for, enhance and protect those whom it serves through honesty, integrity, care, and justice.


We all realize that leaders can become corrupt and laws can be manipulated.  In the use of authority God is concerned about honorable government and He is fully concerned about justice.  God will judge misuse of power.


God Expects His Children to Respond Honorably to Human Government – as those in Authority over us.


A.  Christians are to evidence an honorable submissive attitude toward those over them

B.  Christians are to support those who work for the government honorably through proper respect and responsible paying of our taxes.


God is the Creator of all authority and He desires us to submit honorably to the leadership and laws that govern our land, because they were to have been made for our benefit. 


Romans 13:1-7

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.


C.  Christians are to pray for those in Government


Pray, intercede and give thanksgiving for those in authority within our government.


1 Timothy 2:1-7

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all….


D.  There may be times that we as Citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom do not agree with the decisions of the governments of the world:  When the laws of the land oppose the Laws of God.


Acts 5

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”


We can identify three other points that the scripture gives regarding Jesus’ Kingdom in conjunction with the world’s kingdom. 

 

Jesus taught that His Kingdom was not of this world

 

1.  Political Action does not define the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ, and may or may not be an arena into which God calls you to serve.


John 18:36

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”


The Church’s primary goal is to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, not fight against a policy or personality in government. 

Jesus’ purpose was not to fight the pagan government of Rome. 


We are blessed to have a voice through our voting, initiatives, petitions and policy directives, and may we wisely stand up for righteousness as God has called and gifted us, being salt and light in this dark and deceitfully carnal world (Matt. 5:13-16).


2.  Earthly Governments are not in power solely by their own efforts; their authority is given to them from God.


John 19:11

11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.”

 

See also John 3:27; Genesis 45:7,8; Exodus 9:14-16; 1Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 39:9; 62:11; Jeremiah 27:5-8; Lamentations 3:37; Daniel 4:17,25,32,35; 5:21

 

3.  Governments have responsibilities and rights, under God, that must be honored.


Luke 20

20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”


Conclusion

 

Those who are “born of God” become Citizens in God’s Kingdom.  We should be some of the wisest and responsible citizens and participants to encourage the governments under which we are living.  May the Lord give us wisdom to know how to serve our King faithfully and be an honorable citizen while we are in this world!


Personal Questionnaire


If God made Governments for our Good and He expects us to respond honorably to it and to pray fervently for those in authority over us, then what should be our responsibility regarding our own political involvement?


How might that affect me?  This questionnaire might stimulate me to think about my personal gifts and involvement.


  1. Bullet  What desire has God given you in your service for Him? 


_______________________________________________________________

Does it include political involvement?  ___yes  ___no


  1. Bullet  What gifts has God given you? 


_______________________________________________________________

Are you gifted to be involved in politics?  ___yes  ___no


  1. Bullet  What political opportunity has God given you?


_______________________________________________________________

Are there open doors for involvement in government? 

___yes  ___no


  1. Bullet  What cautions has God given you in use of your gifts?


______________________________________________________________

Do these cautions include your political involvement? 

___yes  ___no


  1. Bullet  What freedom to participate has God given you? 


______________________________________________________________

Are you free to serve the Lord in the political arena? 

___yes  ___no


  1. Bullet  Is there a particular candidate or cause that you feel the Lord is encouraging you to support?  ___yes  ___no