Christians and Politics: How to be 'Light' in our Government
Christians and Politics, do they go together? The truth is that Christians differ in their beliefs in regards to involvement in Politics. In this post, I will examine the differing views and the question- is it important for Christians to influence our laws?
In the political climate we are presently living in, it would be easy to think that it doesn’t matter if you vote or not – we may think that it will not make any difference.
Some Christians believe that they should not engage in politics as they believe that it would be “imposing their morality on others.” However, Jesus commands us and encourages us to be salt and light in a dark world. Matthew 5:13-16
One way we can do that is by influencing our culture to legislate moral laws.
Importantly, we must realize that our Government does impose morality in many ways.
“Every time a legislature enacts legislation, it is always an imposition of morality.
Laws against thievery impose the morality of the honest over the dishonest. Laws against prostitution impose a sexual morality. Declaring anything legal or illegal is a statement of morality. Legislation is build upon morality, and morality is build upon religion.” Nelson University
Does the Bible give Christians any insight as to what Jesus would have us do?
Yes, it does.
Jesus told his disciples to “Render to Caesar that which is Caesars, and to God, the things that are Gods.“
By that statement, Jesus made a case that there is a responsibility to engage in civic matters. However, Jesus lived at a time and place where the people lived under the oppression of an imperial dictatorship so there was no opportunity to vote.
Christians and Politics: How should we vote?
In our culture, God has given us the privilege and means to be salt and light in our Country through the selection of a Government that aligns most closely with the values of Biblical teaching.
This should be the basis of our vote as we consider what the political party stands for on important moral issues.
“The popular notion that ‘you can’t legislate morality’ is a myth. Morality is legislated every day from the vantage point of one value system being chosen over another. The question is not whether we will legislate morality, but whose morality gets legislated.” Chuck Colson
Christians and Politics: Influence Government for Good
Wayne Grudem wrote a very thorough article, Why Christians Should Seek to Influence Government for Good. In his article adapted from a chapter in his book, Politics-According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture, he addresses five views of Christian involvement that he finds unbiblical and after that offers a more balanced and biblical solution.
He outlines the wrong views and expands on those in his article. I recommend reading his full article HERE.
The following is the outline of the 5 views he believes are unbiblical.
- Government Should Compel Religion
- Government Should Exclude Religion
- All Government is Evil and Demonic
- Do Evangelism, Not Politics
- Do Politics, Not Evangelism
He then goes on to list Better Views which show Support for Significant Christian Influence. It is a very good article, again, I encourage you to read it. The link is highlighted above.
He states- and I agree: “I believe that every Christian citizen who lives in a democracy has at the very least a minimal obligation to be well-informed and to vote for candidates and policies that are most consistent with biblical principles.”
Christians and Politics: Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the strong Christian influence and biblical standards that once shaped our Country through the nineteenth century have given way to practical atheism and moral relativism.
The Christian worldview is in the rear view mirror and most Western Governments now support and promote immorality.
Could it be that:
- a very significant part of the problem is that Christians are no longer being salt and light in the world?
- the way Christians live is not that different from non-Christians?
- many Churches are no longer focusing on the gospel message of Jesus?
- Christians have become apathetic about biblical morality and principled leaders?
Ultimately, the moral decline in our Country is a spiritual problem.
We need to pray for healing for our land and 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a great Biblical prayer and promise.
I leave you with that.
