| The CROWN of CHRIST - Understanding the Times in the Light of Scripture |
| POLITICS - The civil governments of every nation should submit to King Jesus. |
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| POLITICIANS & PASTORS Are God’s Servants |
The Hebrew prophet Zechariah described two
“sons of oil” who stand with the True God.
(Zechariah 4:4) He was referring to the
politician Zerubbabel and the pastor Joshua,
who led the Israelites out of Babylon . Both of
these men were “anointed ones” because oil had
been poured on their heads to set them apart.
They were God’s chosen leaders of the State and
the Church.
Has God’s will changed? Does He now intend for
unbelievers and atheists to rule the nations?
Many modern people ~ even the Christians ~
claim that idol-worshippers and pagans have a
God-given “freedom of conscience” to practice
and preach any lie as long as they sincerely
believe it. Would it actually be wrong for Bible-
believing men, anointed by God the Holy Spirit,
to enforce God’s rules regarding government and
religion?
“sons of oil” who stand with the True God.
(Zechariah 4:4) He was referring to the
politician Zerubbabel and the pastor Joshua,
who led the Israelites out of Babylon . Both of
these men were “anointed ones” because oil had
been poured on their heads to set them apart.
They were God’s chosen leaders of the State and
the Church.
Has God’s will changed? Does He now intend for
unbelievers and atheists to rule the nations?
Many modern people ~ even the Christians ~
claim that idol-worshippers and pagans have a
God-given “freedom of conscience” to practice
and preach any lie as long as they sincerely
believe it. Would it actually be wrong for Bible-
believing men, anointed by God the Holy Spirit,
to enforce God’s rules regarding government and
religion?
BIBLICAL POWER
The Bible gives us clear principles about both civil and church government. God is the all-powerful Creator
and Ruler of the whole universe. (Genesis 17:12, Daniel 4:35, Revelation 19:6) Any power that men have is a
gift from God, so all human power should be used to honor Him. (Deuteronomy 12:32 , Acts 17:28, 1
Corinthians 10:31)
The greatest power that God ever gave to a Man was the universal kingdom that He gave to Jesus of
Nazareth. Jesus is completely divine and completely human. As a real man, He could take power from God.
As true God, He is infinite and can have all power. (Matthew 28:18) This is why King Jesus can be the Master
and Judge of all creation. (John 5:22 , 1 Corinthians 15:27)
Two important human authorities are politicians, who rule civil society, and pastors, who lead the Church.
Like everything else in the universe, the State and the Church have been put under that Savior’s control.
But there is a difference. The Church is a building that Jesus puts together from scratch. (Matthew 16:18 &
19) But the State is a creation of God the Trinity, who gives organization to angels and nations. (Jeremiah 10:
7, Colossians 1:16)
POLITICIANS vs. PASTORS
Politicians, who get their power generically from the Creator, should follow the natural law that God has put
in every man’s heart. (Psalm 47:7, Jeremiah 10:7) Of course, this law of nature commands us to obey
anything God tells us to do. Wise politicians will follow the Bible’s teachings about political matters.
Pastors, however, get all of their authority and rules straight from the Bible. (Ephesians 1:22 & 23)
Politicians are earthly rulers who can use force to compel us to serve the common good. (2 Chronicles 26:16-
20, Romans 13:1-4) But pastors are spiritual servants who use only persuasion to help us understand and obey
God. (2 Corinthians 5:12 &13, 10:4, Ephesians 4:11 & 12, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:3)
What good are politicians and pastors? Politicians mainly keep us safe from crime, unrest and foreign
enemies. (Romans 13:3) Pastors mainly help our souls. (John 18:36) Of course, a stable civil government is
good for the Church, and a healthy Church builds good citizens for the State.
Politicians are chosen by society. We might choose to have one king, several aristocrats, or a republic. The
form is not important, as long as we fear and obey God. Political rulers can even delegate power to men
under them, because the State is “an ordinance of man”. (1 Peter 2:13 & 14) But pastors get their authority
from Christ through an assembly of existing pastors. Any one pastor can preach the gospel, but it takes
several pastors to ordain a new pastor. Jesus is the only King of the Church, so the Pope of Rome and the
Archbishop of Canterbury are imposters. (Matthew 16:19 with Titus 1:5, 2 Corinthians 2:6)
Politicians have authority over everyone who lives within their borders; but pastors only rule those who are
church members. (Romans 13:1, 1 Corinthians 5:12 & 13) It is important to remember that the State and the
Church do not get their authority from each other. If the politicians disobey God and refuse to enforce
Biblical law, the Church should continue to preach the truth and excommunicate sinful members. And if the
pastors relax discipline or preach lies, God still expects the politicians to fear Him and rule biblically.
