Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
During these tumultuous times Christians are often torn about their duty as a Christian in the midst of politics and government. But when you look at the whole of Scripture and also view it through historical and present day settings along with historical accounts, our duty seems clear.
Attitude toward government – According to Paul in Rom 13:1 & 4 God is sovereign over this world and He sets up leaders and takes down leaders. Paul tells us that those in authority are actually God’s ministers to stop evil and a “terror to evil doers”. He tells us that they carry weapons for the purpose of stopping the spread of evil. As God’s representatives in this world, we are to obey laws that do not contradict God’s laws. The apostles refused to stop preaching Jesus because their commission was from God and the rulers had no right to stop them. Daniel also prayed three times a day to God even though the law said it was illegal. Man cannot usurp God’s law. We are also told to pray for those in authority – even the ungodly – in order to live a peaceful and quiet life in all honesty. Prayer is an important part of our duties as Christians because the prayer of the ungodly is not heard by God.
Involvement in government – Christians are free to be involved in government; they can serve in various capacities. Daniel served under several pagan rulers and his godly life was so impacting that decrees were made by two rulers concerning Jehovah God. His life was so exemplary that his enemies had to get a law passed in reference to his prayer to God in order to get him arrested. Mordecai served a pagan king and also was instrumental in preventing that king from being assassinated. Esther served as queen in a pagan kingdom and was used of God for His purposes. Ezra and Nehemiah both served in pagan kingdoms – all these served willingly even though they did not campaign for their respective position (with perhaps the exception being Esther). In the New Testament Zacchaeus was a tax collector who as far as we know continued being a tax collector after being saved. Erastus was a chamberlain (governor or mayor) of a city and was a Christian (Rom 16:23). There is no prohibition against Christian’s service in government or other authoritative positions such as law enforcement. God through the years has instructed His people to place the best qualified into government and authoritative positions. He certainly would not advise us to place the wicked, ungodly or worst of the worst in those positions. When the worst came into power and led people away from God, then His judgment fell upon both the leaders and nation.
Live out our faith – If we are in positions of authority as in government, we are to live out our faith without fear or favor. We are not to be offensive, but neither are we to cower in fear and compromise our faith. Daniel, the three Hebrew children, Mordecai, Esther and others all practiced their faith in public service. Christians are also permitted to use the law to advance God’s cause or for their own protection. Esther used the law and her influence to save the Jews from destruction. Daniel used his influence to have his three friends placed in positions of authority and Paul used the law of Roman citizens to prevent being tortured.
New Testament teachings & government – The time period when Jesus walked the earth and today are two separate situations. When Jesus walked in Jerusalem, the Jews were under occupation from Rome and had no “official” government of their own. They used Roman money and were permitted certain latitude for worship and rulers in their synagogue etc. Often people will say that Christians are not to vote or get involved in government because Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world (age – time period). But they err because we live in a country founded upon Biblical values and Christian principles. The Founding Fathers prayed and sought God and put Him first in the founding of America. They also originally limited service in government to those professing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our constitution and laws were based upon Biblical principles and they endeavored to honor God in all things. God performed miracle after miracle to enable this upstart country to defeat the biggest and best army in the world and would he, then tells us that Christians cannot serve but have to leave that to sinners?
Voting then is a duty and privilege for Christians (along with prayer and being light and salt) and our voting should not be based upon the “perfect” candidate. But upon those who represent and support Biblical values. God is sovereign but he has not exempted us from our duties for Him as we sojourn here in this earth.