7/6/13- Church and Civil Government Part II

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
(1 Peter 2:13-17)

2. It is lawful for Christians to hold public office when called to it. In such office they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth. For that purpose they may now, under the new testament, lawfully wage war upon just and necessary occasion.

Thoughts: "For the Lord's sake" or for the glory or name or honor of God, we are called to submit to those over us.  Calvin said it was part of the commandment to "Honor your father and your mother."
     Perhaps one of the real differences between the Old Testament and the New is that Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21 KJV).  When the people came to make Jesus a king after he fed the 5,000 he refused (John 6:15).  He told Pilate that he was already a king but not of this world.  So the people did not equate the survival of faith with the survival of the physical kingdom of Israel.  Perhaps the exile and dispersia taught them that.  But, that does not mean that believers in Christ should not be good citizens and vote, hold office, and debate about what is best for society.
    Richard Niebuhr has a great tiny book, "Christ and Culture" in which he argues that there are those against culture, those for culture, and those who seek to transform culture.  There are perhaps times when Christians are called to different views- but in general believers in Christ are called by Christ to be salt and light- transforming culture into a more righteous image- making earth more like heaven.  So believers are called to be in political office maintaining their own faith, and working for peace and justice in the world.  Protection of people from physical harm, and from oppression by unfairness, criminality and war (or terror) are important roles of the government.  But ultimate peace is not from any government but from God working within us.  If all had peace and love within- there would be more peace without.  

Prayer: Help me Lord to see that it is with deeds of love and mercy that the heavenly kingdom comes.  Bring peace to my heart and peace to our nation and world. 

(William Wilberforce- Christian English politician who worked hard to abolish the slave trade in England. Wilberfoce also worked for the suppression of vice, for the suppression of cruelty to animals, and to promote the spread of the Gospel around the world.  Here pictured 1794 by Karl Anton Hickel)