How to Think About Politics as a Christian

I’m not overly political. I have opinions about policies and the future of our country. There are issues that I care about. I vote in state and local elections. While I try to stay educated about current political events, I also try not to view political news every day. The truth is, for many Americans, Christian or not, the political happenings of our government can be a source of stress. I believe this stress response is related to our lack of control. We can’t control what the President says. We can’t control what Congress does or change the decisions made by the Supreme Court. This stress can quickly trend toward hopelessness. But I’m here to say, there is a healthy way to think about politics as a Christian, for God holds all things together.

GOVERNMENT IS FOR OUR BENEFIT

In the Bible, we are told that the government is for our benefit. Romans 13 begins, “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.”

God designed and ordered creation. In this design, he placed governments over the people. This is for our benefit. With earthly authorities over us, humanity prospers and human wickedness is restrained. God wrote his law upon our hearts. This is for our benefit as mirror, curb, and guide. Human governments have written laws for a similar purpose. Both God’s law and man’s law are for our protection. Both reign us in and lead us to a more peaceable existence.

The Bible is clear. Our government is to be respected and honored (even if we don’t like the person in office or the policies made). The institution itself demands our esteem. Romans 13 continues with: “Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 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.”

THERE WILL NEVER BE A PERFECT GOVERNMENT

We live in a sinful world. Relationships are broken. Families split up. People lie, cheat, and steal. Our government is no exception. But a broken, sinful government does not negate our responsibility to honor what God instituted over us. In 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul encourages us to pray for our leaders. This is needed because they are not perfect. They are subject to sin and temptation just like anyone else.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

1 Timothy 2: 1-2

I don’t believe that God causes sin. He doesn’t lead government officials into corruption or dishonest actions. I do believe that God is sovereign. I believe that he can work his will through a broken government and sinful officials. Thanks be to God that our Father in heaven holds ultimate control over this fallen world. God knew that governments would be imperfect, but through his word, he’s still commanded us to subject ourselves to their order.

AMERICA IS NOT GOD’S CHOSEN NATION

Some Christians set America up as though it’s somehow God’s chosen nation, but there is no biblical basis for that idea. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” God does not love any one country more than another. He does not favor one over another. He loves the world.

In the Old Testament, God was very clear that Israel was his chosen nation. In Deuteronomy 7:6, it is written, “For you (Israel) are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” God walked with the Israelites. He ruled the nation and protected the people. But God’s arrangement and intimacy with this nation changed with the life and death of his son.

Salvation is for all people who believe in Jesus. In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter addresses the new church of believers. He says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

God’s chosen people are no longer one nation, be it through geography or genetics. Israel is no closer to God than any other government. America is no closer to God than any other government. God rules over all nations without preference. His people are everywhere in the world.

GOD IS YET IN CONTROL

God holds ultimate control over this world. Colossians 1: 16-17 is probably my favorite passage to remind us of this truth.

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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1: 16-17

When I think about politics as a Christian, sometimes I lean towards despair. The debate last Thursday was no exception. The truth is, so much is beyond my control. But it is yet in God’s control. He has not abandoned the earth. He is with us each day, working his will within his creation.

God is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

WHAT CAN WE CONTROL?

So yeah, other than my vote, I don’t have a a lot of control over American politics as a Christian. I hear gaffes and lies and empty promises. I see corruption and laws that actually hurt others when the intent was likely the opposite. (I’m putting the best spin on things there.) There’s so much that I can’t control; so much that you can’t control. What IS within our power?

We can serve our neighbors. I can’t change Washington. It angers me. It stresses me out. But I can serve the people in my community. I can care for those around me. Maybe this is done with money, but more than that, I think it’s done with time. We can give our time to one another. We can sit and listen. I can watch someone else’s children. I can water their lawn when they’re out of town. Take a meal. Look after a window. Care for those who have served our country. We can build a community, however small, and leave it better than we found it. I can affect change around me. You have the power to do the same.

THIS WORLD IS NOT THE END

I think for non-Christians, there can develop a hyper-fixation on government. When this life ends at death, there is this ravenous need to perfect what we have here and now. As a Christian, I understand the brokenness of this world. I try not to despair over it, because I know that God is ultimately in control. He has promised to come back and perfect his creation. One day, all of the world will be made new. I place my trust and my hope in this promise. I might be saddened by the world today, but I will not despair, because this world is not my end. It’s not the only thing I will know. It’s just a blip at the beginning of eternity.

Dear Christian friend, don’t despair. Let go of the stress. Release the things you cannot control. Rather, place your trust in the God who holds all things together. He is for you. His plan is perfect. His timing is perfect. He works all things together for good.

If you like this post on how to think about politics as a Christian, check out this post on Christian Identity and Personal Wellness.