Should Christians care about politics? Should Christians be involved in politics? Does the Bible say anything about political leaders in the modern world? These are the types of questions that need to be answered, as Christians, while citizens of Heaven, are residents of this world. Being residents of this planet means that we are faced with differing political views every day.
No matter how much you claim to be uninterested in politics, you have some views that concern politics. If someone were to ask you your opinion about any “hot button” topic that you hear about in the news, you’d probably say something that somehow aligns with a politician’s stance on the topic. Soon, the conversation would likely lead to you saying that you support that particular politician.
There are a lot of misconceptions about politics in the Christian world. One of the gravest misconceptions involves God’s level of care about politics and political leaders. Today, discover more about what the Bible says about politics so you can navigate one of the most divisive topics in the world in a way that pleases your Heavenly Father.
Does God Care About Politics?
Daniel 2:21-22 (NIV)
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
“He deposes kings and raises up others.” God has been involved in world politics since the very beginning of time. That may sound bizarre, but you simply need to look back to the Book of Exodus to find out the truth about God’s activity in the political arena.
While there are some mentions of priests and kings in the Book of Genesis, Exodus, the second Book of the Bible, gives a greater insight into God’s activity in the world of politics. Pharaoh was ruling over Egypt when Moses was born, and had issued a decree that every Hebrew male child should be executed. Through a lengthy story that highlights God’s faithfulness and favor, Moses ends up not only surviving the genocide, but he even wound up as the adopted grandson of Pharaoh.
God used Moses’ status in Pharaoh’s house to eventually lead His people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. While Moses is certainly the star of that story, Pharaoh’s position played an important role. God had put him in that position during that season for a purpose, and God carried out that purpose.
The rest of the Bible is filled with stories about men and women being in positions of leadership, some of them good and some wicked, which were ordained by God to fulfill His purpose. That’s why the Bible says that God tears kingdoms down and He sets new ones up.
Yes, God is interested in politics, but not in the way that we are. Since God is not limited by our sense of time, “term limits” and other political terms don’t matter to Him. Instead, He puts people in positions of authority when He sees fit to carry out His purpose. So, while God is interested in politics, God is not stressed about politics. He already knows who has won the election or who has been appointed to hold office.
Being involved and interested in politics is not an ungodly trait. However, it’s important to not let your interest in politics become a source of fear and anxiety, as we can rest in the fact that it is God who sets up leadership and brings leadership down.
How Should We Respond to Political Changes?
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
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.
There is a lot to unpack in these verses from Paul’s first letter to Timothy. First of all, look at the beginning of the passage that we just read at the things that Paul encourages Timothy and those in the church that Timothy attended to do. Petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving were to be made for all people, for kings and those in authority.
Petitions and prayers are logistically the same thing. Paul simply used these words to underscore the importance of praying for those in leadership. However, his use of the word “intercessions” is interesting. The process of interceding for someone means that you stand in a position on their behalf when they are unable to do so themselves.
Not every politician that we exist under is a Christian. While we do not have any way of knowing why God allows non-Christians to win elections, it’s important to understand that there are times where some of our political leaders do not have access to God through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. In those moments, we are called to stand in the gap and intercede on their behalf. Additionally, there are times where Christian leaders are so bogged down by the cares of their office and the world as a whole that they cannot pray. In those moments, we are called to intercede for them.
Additionally, we are called to offer thanksgiving for those in positions of leadership. That is a difficult concept, especially when the candidate who we have chosen to support doesn’t win the election. How are we supposed to thank God for somebody winning an election when we wanted the other person to win? Doesn’t that seem counterintuitive?
It does, but things that make sense in the spiritual realm often fail to make sense in the natural realm. Offering thanksgiving for those in leadership, even when we didn’t vote for them, isn’t actually about thanking God for the individual who is holding office. Instead, it is about thanking God for His sovereignty and His power which is made evident in the things that we do not understand.
Praying, interceding, and thanking God for those in positions of authority opens the door for something that we all say we want. Paul says that when we do those things, we can live peaceful, quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Do you wish our country was more peaceful? Do you wish life was quieter and easier to deal with? If so, you can start making that a reality by approaching the political arena from a place of prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving.
The Bible talks a lot about politics. However, no matter what you may have heard, God does not align Himself with one political party over another. As the people of God, we are not called to commit ourselves blindly to the donkey or the elephant. Instead, we are called to follow the Lamb of God that was slain from the foundation of the world. Instead of following a political mascot, we are called to devote our lives to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to focus more on You than on the stress that political conversations can bring about. I know that You have the power to set up kingdoms and you bring kingdoms down. Help me to rest in the fact that You are working even when I don’t understand what’s happening. Bless those who hold office with Your presence and make Yourself clearly known to them. Thank You for working in every area of my life, including those who are in authority over me. In Christ’s name, Amen.