Christians and Government

How many of you watched President Obama’s inauguration this week? I watched it with an incredible sense of history. What an amazing time to be alive. I honestly did not think I would see the day when a black man would be elected as president of the United States.

This does not mean that I agree with Obama. In fact, I have strong reservations about his track record, policies and beliefs on certain issues that are important to me.

Since election night and the days leading up to the election when it became apparent that Obama would be president and we would have a large Democratic majority in Congress, I’ve been generally ashamed by the reaction of the Church and Christian people all over our nation. I’ve heard people say things like:

“I hope this isn’t the end of our Constitution.”
“I wonder how long our republic is going to last.”
“This is the end of our nation as we know it.”
“I am grieving for our country.”
“I am in deep prayer for the state of our nation.”

Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t grieve for our nation or be in prayer for the state of our nation. What I am saying is that if the election of Obama is what is causing a Believer to start grieving and praying for our nation, then that Christian has a deep misunderstanding of politics, our government, history, law, and most importantly, a Christian’s proper relationship with these things. That is what I want to speak on today. What is a Christian’s proper relationship with government?

The first step in evaluating a Christian’s relationship with government is to discover what Jesus had to say about the subject. The first place many people start is the famous “Render to Caesar” story that is recorded in all of the synoptic gospels. Lets read Matthew 22:15-22.

So lets get the essentials of this story in place. The Pharisees are plotting together on how to lessen Jesus’ growing influence and popularity, so they decide to lay a trap for him. They get together with some Herodians and devise a clever question to ask Jesus. The difference between Herodians and the Pharisees is key to this story:

Herodians were pro-Roman rule and they used the Roman system to gather to themselves personal power and benefits.

Pharisees were ambivalent to Roman rule, but they would generally tolerate it so long as Jewish customs and practices were left alone.

While the two had different views on Roman rule, they were brought together by their fear and hatred of Jesus, the King of the Jews. The devised a clever question. “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” They asked this question in specifically in the light of Leviticus 25:23 which says, “The land [of Israel] shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine.” This makes the question very complicated because Hebrew law is in play. Since Caesar is trying to take the land from God, is it not disobedience to pay the tax?

Jesus sees through this trickery at once and as was his custom, crafts a clever and strategic response. He asks the Pharisees to produce a coin. He then asks them whose inscription is on the coin? They respond, “Caesars.” Ah, but this is where Jesus had them. The actual inscription on all Roman coins during Caesar Agustus’s reign read as such, “Tiberius Caesar, Augustus, son of the deified Augusts, chief priest.” These Pharisees who were supposed to be upholders of the law had brought an image into the heart of Jewish life, the temple, that violated the second commandment. They had graven images, which in turn showed that in their hearts they violated the first commandment as well. In other words, they, not Christ, are the true hypocrites. They are the ones who have brought the Roman’s pagan beliefs into the temple and who have bought into their beliefs. He then tells them they cannot serve two masters. Render to God what is God’s. Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. You have made your decision and made a convenient compromise, but what about your obligation to God?

Now that we have a clear understanding of this exchange, we find that it provides us with little understanding of our relationship with government other than that we serve God first. He is above all government. Then we render to the state what is the state’s.

What other guidelines do we have from Christ? Lets look at the temptations of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. The third temptation of Christ is all the kingdoms of the world. In light of Satan offering Christ the kingdoms of the world, lets read John 12:31. Satan is the prince or ruler of this world. Implicit in Satan’s offer of the kingdoms of this world is the fact that the kingdoms of this world belong to Satan. This means that the kingdoms of this world are at enmity with God.

This is also implicit in the teachings of Christ. Jesus consistently teaches that His Kingdom is not of this world. Lets read John 18:36. Furthermore, the Sermon on the Mount teaches us that the rules of Christ’s Kingdom are the opposite of the rules of earthly kingdom. Further, Matthew 6:33 teaches us that we are not to use physical force in an attempt to bring His Kingdom into being but to seek first his righteousness. The kingdoms of this earth are established with power and violence, while God’s Kingdome is created by humility (Matthew 18:4), services (Matthew 20:26), and love (John 13:35). While we must live in the states of this earth, we are called to remember that we are not citizens of this earth. Read Philippians 3:20.

In summary, by looking at the life of Christ we find that the state has strong ties to the rule of Satan and is antithetical to the Kingdom of God, which rejects the use of force and power for personal gain.

Lets turn to the teachings of Paul and look at Romans 13:1-7. However, lets substitute Nero and Herod, the kings of the time, for governing authorities.

So, how do we interpret this passage knowing that Nero was a mass murderer who actively slaughtered Christians? Surely this can’t simply mean, “Do what government says.” I don’t believe it does. In fact, the Old and New Testament describe heroes disobeying government on multiple occasions.

Moses being hidden from the Egyptians
Rahab lying to the King of Jericho
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
The Magi from the east
Peter and John deciding to obey God rather than man in Acts 5.

Obviously Paul can’t be admonishing Christians to always be obedient to the state. So what is he saying? Lets remember a few things about Paul. One, he is very pragmatic. Two, he knows exactly what his purpose in life and the purpose in life of all other Christians is to be, the Great Commission. Understanding these two things leads me to interpret Romans 13:1-7 in this way.
God is in control. His plan is in place and governments do not operate outside of His authority. You should do nothing in regards to government that would hinder your work in fulfilling the purpose you were called to fulfill. Whenever you possibly can, obey the government. Do not entangle yourself with it when you don’t have to, because it will hinder the Gospel. Here are some practical ways to do this.

In essence, he’s saying, God’s in control. Go about your business of preaching the Gospel as Christ commanded. Obey government in any way possible to avoid getting entangled with something that would hinder your purpose. This does not mean there isn’t a time to become involved or stand against government. Paul encourages us to overcome evil with good in Romans 12:21 and to be free if at all possible in 1 Corinthians 7:20-23.

In closing, I would say that our relationship in Government should be defined by our purpose on earth. Our purpose here is to complete the Great Commission. Christians today have this backwards. They relate to government for the sake of consolidating power and providing benefits for themselves and people who believe the same things they believe. The Great Commission has gone out the window. They have bought into the lie that we as Christians are called to change our nation from the top down with power, vitriol, and force. The truth is this: if our government is striving against God, it is because Christians have failed in their job of fulfilling the Great Commission. Don’t grieve now. Don’t predict doom and gloom because of a president being elected, and don’t be overjoyed because somebody who claims to believe the same things as you has been placed in power. This is sin. Instead, focus on your work. Preach the gospel, help the needy, and complete the great commission. Not only is this how you bring the Kingdom of God, it is how you influence an earthly kingdom to be more like God’s Kingdom. The government springs from its people.

This week, I want you to make a commitment to witness. Quit hating the lost. Quit striving for power and focusing on Satan’s earthly kingdom. At least once this week, do work to bring God’s kingdom to this earth.