Faith and Politics Cheat Sheet
Introduction
By way of introduction, let me just say that this post is being made pretty spontaneously, and so it may not flow as naturally as I would normally intend. If you've been around Bayview Bible Church the past few Sundays, you know that I've been preaching on "The Doctrine of Elections" - a primer on how Christians ought to incorporate their faith into the civil realm and think about politics, nations, and the like.
I thought it might be helpful to type up an easy, bullet-point summary of some key talking points and takeaways. If something I say on here needs further explanation, please take the time to listen through the sermons in this short series. Without further ado, here is my Faith and Politics Cheat Sheet.
I thought it might be helpful to type up an easy, bullet-point summary of some key talking points and takeaways. If something I say on here needs further explanation, please take the time to listen through the sermons in this short series. Without further ado, here is my Faith and Politics Cheat Sheet.
Faith and Politics Cheat Sheet
God's Control Extends Over the Hearts of Kings
We can tend to think (or at least act) as if God's sovereign control has limits and isn't allowed into the human heart. This is heavily contradicted throughout the Bible, and Proverbs 21:1 tells us that even the hearts of kings are entirely in God's control, and he will direct them to fulfill his good purposes on the earth.
The Rulers of the Earth Are Meant to Rule According to God's Word
We have bought the lie that kings, presidents, etc. should check their faith at the door and rule in a so-called "neutral" manner. This is, of course, impossible. Rather than being turned loose to rule however they'd like, God has bound the rulers of the earth in covenant to himself (Ps. 2) and intends for them to rule accordingly. The necessary conclusion is that God cares how a nation is ruled, and we should care, too.
Calling Our Leaders to Bow to Jesus is a Good Thing
Flowing from the previous point is the necessary conclusion that it is good and right for the citizens of a nation to not only pray for their leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2), but to call them to true faith and repentance. Our desires should reflect God's desires. If God wants the king to worship him, we must want the king to worship him.
There is Only One Standard of Good
Romans 13 tells us that civil magistrates are appointed by God and are meant to act as "God's servant for your good" (Rom. 13:4). If civil leaders are meant to do good, we have to ask, good according to whom? Who gets to define what good is? Scripture tells us that God alone is good (Mark 10:18) and his word alone is pure (Ps. 19:7-11). God defines what is good. If a ruler is meant to do good for his people, he must rule according to God's good standards.
Christians Promote the Greatest Good
As I just said, there is only one standard of good, and that's God's standard. Since Christians are to love their neighbors and seek the best interest of those around them, we, too, have an obligation to live in a way that promotes the greatest good in our society. This includes our trip to the ballot box. We must ask and answer the question, "How can I use my vote to help best steer the nation toward God's standard of goodness?"
Christians May Not Be Passive
Nehemiah 4 shows us that when God calls his people to a work, the only correct option is to get to work! Being ready to build and ready to defend should be the default posture of all believers. We ought to constantly be asking the question, "What am I building for God, and how am I prepared to defend it?"
God's Work Starts at Home
Before we can think of changing a nation, we need to be working for reformation in our own lives, families, and homes. Start with your own household and promote the worship of God there. This will inevitably overflow into your church and community. It's good to promote change from the top down (like in a national election), but just as important is working for change from the bottom-up.
Pray, Pray, Pray
Like Nehemiah and Daniel, get comfortable on your knees before the Lord. Pray concentrically, starting with yourself and moving out to your family, church, community, county, state, and nation. Prayer ought to become reflexive for God's people, whether to praise, petition, or confess.
We can tend to think (or at least act) as if God's sovereign control has limits and isn't allowed into the human heart. This is heavily contradicted throughout the Bible, and Proverbs 21:1 tells us that even the hearts of kings are entirely in God's control, and he will direct them to fulfill his good purposes on the earth.
The Rulers of the Earth Are Meant to Rule According to God's Word
We have bought the lie that kings, presidents, etc. should check their faith at the door and rule in a so-called "neutral" manner. This is, of course, impossible. Rather than being turned loose to rule however they'd like, God has bound the rulers of the earth in covenant to himself (Ps. 2) and intends for them to rule accordingly. The necessary conclusion is that God cares how a nation is ruled, and we should care, too.
Calling Our Leaders to Bow to Jesus is a Good Thing
Flowing from the previous point is the necessary conclusion that it is good and right for the citizens of a nation to not only pray for their leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2), but to call them to true faith and repentance. Our desires should reflect God's desires. If God wants the king to worship him, we must want the king to worship him.
There is Only One Standard of Good
Romans 13 tells us that civil magistrates are appointed by God and are meant to act as "God's servant for your good" (Rom. 13:4). If civil leaders are meant to do good, we have to ask, good according to whom? Who gets to define what good is? Scripture tells us that God alone is good (Mark 10:18) and his word alone is pure (Ps. 19:7-11). God defines what is good. If a ruler is meant to do good for his people, he must rule according to God's good standards.
Christians Promote the Greatest Good
As I just said, there is only one standard of good, and that's God's standard. Since Christians are to love their neighbors and seek the best interest of those around them, we, too, have an obligation to live in a way that promotes the greatest good in our society. This includes our trip to the ballot box. We must ask and answer the question, "How can I use my vote to help best steer the nation toward God's standard of goodness?"
Christians May Not Be Passive
Nehemiah 4 shows us that when God calls his people to a work, the only correct option is to get to work! Being ready to build and ready to defend should be the default posture of all believers. We ought to constantly be asking the question, "What am I building for God, and how am I prepared to defend it?"
God's Work Starts at Home
Before we can think of changing a nation, we need to be working for reformation in our own lives, families, and homes. Start with your own household and promote the worship of God there. This will inevitably overflow into your church and community. It's good to promote change from the top down (like in a national election), but just as important is working for change from the bottom-up.
Pray, Pray, Pray
Like Nehemiah and Daniel, get comfortable on your knees before the Lord. Pray concentrically, starting with yourself and moving out to your family, church, community, county, state, and nation. Prayer ought to become reflexive for God's people, whether to praise, petition, or confess.
Recent
Archive
2024
No Comments