Politicians Through a Biblical Lens

I have been deeply disturbed for some time by the attitudes many of my fellow Christians have taken towards certain politicians.

All too many of my fellow Christians have an unhealthy, incorrect, un-Biblical view of politicians, treating them as powerful deities, vile demons, or worthless dirt.

Allow me to drop a truth bomb.  Politicians are not deities.  Politicians are not demons.  Politicians are not dirt.

Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_buildings_of_Canada

Politicians are people.

They have lives and loved ones.  They have hopes, dreams, disappointments, and sorrows.  Most importantly, as human beings, we know that politicians "have been made in God's likeness" (James 3:9).  Unfortunately, humans cannot attain God's perfection, as Romans 3:23 tells us: "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Certainly that is true.  Even the good politicians fall short sometimes.

Even so, the Bible tells us to submit to the governing authorities.  Romans 13:1-7 says,

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.  Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right and you will be commended.  For the one in authority is God's servant for your good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.  They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

"This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

Additionally, the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:1-4,

"I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

These passages were written in a time when the governing authorities were cruel Roman tyrants who persecuted Christians, torturing and killing large numbers of them, and stirring up public opinion against them.  And yet, the Christians were instructed to pay taxes, to pray for those in government, and even to submit to these tyrants!

The Christians could obey these commands in peace because they knew that the tyrants were in authority only by the say so of the all-powerful, righteous Creator.  This is the same God, Jesus, who told His followers, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).  Jesus also said, "in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Jesus offers His followers such strength and hope.  He commands us to live to a higher standard, possible only through His strength.

But we fail: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this should not be" (James 3:9-10).

Here is my challenge to myself and to my readers: Pray for those in government.

• Pray that they would bring glory to God.  
• Pray that they would use our taxes dollars wisely.  
• Pray that they would become worthy of the respect that we, through God's strength, give them.  
• Pray that they would come to know our Savior personally and would take off the sinful old self and "put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" (Colossians 3:10).

All Scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise noted.