As we approach the delicate subject of Christians and political activity, it seems appropriate to take a look at what The Word of God has to say about Christians and Politics / Government. We are particularly concerned with the fact that all too many people, especially Christians, have just thrown up their hands and dropped out of the political process. They don’t bother to inform themselves, seek out the right candidates or even vote. The attitude seems to be…”They’re going to do what they want to do anyway”…whomever they are.

Two topics will help us gain a better comprehension of why Christians need to be involved in our political process.  We need to understand these things:
(1. What the Word describe as the biblical functions of government.
(2. What the Word says about the biblical responsibilities of godly government  officials.

Romans 13:3 tells us that there are two basic functions of government.
(1. not to be a terror or hindrance to good works.
     In other words, the government is to promote and protect good works. What 
     are good works? They are things that help promote and support a peaceful,
     prosperous and godly lifestyle.
(2. Romans 13:3 also identifies the second basic function of government, which is
     to be a terror to evil.  In other words, government is to punish evildoers / criminals.

First Peter 2:14 also states that government is to punish evil doers., and Romans 13 verse 4 tells us how this is to happen.  It says that…”if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he (government) beareth not the sword in vain; for he (government) is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil”. According to this verse, God has given government power to enforce itself and it’s laws.

We must also take a look at the responsibilitiesand qualifications set forth in scripture for government officials. Exodus 18:21 states ; “moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people – able men such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers (officials) of thousands, and rulers (officials) over hundreds, rulers (officials) over tens”.

So the four qualifications for rulers are:
(1. to be able
(2. to fear God
(3. to be truthful, and
(4. to hate covetousness”

If a ruler doesn’t have the fear of God he’ll probably be a man pleaser and compromise biblical principles. A ruler (official) must study and know truth from The Word. John 17:17 states, “thy word is truth”. A ruler must hate covetousness; he also can’t serve two masters because according to Luke 16:13…”he will hate the one and love the other”.

In II Samuel 23:3 it is stated…”he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God”.

Deut. 17 gives more qualifications. Verse 17 also says that an official shall not multiply wives to himself. In other words, verse 17 speaks to the fact that the major hindrances to godliness are – the lust of the flesh, the lusts of the eye and the pride of life. An excellent example of an official who fell because of these things was king Solomon. He had everything going for him, then, he became rich, married many wives and .. his heart turned from God.

Verse 18 states that the (official) is to write a copy of the law in a book. This means he is to have his own personal copy of The Word, which contains the laws of God. Verse 19 states that the king (official) is to read therein (in the book that contains the laws) all the days of his life. This is so he will have wisdom and the fear of God and not the fear of man.  Verse 20 says that the official cannot let his heart be lifted up above his brethren. The ruler (official) must not be proud and power hungry.

Now back to the issue of Christians and their lack of participation in the political process. There is a popular myth or fairy tale that says Christians today should not influence or be involved in politics. We’ve been told that politics are dirty or unspiritual. Many are discovering that the only reason politics have become dirty and unspiritual is because a large majority of Christians have abandoned this God ordained biblical institution.

Proverbs 29:2 gives the basic reason why corruption exists in government. It states …”when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn”.  It follows that it is not possible to elect righteous folks to govern over us if true Christians are not attempting to run for public office.

Proverbs 29:12 says that “if a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked”. This means an ungodly official will have and appoint wicked aides to assist him or her.

Scripture even illustrates, to a great degree, the place that our country seems to be in today.

First, as Christians we’ve not done a very good job of passing on our Godly heritage to the next generation as commanded in Psalms 78:1-8.  The results of this failure is found in Judges 2:10.     It reads “and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done…”  Some of the people from this generation are governing our land today. As a further result, we now live in the midst of a situation that is described in Judges 21:25.  It reads “every man did that which was right in his own eyes”. We have only to read the newspapers or watch the TV news to see that this is true today.

So what can Christians do to help the situation? This same type question is asked in Psalms 11:3.  ”If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do”?

First of all, we can become informed , imitating the children of Issachar (I Chron 12:32) who were men that had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do. In other words, we need to understand the times and society that we’re living in and what it will take to make things better.

Secondly, as Christians we need to get more involved in our local, state and federal government. Remember, Matthew 5:13-14 tells us that we are to be the “salt” of the earth and "light of the world”. We should regularly communicate our feelings on issues to our officials. We should ask God what He would have us to do in the area of biblical government; it might even be to run for a government position.

Third, we should be leading people to Christ. Mark 16:15 instructs that we should ..”go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”. Proverbs 11:30 says, ”he that winneth souls is wise”.

Fourth, we should pray for a heaven sent revival according to the principles in II Chron 7:14 which reads: “if my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land”.  (Who are God’s people today?) Christians. If He did it then, won’t He do the same for us and our land now?

Finally, Christians not only have the responsibility of electing godly officials but, to pray for them after they are in office. I Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I exhort therefore that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty”. We need to pray much for our leaders. Praying for our government officials “is good and acceptable in the sight of God”.

May God bless Maine and America.

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The Christian Civic League has a policy statement on political involvement.  You can view all of the policy statements on the League’s web site; www.cclmaine.org and clicking on “policies”.

15.  Political Involvement

A. We believe the Bible teaches that civil government is an institution ordained by God and that the Christian is to honor and respect government.  We support every citizen’s right to participate openly and fully in the political life of the community, state and nation.  For the Christian, we believe such participation is a moral responsibility.

B. We shall endeavor, by all means at our command, and in cooperation with other existing agencies, to educate the people in good citizenship, to elect honest and competent officials, and to secure good laws and their impartial enforcement.

C. We support the principle that in a free and open society, pubic issues should be debated and decided publicly by all the people.  We, therefore, support both the letter and the spirit of Maine’s “Right to Know” law.  We also support so-called sunshine laws, which require that the public’s business be conducted openly.

D. We affirm the primacy of the spiritual.  Therefore, we believe that no political or economic program or ideology must ever be permitted to take the place of personal evangelism and individual salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  The Christian owes his first allegiance to God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  No other loyalty must ever divide that allegiance.  We also believe that Christianity should impact every avenue of human endeavor and that persons changed through the transforming power of Christ can change society.  We believe the Holy Scriptures clearly assign to the Christian the message and the mission of fundamental change.

E. Even as we affirm the Christian’s duty to participate in politics, we convey our deep and abiding respect for the right of others to participate also.  We honor political differences in a free society.  We stand opposed to any attempt to circumvent the democratic political process through censorship of protected free speech or the imposition of ideas or policies against the will of the majority.  We believe that political freedom can only be preserved by the free minds of free men  and women.  We, therefore, affirm our support for political tolerance.