One
of the things that is most striking in American politics is that a prospective
civil servant has to have a religious ideology. Since it requires significant
funding to organize a campaign and to get your message out to the voting
public, the resources marshaled by the faithful are of significant value. This
support however, doesn’t come without a price. The issues that will be advocated
by a particular official carry with it, the religious ideology and legislative
agenda from constituents desiring to implement their brand of morality and family
values on the rest of society. The thing is, though, are the followers of Jesus
Christ to be so invested with the ways of the world. Let’s see what the Bible
has to say about this matter.
John
17: 6a, 9a, 14-16
I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. I pray for them. I am not
praying for the world. I have given them your word and the
world has hated them, for
they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My
prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them
from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
NOTE: Jesus said
that He was not praying for the world and emphasizes twice that His disciples
are “not of this world.”
John
18: 36a
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.
1 John 2: 15-16
Do not love the world
or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from
the world.
NOTE: Not only is this an admonition not to become attached to
the world but Satan is called the god of this world (Cp. John 16: 11a; 2 Corinthians 4: 4), and the ways of the world are
under the influence of Satan (Cp. Ephesians
2: 2). Since this is the case, why would or should a person of faith think
that their involvement in the human government of this Age is going to make a
difference, or for that matter, is pleasing to God? There is a good principle
of “separateness” found in 2 Corinthians 6: 17. Besides, according to 1
Corinthians 6: 1a, 2a, believers will judge the world as well as angels, so why
not be content to wait for God’s government to be inaugurated when Jesus
returns?
Let’s take a step back
and look at things from a Constitutional perspective. The last sentence in Article
VI says: “but no religious Test shall ever be
required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United
States.” The First Amendment which stipulates government ‘neutrality’ in
matters of religion, prohibits as a practical matter of governance, any
entanglement between elected officials and religious groups, organizations,
affiliates or PAC’s representing a particular religious ideology. This also means
that someone who is a person of faith taking an oath to obey the U.S. Constitution
cannot exercise the duties of their elected or appointed office, authority
invested in them to endorse or enact public policy resulting from a religious
motivation or agenda; which offends the Constitution.
CONCLUSION: So, how
are believers to conduct themselves in this present world system? I mentioned
earlier about the notion of being “separate” from the world [in a sense]
because its form is passing away (Cp. 1
Corinthians 7: 31), and to reiterate, Jesus said that He and His followers
were “not of this world.” I think perhaps Jehovah’s Witnesses have the right
idea; at least, in principle. So, what are we supposed to do? Some helpful
guidelines are found below in the following:
Romans 13: 1-8a
Let everyone be subject
to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which
God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by
God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling
against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment
on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right; but for those
who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do
what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for
your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for
no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not
only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This
is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who
give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if
revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let
no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.
Titus 2: 12
. . . teaching us,
that denying the impiety and the worldly desires, soberly and righteously and
piously we may live in the present age, Young’s Literal Translation.
Robert
Randle
776
Commerce St Apt 701
Tacoma,
WA
August
16, 2017
