As government extends beyond its constitutional boundaries and undermines clearly scriptural absolutes, what role do Christians have in politics and presidential elections? Should they jump in the battles to legislate morality, investing time, energy, talent, and resources in electing and unseating governing authorities, passing and defeating laws? While one believer may insist on front-line warfare, another may insist it's wrong to engage at all. Or it doesn't matter. What does God's word say? Is one right and the other wrong?
Romans 13:1-8 establishes a number of non-negotiable truths that can help sort out the gray. Timeless points of certainty exempt from argument and controversy. "There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" (verse one).
Every authority is from the Lord. Not just the office of authority, but the very person who occupies it. If a person is in authority, it is because God put them there, whether one agrees with their personal, moral, and political convictions or not. Whether one thinks what they are doing is right or not. Whether what they believe, say, or do lines up with the word of God or not. Whether they are Democrat, Republican, Tea Party, or Independent. There is no authority except from God.
When Jesus wouldn't answer Pilate regarding the charges brought against Him, Pilate challenged him in John 19:10, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Jesus answered in verse eleven, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above."
Not one person has power that is not given from above. Of God's absolute power and authority, Daniel 2:21 says, "He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." As well, "The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:25).
"Let every soul be subject... " (verse one).
It is the essence of following Christ. A life wholly His. Why the word soul? According to Strong's G5590, soul is from the Greek word psych� (www.blueletterbible.com) and refers to the "breath of life; living being; seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.); the soul as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death." Be subject in the Greek is to willingly assume one's place in God's order under and obedient to those He appoints.
No matter how a person may justify defiance, nothing changes God's ultimate power and authority over all things. No matter how great the offense, how tragic the infraction, how unfair the mandate, how immoral the ruler. All are under that which is ordained by God. Every living, breathing human being is to put themselves in His order, to remain in their assigned place, not only with the actions of the flesh, but with the attitude of the heart, mind, and will.
If a Christian believes God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, it will be entirely possible to submit to governing authorities, even when the individuals in office stand in direct opposition to the One who ultimately put them there. Because believers' faith, trust, and well-being aren't dependent on who's in authority and what laws they're enacting, they can know God will take care of them no matter what. No matter who is president or what threatens the nation. Nothing slips under His radar or catches Him off guard. He is in control, so Christians can be secure in the assurance of His promises, continuing in joy and peace even in the midst of cultural, moral, political, financial, and national chaos. They can be subject to governing authorities because God is THE Governing Authority.
"Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves" (verse two).
Believers who resist governing authorities risk judgment on themselves for resisting God. There is but one exception, and that is when the word of authority opposes the word of God. If a mandate requires directly disobeying God, the Christian is to obey God. Peter makes this clear in Acts 5:29 when he tells the high priest who forbade him and the apostles to preach in Jesus' name: "We ought to obey God rather than men." The Bible is a higher authority than any civil government. But if the law of the land does not directly oppose the Bible, Christians are to obey civil and governing authorities, whether they agree with their mandates or not.
"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil... For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (first part of three and verse four).
Many of rulers do not appear to be God's ministers for good. They do not appear to be executing wrath on those who practice evil. Quite the opposite, in fact. Yet, God's word is infallible, which goes back to verse one. Is God the ultimate authority? Can He be trusted? Is all authority from Him? Either it is or isn't. Either He is God or He is not. To believe is to believe ALL those He puts in positions of authority are His ministers for good. Because He says they are. Not easy to grasp, but necessary.
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