The role and responsibility God has given to a national government is different from the responsibility God has given to Christians. Just as my hands have a different role and purpose than my feet do but they are part of the same body and work together. Government and Christians and Christians in government can and should work together, each functioning in their respective roles. Government should function within the law of this land, the Constitution. Christians should live and function as directed by the Bible.
The Bible gives us some insight into the purpose God has given to national governments in Romans 13:3-4. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
The authority of government is a “minister” of God for good to keep citizens safe from those who break the law and practice evil. This is government’s main purpose established by God. The forefathers of this nation created a government formed by the people and for the people, not all people everywhere, but those who are born here and those who immigrate lawfully. They also agreed with God and built into the Constitution that governments main role will be to provide for the safety and security of the citizens of the United States.
A section from the Declaration of Independence of the United States says; We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
The Preamble to the US Constitution says; We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The main responsibility of our government is to protect the citizens of this country. As Christians, our number one commandment is to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. We do this by living as Jesus did being led by the Holy Spirit in all we do and say. Government has a different role and different responsibilities than we as Christians do. We should not expect the government to do what we are called to do. No place in scripture does God tell a national government to turn the other cheek, love your neighbor as yourself or freely give to those who ask of you. Those things He has spoken to us as Christians.
Jesus taught us to pray that God’s will would be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We need to pray for our leaders that they will follow the Constitution, enact and uphold righteous laws that establishes a “more perfect union” where “justice”, “tranquility”, “a common defense” and the “blessing of liberty” exists for our people. We also need to vote and be involved in the political process to maintain the continuity between the directions we are given from Lord and the Constitution which is the supreme law of our land.
Concerning the current refugee crisis we are facing in the United States, the role of government is to first provide for the security of its citizens. Government should make all its decision and laws as directed by the Constitution. Our government has a responsibility to secure our borders and make sure they know who is coming into our country and living among us. No one would just open the door to their house and allow anyone to come in and live there. No responsible parent would allow adults they do not know to sleep in the same room with their children. This would not be a demonstration of love but foolishness. We also have a severe debt crisis that our government is responsible for and they should consider the cost of transporting, housing, feeding, educating, etc. without borrowing more money. Is it charitable or a demonstration of love to put one group of people further in debt so we can pay for another group of people?
Our Constitution determines the laws in this nation that should be upheld by our government if we truly desire for love and justice to prevail. Love makes hard choices and doesn’t always look as we may expect like when Jesus took a whip and cleansed the temple. Love has boundaries and doesn’t allow people to do whatever they like.
As Christians we are to pray for those who are suffering and displaced around the world. We can give finances and resources to ministries and agencies taking care of the physical needs of immigrants and those who are suffering. This is not the responsibility of our government nor is there a precedent in scripture for this. Love gives but it also provides and protects. Love gives but also requires wisdom.
Joe Nicola
My book can be purchased here: Ekklesia; The Government of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth
King's Gate 