Today is election day here in our wonderful America. Many Christians often have the question about the extent of their participation in the civil affairs of our country. Often, we get so frustrated with the government, that it seems like it would be easier to just ignore it completely and focus wholly on our Christian responsibilities. We do know from Philippians chapter three, that, as believers, our citizenship is in heaven and not of this world. It tells us that those who are not Christians are the ones focused on earthly things, but that our focus should be on Christ and His reign. Does this mean that Christians are not to be involved in civil affairs? Let's take a look at a couple of verses that will give us some insight.
One of the more discussed passages on this topic comes from Matthew chapter 22. Jesus is asked whether it is lawful or right to pay taxes to the government, which in that day was Caesar. It would be easy to pick sides here and almost cheer for Christ to do what we think would be best for us. However, He really surprises his questioners with His response. You can almost imagine the smile on His face as he asks them to show the coin that will pay the taxes. He asks them whose picture is on it. Of course, there is a picture of Caesar there. He then says that they should give to Caesar what is his, and give to God what is His. So, as much as we may dislike it, Jesus says to pay our taxes. He knows that now, we are here on this world and we should be involved in the political system of our day. We are to live as good citizens in order that the gospel would be shown in a positive light.
Another passage that speaks strongly comes from Romans 13: 1-7 (ESV):
1Let 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. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For 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,4for 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. 5Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6For 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.
It is clear from the passage that every person is to be subject to the government that is in place. Every authority that is put in place has been instituted by God. We may not always understand why things are the way they are, or why a certain government is in place. But we cannot argue with the fact that the government has been instituted by God and that we are subject to it. Paul states very clearly that we are not to resist the government, because we are then resisting what God has put into place. He then makes the argument that if you live as good citizens and obey laws, then you will have no reason to fear the government. Are there reasons that a Christian should go against the government? Perhaps, but even the martyrs of the past respected worldly institutions enough to go quietly and take their death with joy. Our actions are a testimony to our relationship with God and His love for the whole world.
So, this government, or whatever government gets put in place from our election today is one that is instituted by God and one that we are to respect, pay taxes to, give honor to, and follow the laws that they institute. But as of today, it is your civic right, and responsibility, to get out and vote, in order to put in leaders that will lead our country in a way that will honor God and see that He is glorified. But no matter what happens, He will be.
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