Apr 04 2009
Christians and the Government
If you have access to the news media, it is highly likely there is something going on in government today which irritates you, concerns you, or makes you mad. While my contacts are admittedly limited, they are, nonetheless, extremely varied. From this diverse cross-section of humanity, I am receiving a uniform sense of growing unease and disillusionment. Without doubt we are looking at major changes in our country.
As Christians we face the difficult task of maintaining a proper response to our government in spite of our frustration with the waters into which we perceive those at the helm are directing this ship of state. St. Augustine argued that earthy government was not so much a necessary evil as a necessity of evil.
Were it not for man’s sinful bent, government would be unnecessary. However, while government exists to punish evil doers and reward those who do good, we also know, within government, evil men will exist. To paraphrase one wise man, “Complete power corrupts completely.”
Thus history shows government after government has abused their power. The Christian might rightly ask, Where is God in all of this?
We know God is in control. Proverbs tells us the king’s heart is in the hand of God. Thus, as Christians we MUST pray for those in authority over us. Granted this is not always an easy task, but it is a humbling one. And, if American Christians need to learn anything, we certainly need to learn the futility of our pride and our ‘I’ll pull myself up by my own bootstraps, thank you very much’ attitude.
We also know God is on the side of righteousness. God is never for evil. God is never the author of evil. God will punish evil, if not now then ultimately. Not only does Scripture teach this, logic demands it. Without ultimate justice, ethics are meaningless and undesirable.
Our faith is tested and strengthened as we learn to trust God’s timing in the punishment of evil doers. Thus while we must not seek vengeance on our own, it is certainly not wrong to pray for God to punish workers of iniquity.
Yet, in all, we must remember, ultimately, it is only by and through God’s providence anyone ever wins or loses an election. God has His hand on America, even in these trying times, He is working things for His glory and our good. In response we are called to trust and obey. Trust God to work things out, bring our petitions before Him, humble ourselves under His mighty hand, and obey both God and man as long as man’s directives do not oppose God’s law.
