How is a Spirit-filled Christian supposed to live related to human governments while on the earth?
Romans 13:1-2, 1 Peter 2:13-14
American Christians live in a time of overwhelming uncertainty about human government. Our nation is about to go through a very rancorous and divisive national election in which it is very difficult to see any wholesome choice, any candidate who truly speaks for the things we Christians care about the most. The divisiveness of politics has reached such a level that citizens of both major parties have said in recent years “Not My President” about whoever was holding the highest post in the land.
Any careful student of American history, especially of politics, will readily recall that such divisiveness and rancor is nothing new. It would be extremely unlikely for our nation ever to reach the level of division that attended the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency in 1860. Slavery was such a toxic issue that Lincoln’s election caused eleven states to secede from the union, leading directly to a bloody civil war. These divisions flow tragically and naturally from the sin natures of the citizens. However, Christians know from scripture that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), and our true citizenship is in heaven, not on earth (Philippians 3:20). Therefore, we are not relying on the outcome of an election to establish Christ’s kingdom and his righteousness on earth.
That’s not to say that politics don’t matter. A nation’s policies can either help or hinder the peaceful advance of the kingdom of God in our hearts and in the world. Paul ordered Christians to pray for leaders to govern wisely so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness, and also to pray for the salvation of our leaders as well (1 Timothy 2:1-5).
Christians are to show respect for their authority wherever possible, thus directly rebuking the general rebellion in the hearts of unconverted people who easily say, ‘Not My President.’
Beyond that, in the two passages above, both Paul and Peter command Christians to submit to governing authorities. By so doing, we will ultimately be submitting to God who established them. Human governments have only very rarely been led by genuine Christians following genuine Christian principles. Indeed, the Roman Empire, under whose auspices the apostles wrote those commands, was led by Caesars who were utterly wicked men and whose policies ultimately led to the death of both by execution. Yet God wants Christians to understand that human governments play a vital role in this sin-saturated age—restraining evil and promoting the general welfare. Christians therefore are directly commanded to submit, meaning to obey them, whenever possible.
Obviously, there are exceptions. When the authorities in Jerusalem forbade the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the apostles Peter and John said, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God” (Acts 4:19). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to obey Nebuchadnezzar’s order to worship an idol (Daniel 3). But for the most part, the laws and regulations of most human governments on earth neither forbid what God has commanded nor command what God has forbidden. Christians are to show respect for their authority wherever possible, thus directly rebuking the general rebellion in the hearts of unconverted people who easily say, “Not My President,” or “Question authority!”
In the end, we are waiting for the only perfect government that can ever be: the kingdom of Jesus Christ reigning over a world made up exclusively of glorified saints. Building that kingdom by the two journeys of holiness and evangelism should dominate our hearts and our days.
