Politics can be a tricky thing to navigate within the family of Christ. There is no consensus on what a perfect government should look like, and Scripture does not lay out a blueprint for how to vote. Sometimes, it can be easier to withdraw completely from political discussions. Just as easily, we can become so invested in a political party or ideology that we sacrifice the peace and confidence offered to us in God’s promises of our heavenly home.
Should Christians care about politics? What does the Bible say about the role of governments? And how do we balance our citizenship in heaven with the life God has called us to live here on earth?
The Role of Governments
Although the Bible has nothing to say about American political parties, policies, or candidates, it does establish a basis for the institution of human governments. In Genesis 9, as Noah and his sons exit the ark and enter a world washed by floodwaters, God gives Noah instructions for living in this recreated world: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Gen. 9:6). This has historically been seen by the church as the foundation for the human administration of justice. Governments are valid earthly institutions, created and empowered by God to execute the justice and order that is reflected in God’s orderly world.
The apostle Paul affirms this in his letter to the Romans—to people living under a government that, at that time, had no affinity or friendliness toward Christianity. He writes, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom 13:1). Paul himself submits to this authority as he is held by Felix and Festus under accusations of the Jews, awaiting justice. He even appeals to Caesar, leading to his eventual journey to Rome (Acts 24–25).
And yet, sin corrupts this administration of justice. Not all leaders are gifted with wisdom, and certainly power is often tainted with greed, malice, self-interest, and godlessness. How are Christians to reconcile living under the authority of such governments?
Living in Caesar’s World
First, it should be noted that political involvement looks different today in the West than it has looked throughout much of the world for most of history. “Caring about politics” the way we often speak about it—participating in elections, writing to elected officials, or debating public issues—would not have been an option for those of lower socio-economic backgrounds, minority ethnicity or religious affiliation, and for most women.
It is in a context like this one—where citizens are taxed without representation, for example—that Jesus tells the Pharisees and their disciples that they are obligated to pay their state taxes. They come to him with a coin bearing Caesar’s image and he exhorts them to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (Matt. 22:15–22).
As Christians, then, we should ask two questions: what do we owe our governments, and what do we owe our God? The first question will look different depending on where in the world believers are living. Not everyone is given a say in how their government is run, and yet they still owe their obedience to whatever civil laws don’t contradict God’s moral laws. Citizens of the United States and other countries with representative governments have an added obligation of participating responsibly in the governing of their state.
If we owe Caesar our taxes because his image is on the coin, we might also consider that we are bearers of God’s image. As we seek to be responsible citizens of our earthly governments, how we behave as citizens makes a difference in our witness to our Christian identity. Paul writes to Titus to “remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1–2). This kind of living leaves Christians above reproach, even in the contentious arena of politics. And this is behavior that should be modeled by our pastors and church leaders, as this letter to Titus primarily addresses elders in the church. In Titus 2:7–8, he writes: “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”
Living in Caesar’s world requires wisdom, and there are many ways for Christians to do this in a way that does not contradict their conscience or the word of God. But as we carry out roles within the earthly institutions of government, we must not forget what we owe God as his image bearers.
Citizens of God’s Kingdom
Ultimately, our hope is not in this world, but in the age to come. The tensions, worries, and in some countries around the world, real dangers presented by corrupt governments are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us when Christ comes on the Last Day (Rom. 8:18–25). Whatever your earthly citizenship might be, your heavenly one is greater, lasting, and eternally secure. As Paul writes about friends of the Phillipian church who have become “enemies of the cross of Christ,” he encourages the saints, not with earthly promises but with the hope of their citizenship in the Kingdom of God: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Phil. 3:20–21).
In times when political tides turn against you, what a comfort it is to know that God is still in control of this world, that he subjects all things—even human governments—to himself (Prov. 21:1). What a comfort to know that our true home is laid up safely in eternity, “where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt. 6:20).
In light of our heavenly citizenship, Christians should be prepared to live as “sojourners and exiles” in this world (1 Pet. 2:11), and we should long for our heavenly home (2 Cor 5:1–9, Col. 3:1-4).
Believers can participate responsibly and reasonably in the institutions of this world without putting their final hope or confidence in them. Indeed, it is a great comfort that we need not look to the governments of this world for our preservation, that God has eternally secured his people, and one day he will take us home.
