MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
In today’s divided world, politics can feel like a minefield. But as Christians, we can navigate elections, debates, and divisions with a worldview that seeks to uplift God and bring reconciliation. Politics have to do with persuasion, and through politics, citizens gain what government offers. Divisiveness may seem severe in this century, but in teaching US history, the country has always dealt with animosity; for example, between the supporters of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800s.
Some biblical principles can guide how we look at politics. Hebrews 12:14 is a call to harmony and moral purity, emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence as well as a holy life. "Live peaceably with all men and holiness without which no one will see the Lord." In Ephesians 4:15, Paul urges us to "speak the truth in love." These are essentially our spiritual responsibility, whether in family, church, or politics. Living out both principles depends on discernment and the Holy Spirit.
In a recent Sunday school class, we discussed how to engage with a worldview that 1) honors God, 2) balances civic duties with obedience to Christ, and 3) prioritizes His kingdom. There is clear guidance in the three following passages of. scripture, showing how to live as faithful citizens of earth and heaven, reflecting God's love and truth.
1) Giving to Caesar and to God (Matthew 22:17-21). Pharisees came to Jesus to trap him with a loaded question about paying taxes. If Jesus answered yes, He risked alienating Jews who resented Roman rule. If no, He could be accused of treason. Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and responded, "'Show me the coin used for paying the tax... Whose image is this?'" When they gave the obvious answer, Caesar, He said, '"So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.'"
As Christians, we bear God's imagine; we belong to Him. Paying taxes is a civic duty, but our ultimate allegiance - heart, soul, and mind - belongs to God (Matthew 22:37).
2) Obeying God above all (Acts 5:27-29). The apostles faced a different challenge after the Spirit's outpouring at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). They were boldly preaching Jesus' resurrection, defying the Sanhedrin's strict orders, and were thrown in jail. Miraculously freed by an angel, they continued sharing the gospel. When hauled before the Sanhedrin, Peter declared, "'We must obey God rather than human beings!'"
The apostles' example doesn't mean that Christians always defy authority. When possible, we are to respect laws - but when human commands contradict God's, and when human authority clashes with God's truth, we follow God. Discernment, prayer, and courage are needed as we trust the Holy Spirit to guide through moral dilemmas.
3) Submitting to authority as God's servants (Romans 13:1-7). Not every government is godly - the Romans during Paul's time were especially brutal and unjust. However, building on Jesus' teachings and Peter's words to the Sanhedrin, Paul wrote, "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (verse 1). God has ordained the concept of authority to maintain order and justice (verse 4). As Christians, we pay taxes, respect and honor leaders, and obey laws "as a matter of conscience" (verses 5-7).
We must use caution in challenging authority. Realizing the pitfalls of power, prestige, and popularity faced by any politician, Paul stated clearly that we are to pray for leaders, seeing them as God does. Government deals with issues on a macro level; as individuals, we are to consider each other on a 'micro' or personal level.
The three scripture passages above challenge us to filter our political engagement through faith. In a divisive climate, we may be tempted to align with parties or popular opinion rather than God's truth. But Jesus, Peter, and Paul show a better way, honoring God above all, fulfilling civic duties, and prioritizing His kingdom in our interactions with others.
Paul wrote in Romans 12:1-2, "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God… Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Not just in politics, but in every way, we are to offer our lives to God, resist worldly pressures, and measure our choices according to His will.
Some practical ways to live out a Christian worldview are to pray for leaders, whether we agree with them or not. We should engage in our community, volunteering, voting, serving, with Christ's love for individuals. We can pay what we owe - taxes, respect, honor - while devoting our whole life to God. We need to be known, not for political persuasions, but for love, integrity, and hope. Periodically we reflect on political choices, discerning whether they align with God's ways or worldly pressures.
Paul in Philippians 3:20 reminds, "Our citizenship is in heaven." We live as ambassadors of Christ, to shine His transforming light on a polarized world. Remember to "live peaceably with all men” and to “speak the truth in love.”
