Stewarding Our Citizenship & Government

In this series of teaching on stewardship, John Cole revised and taught from a published course made available without copyright by local church pastors shared for churches like ours. Read the handout notes here...

SCRIPTURAL RESPONSIBILITY

Romans 12:1–2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:17–21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13:1–7 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Christians are to submit to God-ordained authorities while also living God-prescribed morality.

For both peace and conscience sake. 

Romans 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

For both peace and the salvation of sinners. 

1 Timothy 2:1–6 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

For both blessing and the salvation of sinners from all nations to the praise of God . 

Psalm 67 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song. 1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; And cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. 2 That thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. 3 Let the people praise thee, O God; Let all the people praise thee. 4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: For thou shalt judge the people righteously, And govern the nations upon earth. Selah. 5 Let the people praise thee, O God; Let all the people praise thee. 6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; And God, even our own God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE

Each of the examples we will look at today fulfill the following: 

1.They trust God’s providential rule.

2.They represent God’s Word to the present government authorities.

3.They live distinct from the ungodly ways of unbelievers. 

Examples

•Joseph—God ordained the evil of Joseph’s brothers and the power of Egypt to be used to preserve His promises to Abraham.

•Moses—God ordained for Moses to give witness to God’s demands of Egypt and God’s redemption of Israel. 

•David—God ordained for David to replace Saul after first being hunted by him.

•Israel in Exile—God ordained for Israel to receive cursing and punishment at the hand of other nations for their disobedience. God even called those ungodly rulers “His servants” because they were fulfilling what Israel needed at that time. To resist those rulers was to resist God’s just judgment.

•Daniel—God ordained for Daniel to give witness of God and His message to the rulers of enemy nations while doing them good and submitting to their rule.

•Nehemiah—God ordained for Nehemiah to be highly trusted by a king of Persia and then to request permission and resources to help returned exiles of Israel re-build their wall.

•Jesus—God ordained for Jesus to temporarily minister under the rule of the Sanhedrin and Rome, to willingly die at their hands, and then to rise exalted over them.

•The church—Jesus established and authorized the church to follow His lead in representing the kingdom of God powerfully and peacefully among all governments so that people from all nations will be converted to Christ and exalted over their enemies by the Gospel. 

FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES

As we maintain a distinction between God and country, we have a more pure and potent Christian testimony and message to give.

We pray, preach, and live with desire for the ungodly to be converted , and for the converted to live godly .

Anything different than this is moralism that leads to tribalism and gives witness to a false gospel .

Therefore, we must not deceive the unconverted by leading them to think a moralistic framework of government equates to Christianity. 

True Christian morals are produced by conversion of the heart—not the other way around. 

Instead, God’s people should first give witness to God’s Gospel and second to the fruits of the received Gospel—which is Christlikeness.

Gospel —> Church —> Everything, including government

This demands we distinguish between Christianity and the morals that come from it.

That maintains the clarity necessary both to call sinners within all parties of government to repentance and faith in the Gospel and to steward our influence of government with the righteousness that comes from faith in the Gospel.

WISE APPLICATION

1) Wisely live as a Christian and as a good citizen both privately and publically.

2) Trust God’s providence enough to vote from the options God gives and according to your Scripture-shaped conscience.

3) If God has gifted you with the desire, abilities, and resources to influence, impliment, or run for government office , do it to the glory of God and to the advancement of His Gospel!

4) If God grants you opportunities to speak up about either righteous morals that come from the Gospel or the call of the Gospel, prayerfully do it!

5) If you have a political party, figure, or government you believe to be good for us, be specific as to why and be careful not to “ Christianize ” them. 

6) Hold people in government accountable to their word , the expectation of their office, and the righteous morals of Scripture.

7) If people in government profess to be Christian, lovingly and truthfully hold them accountable to what we would expect of every Christian .

8) If they do not profess or show evidence of being a Christian, pray for them to repent and believe the Gospel.

9) Give first priority to being a witness of Christ as the risen King , and expect your witness of Christ to rule how you engage the realm of government .

10) Remember all these can be done without contradiction .

Mark 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.