Religion and Politics...

Oh. Religion and Politics - the most widely debated and discussed topic in America. Everything on the news seems to revolve around "religion and politics" somehow. Everyone's got their own opinion and each person wishes everyone else would agree with their opinion. At least, you'd think so from watching the news wouldn't you?

          Today, I'm not going to try to tell you what you should vote for or what you should believe in when it comes to the area of politics. I just want us to look at the Bible for a few minutes.

First of all, we should follow Jesus. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." That's simple enough, but that's not the end of a political discussion. It's too easy for so many in the church today to say "Well, I follow God first and put everything else second, but (insert government official here) doesn't." Then, these people will proceed to bad-mouth and disrespect that official while ranting about things like "revolution" or "freedom."

Like it or not, that's what happens so often nowadays.

Newsflash folks: the government doesn't owe Christians anything. The government honestly doesn't owe anyone. We don't have any "right" to "freedom of religion" or anything else. I have yet to see in the Bible where God told his people "make sure you remember that you have the right to freedom of religion." Nope. It's not there.

However, we do have the right and the obligation to follow God and keep his commandments, regardless of what everyone else says, thinks, or does. With that in mind, let's look at what Jesus says about the governing officials.

Romans 13:1-7 - Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 

Matthew 22:17-21 - Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

          And then let's look at what Paul said.

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


1 Timothy 2:1-2 - First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 - But we urge you brothers...to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Wow. So that's what the New Testament says about the government. Let's break it down.

1. Rom. 13:1-7 - We do what the government says and follow the laws, and resisting is resisting God's appointed. 

2. Matt. 22:17-21 - However, even though we are supposed to give the government what they expect from us, we are supposed to give to God what He expects from us.

3. Matt. 6:33 - In fact, we should always seek God first. We shouldn't do anything that goes against this command.

4. Col. 3:17 - Everything we do or say should be right in the sight of God - no exceptions. We should follow the government, but only as long as it does not cause us as Christians to do something we shouldn't or prevent us from doing something we should.

5. 1 Tim. 2:1-2 & 1 Thess. 4:10-12 - We should, while putting God first in everything - including politics and government issues - always pray for those who are in office. We should work with our own hands and pray that we can life quiet, peaceful lives. We should mind our own business and live the Christian life.

          We should put God first in everything we do, including political issues and the government. We should give God everything that He expects from us and to our best to ensure that everything we do or say lines up with His word. We should also work to live quiet, peaceful lives, and mind our own business. A part of living this type of lifestyle also includes working with our own hands so that we don't have to depend on others to do things for us.

However, once all of those qualifications are filled, we should give the government what they are due and follow them, for the leaders that we have are there because God wants them to be. Even if we don't understand why they are in office, we still owe them everything that their positions of power entitle them to receive as long as we don't go against the will of God. These include: taxes, respect, and following the laws. That means no cheating on taxes, no bad-mouthing or openly disrespecting those in power, and no speeding, for example.

That's what God expects from us.


          Next time politics are a part of a conversation, you are voting, or you are in the presence of a government official, remember how important the things you say and do are to God. Whatever happens in the sphere of government, we are always expected to put God first. He wouldn't include politics in the Bible if they weren't important.


Thank you for reading!
- Ethan