Increasingly, Christians are becoming involved in politics. In the USA, evangelical Christians form a significant voting block. They have seen the political power that they can wield. Let us examine Christian political involvement in the light of Scripture.
One may ask, “Didn’t Israel have kings? And yet we read that David was a man after God’s own heart?” We need to rightly divide the word of truth; God did not intend for Israel to have a king apart from Himself. Israel rejected God’s reign and so He gave them kings (1 Samuel 8:7-9). From David onwards, all the rightful kings came from his line; they were not elected, and the choice remained God’s. The people made Jehoahaz king (2 Kings 23:30), but his name is not found in the genealogy of the Lord (Matthew 1). The king was to do what was right in the sight of Jehovah; he was not called upon to be a political figure. When Josiah became involved in the politics of the world, the results were disastrous. “After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. ... And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died” (2 Chronicles 35:20-24).
What of Daniel? It is clear in the story of Daniel that he was an extraordinary public servant, but to suggest that he in any way pursued a political career would be a gross misrepresentation of scripture. Daniel’s service was of such a circumspect nature that Belshazzar did not appear to be acquainted with him (Daniel 5:11). Furthermore, when Belshazzar offered him the position of “third ruler in the kingdom” he declined (Daniel 5:16-17). Daniel knew from the writing on the wall that the days of Belshazzar’s kingdom were numbered and that it would be divided amongst the Medes and the Persians.
The World
As Christians, we have been delivered from this present evil world. Any teaching that would bring us back into union with this world is a corruption of the Gospel. Paul states this at the very beginning of his epistle to the Galatians:
“Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Galatians 1:3-4).
The principle of deliverance from the world is broader than just coming out from under the bondage of the law and circumcision. In chapter 17 of John, when the Lord communed with the Father, He made it clear that though we are in the world, we are not of the world.
“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world ... I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:11, 14).
Satan is the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). “World” in the Greek is kosmos and means an order or arrangement. It is often used in scripture to mean the present condition of human affairs, in alienation from and in opposition to God. It is a system rooted in man’s disobedience. We talk of men “rising in the world” and “getting along in the world,” both of which refer to the system, not the planet. There is no improving this world: “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John 12:31). Like Daniel, we can read the writing on the wall.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16).
If we are going to have a place in politics, we must necessarily be caught up in that system and be yoked together with unbelievers. Politicians, whether admitting it or not, will attempt to keep their political seat at nearly any cost — after all, if they lose their position of power, what help can they be to their constituency? Consequently, a politician must balance conscience against the desires of the people, a position that always ends in a compromise of principles.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
The world is not a clock, wound up by God, running its course. The authorities are ordained of God; He gives power into the hand of those He chooses and at times He may choose the lowest of men.
“To the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17).
To resist the authority that God has established means resisting God. Though some of the principles laid down by the founding fathers of the United States of America may be commendable, the U.S.A. is nevertheless founded upon revolution. Revolutions resist and overthrow an authority established by God.
“Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above [him]. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God. So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who [thus] resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2 JND).
This is a time for the Gospel to be preached, not for man to take up the sword: “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
Ambassadors for Christ
So then, what place does a Christian have in this world (though not a part of it)? We are to be ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador promotes the agenda of the leader and country to which he belongs. Though he may seek to influence the policies of the country in which he is stationed, he cannot directly intervene. An ambassador cannot vote; his citizenship is of another country.
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning to them their offences; and putting in us the word of that reconciliation. We are ambassadors therefore for Christ, God as [it were] beseeching by us, we entreat for Christ, Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20 JND).
In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle describes his work as an ambassador: God pleaded through them. They entreated for Christ, seeking that man might be reconciled to God through the work of the cross. We can also follow the pattern of the ambassador in winning souls for Christ. As to influencing those in authority, we have specific instruction to pray for them. Paul lived during Nero’s rule, yet not once do we read a statement concerning the politics of the day.
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
We have a Saviour God — He has not saved us from wrath to come merely to abandon us now, but rather He will continue to save until we receive our glorified bodies in heaven where we hold our citizenship even now:
“For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).
Many Christians are sincerely attempting to change the system, but from within the system. From such a position their testimony must be weakened. The unclean (the world) defiles the holy (the Christian), not the other way around:
“If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No” (Haggai 2:12).
The Spirit never leads us contrary to Scripture. While some may genuinely feel that God wishes to use them as his instrument for political change, it is well to keep in mind that God never acts contrary to His own word. We are a heavenly people. A permanent resident of the United States who is not a U.S. citizen cannot vote or hold elected office; his ballot would be rejected and he would be breaking the law if he tried to do so.