Christians and Politics

 

This is a post that is either going to make people really excited or really angry, and I’m not so sure there’s a lot of room in between. Politics today are so polarizing, and simply having an opinion of any kind, right, left, or center can automatically cause people to love or hate you. So where does that leave Christians? Should we have political opinions? Should we voice them? And, most importantly, what does the Bible say? The Bible doesn’t address politics in the way we think of them today, because there were no democracies, elections, or campaigns during those times. It does, however, speak to how followers of Jesus should engage with the government, society, and each other. 

I think there are two principles that the Bible communicates to us in regards to politics. The first is that we need to remember where our true citizenship lies. In Philippians 3.20, Paul writes, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our true identity and citizenship isn’t tied to a political party or a nation, but to a Savior, Jesus Christ. We are citizens of heaven and we need to remember that when we make decisions or share opinions about politics. Jesus said, in John 18.36, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Our first allegiance is to Jesus and His kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. This doesn’t mean we need to disregard the political climate of our earthly nations or ignore those who are in governmental positions, it just means that we color everything with the tint of Christ and His Kingdom. 

The second principle Scripture teaches us regarding politics is that we are commanded to respect governing authorities. Paul says in Romans 13.1-2, “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.” Peter says, in 1 Peter 2.13-14, “Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.” The command is clearly for Christians to submit to the authority of the government God has placed above them (notice it doesn’t describe what kind of government). The exception to this command is, of course, if the government is commanding believers to defy God and disobey Scripture (see Acts 5.29). However, if it doesn’t contradict Scripture or cause you to sin, you are commanded to submit to the authority of the government. This means being respectful and obedient to those in authority, even if you disagree with them. 

So, big picture, what does that mean for the believer? Is it best for us to not even have a political opinion or get involved? Here’s my advice. Have your political opinions, but always remember that you are a representative of Christ and people will think of Him when they see and hear you. Since that’s the case, we should be very cognisant of what we are saying and doing when it comes to expressing our opinions. What we say and do should represent Christ well and be respectful of those in authority. In that way we can obey Jesus’s command in Matthew 5.16 to let our light shine so that others can see us and give God glory.