What Is The Christian’s Role in Politics?
On November 4th, many of us will go to the polls and vote for the
candidates that we wish to represent us for the next two to four years. Groups
are spending millions of dollars and many man-hours to support their candidates
and causes. But what is the Christian’s role in this political process?
In the Bible, Jesus explains to His listeners that they have a
responsibility to give to God the things He requires but they also must give to
the civil leaders the things they required
(Matthew 22:19-21). This
order is very important because God is actually the one who has allowed the leaders to be in power (Proverbs
21:1). Although it may not always seem
obvious to us, He has the right to control our elected officials and they
are His servants (Romans 13:1, 2, 4-6).
Our responsibility is to be good citizens of the world and do what
is required of us such as obeying the laws, paying our taxes, voting,
participating in the political process, and being knowledgeable about the
issues. But the most important thing
that those who love the Lord must do is to pray for those in authority, our God-given
natural leaders, so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).
In spite of political differences, let us continually stand
together in prayer and pray that those in authority would receive God’s wisdom
and direction. We should intercede
against corruption, deceit, and all ungodly temptation. While it is easy to
complain about politicians, let’s make sure we are doing our part and pray
that they become aware of their roles as servants of God (Proverbs 29:2).
Will you join me in prayer during this election season?
Matthew
22:19-21
New International Version (NIV)
19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,
20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
New International Version (NIV)
19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,
20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21 “Caesar’s,”
they replied.
Then he
said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is
God’s.”
Proverbs
21:1
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Amplified Bible (AMP)
21 The king’s
heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it
whichever way He wills.
Romans
13:1, 2, 4-6
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Amplified Bible (AMP)
1 Let every person be loyally subject to the
governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by
His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment.
2 Therefore
he who resists and sets himself
up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order].
And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the
penalty due them].
4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him
and] be afraid, for he does not bear and
wear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant to execute His wrath
(punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore
one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath and escape punishment, but also as a matter of principle and for the sake of conscience.
6 For
this same reason you pay taxes, for [the civil authorities] are official
servants under God, devoting themselves to attending to this very service.
1 Timothy
2:1-2
New International Version (NIV)
New International Version (NIV)
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions,
prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Proverbs
29:2
King James Version (KJV)
King James Version (KJV)
2 When
the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth
rule, the people mourn.
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