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Articles
Christians and Politics
With the elections in our country just more than three months away, the campaign season seems to be in full swing. It is so easy to get frustrated by politicians. As with all things it is important we approach politics from a biblical perspective. Since “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9), we can trust God’s word to guide us through the political climate of our times. I Peter 2:17 is a particularly useful passage we would do well to apply.
“Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” I Peter 2:17
Honor all people. To honor someone is to see the value in that person. Society loves to assign labels to groups of people, but those labels end up creating division. Regardless of label or party affiliation, all people were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and are therefore worthy of honor. God created every individual on purpose, and He finds value in each person (Luke 12:6-7). Honoring a person does not mean you have to agree with that person. In fact, honor demands honesty. Dishonesty honors no one. In our honesty, though, we must also act with respect.
Love the brotherhood. As a Christian, you must value your fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ above any difference of political opinion you may have. There are more than enough political opinions people get fired up about. It is okay to have strong opinions. It is even okay for the person in the next pew to have a different opinion, (as long as it is not concerning Scriptural issues, of course). We must not let our differences of opinion affect our love for one another (John 13:34, Romans 13:8, I Thessalonians 4:9, I Peter 1:22, I John 3:11).
Fear God. Why do you honor all people, even those you vehemently disagree with? Because you fear God. Why do you love the brotherhood, even those whose opinions differ from yours? Because you fear God. While the freedom we have in this country is a blessing, God offers true freedom: freedom from sin. Which freedom is most important to you, physical freedom or spiritual freedom? If spiritual freedom, then be sure to act like it. There is plenty of fear coming from both sides of the political aisle concerning which party will be in control of our federal government in a few months. The Christians of Peter’s day understood the dangers of corrupt government leaders. Remember, Peter likely wrote while the evil Emperor Nero was systematically slaughtering Christians. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must always live by His words in Matthew 10:28, “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Honor the King. Honoring politicians we disagree with is a foreign concept for many today. Understand, this is the same honor we owe to all men. This honor is not even based on a person’s works of merit. As a Christian, you do not honor a person because they have accomplished something to deserve your honor; you honor someone because you are the type of person capable of bestowing honor upon those God deems honorable. To honor the king (or any government authority) is to acknowledge the worth they have as an individual created God’s image, and to respect the authority God has given them (I Peter 2:13-14). Again, honor does not equal agreement, and it certainly does not mean you have to be dishonest. Christians should always speak “the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). In fact, Peter spoke the truth when he said, “We must obey God rather than men” in Acts 5:29. Just remember, Peter was willing to go to jail for His faith as well.
As a Christian, you must always remember your true citizenship is in heaven. Just prior to verse 17 Peter wrote, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” in I Peter 2:9. It’s good to be a concerned citizen of the United States. As those called to be “the light of the world,” we should do what we can to positively influence our country and our culture. At the end of the day, our allegiance needs to be to God as we seek His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). In conducting ourselves in such an honorable manner, our behavior may actually lead others to “glorify God” (I Peter 2:12).
