THE CHRISTIAN AND THE STATE
Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).
It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates, to honor their persons, to pay them tribute or other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience’ sake (Westminster Confession Of Faith Chapter 23.4).
How is the follower of Jesus to relate to the civil government? When queried by His opponents about adherence to Roman authority, Jesus wisely stated that we should render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.
What should we render to Caesar? Paul tells Timothy we are to pray for kings and all in authority over us, that this is pleasing to God our Savior. When I prayed for our current president recently, a visitor to our church stormed out exclaiming, “I don’t pray for baby killers.” Paul tells us to honor the emperor, who was engaged in horrific persecution of God’s beloved.
We are to obey the state in all legitimate areas of their authority, speak well of those in authority over us and be grateful for all the ways civic authorities make our society work (clean water, roads, military, paramedics, airports, traffic lights, libraries, etc.). Government is not a necessary evil; it is a gift of God and we should repent for our lack of gratitude toward those who serve us in it.
What should we render to God? Our love, hope, trust, allegiance, passion and life. The highest ruling office in the universe is held by the King of kings and He alone should have our supreme devotion. Too many Americans are far more passionate about America and politics than about Jesus. Do not commit spiritual adultery; don’t make the United States your mistress; don’t forget your first love. Don’t fall for the illusion that getting the right people in office will fix what’s broken in our world. God’s people should live with the confident conviction that “This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.”
Prayer:
Father, I repent for my ingratitude toward our government, the government you have ordained. Help me to remember that the number one thing broken in this world is me.