POLITICIANS & PASTORS
Politicians and pastors have a lot in common. To begin with, they both get their power from God. Only an
atheist would claim that any power can exist apart from God. (Romans 13:1, 2 Corinthians 5:18) Both
politicians and pastors should obey the Savior, who is King of everything. (Psalm 2:10 -12, Matthew 28:18,
John 5:22,27, Ephesians 1:21-23) God expects the State as well as the Church to study and follow His laws,
which are found in the Bible. (Deuteronomy 17:18 , Malachi 2:7, Matthew 28:20, Romans 2:12)
The politicians and pastors even have similar government structures. The Church should have local elder
boards, regional presbyteries and even broader synods. (Matthew 18:15,18, Acts 8:1, 13:1, 1 Timothy 4:14,
Acts chapters 15 & 16) The State also needs such jurisdictions as municipalities, counties, states and federal
authorities.
Politicians and pastors both deserve our respect and honor as God’s appointed leaders. (Proverb 24:21,
Romans 13:7, 1 Timothy 5:17) But leaders ought to be respectable and worthy of honor! They should bring
glory to God. (Isaiah 61:1,4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
POLITICIANS outside the CHURCH
Politicians have no business ruling inside the Church. They should not try to tell the pastors and other
members which creed to hold, which Psalter to song from, who to call as a pastor, etc. (Isaiah 8:20 , Matthew
23:10) But godly politicians should use their power around the Church. Christian officials can’t behave like
atheists as soon as they walk into a State building! (Romans 13:4)
In the Old Testament, we find that King Ussiah was out of line when he took upon himself the work of a
priest. But Kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah were right to use their power to promote the
reformation of the church. Politicians should defend and protect the true Church. God does not want them
to protect false churches, cults or pagan groups. (Isaiah 49:23, 60:10,16) Godly politicians would help the
Church by destroying idols and suppressing sexual immorality. (Deuteronomy 13:5, 18:20 , 1 Kings 15:11-22, 2
Kings 10:25,30, 2 Chronicles 14:2 & 3, Zechariah 13:3, Revelation 17:16)
Political leaders should silence false teachers and command the pastors of the true Church to do their duty.
(2 Chronicles 12:13, chapter 13, 29:5) They should beware of punishing citizens for things that God does not
condemn. (Deuteronomy 17:18) The State can even call synods and tell the pastors to resolve theological
problems that trouble the nation. The Emperor Constantine called the first Nicene Council, which clarified
the Deity of Christ.
Politicians should enforce all ten of God’s commandments, not just the six through ten, which protect human
rights. God has rights that are even more important, and civil leaders should re-criminalize idol-worship,
blasphemy and the breaking of the first day Sabbath. (Leviticus 24:15 & 16, Deuteronomy 13:1-6, 2
Chronicles chapter 34, Ezra 7:23 , Nehemiah 13:15-19, Psalm 122:4, Hebrews 10:28 & 29)
Finally, politicians should examine the decisions of Church councils, and ratify them if they are indeed
scriptural. (Isaiah 8:20 , 1 Thessalonians 5:21)
GODLY POLITICIANS
What sort of politicians do we need if our nation is to serve God? They must be wise and honest men who will
focus on their duties. (Exodus 18:21 , Deuteronomy 1:13, 2 Samuel 23:2 & 3, Isaiah 33:6, Romans 13:6) They
must be real Christians who will use their power to punish evil and promote goodness. (Deuteronomy 17:15,
Judges 9:14, Psalm 72:7, 1 Peter 2:14) And they must be willing to enforce all of God’s laws. (Deuteronomy
17:18 & 19)
The TRUE CHURCH
What sort of Church deserves to be protected by a Christian State? It must be a biblical Church with
Presbyterian government that stands up for the truth. (Hebrews 8:5, 1 Timothy 4:14, 6:20,
2 Timothy 3:16 & 17, Jude 3) The world deserves an honest and clear statement of God’s positions on truth
and morality.
The Church must also be fair, willing to correct all people equally. (1 Timothy 5:20 & 21, 6:17) It must have
pure worship based on the Bible, not on the creativity and traditions of men. (Matthew 15:9, 1 Timothy 4:16,
Revelation 22:18 & 19) And the pastors must be both highly educated and deeply spiritual. Ignorant pastors
won’t be able to confront false teachings; worldly pastors will certainly shame and mislead God’s people.
(Deuteronomy 33:8, Malachi 2:6, Matthew 23:15, 1 Timothy 1:7, 3:7, Titus 1:9)
GODLY CITIZENSHIP
Christians should be the best citizens. If the State obeys God, Christians will submit to it gladly. (Titus 3:1, 1
Peter 2:13,17) Christians will pay taxes to godly rulers, pray for the success of their plans, and be careful to
live quiet lives as peaceful citizens. (Exodus 22:28, Romans 13:2, 6 & 7, 1 Timothy 2:1 & 2, 1 Peter 2:17,
Jude 8)
If politicians fear God and follow the Bible, Christians will support them with their money and even their very
lives. It is clearly biblical to fight wars to defend one’s nation in a just cause.
Christians obey a Christian State “not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake”. (Romans 13:5)
This means that we don’t obey only because we are afraid of the police, the judge and the jail. We can
agree with Christian rulers, and fully support them from the heart. But can we pretend that godless
politicians deserve such whole-hearted, conscientious support?
CHRISTIAN DISSENT
For many reasons, Bible-believing Christians should not support the government of these United States whole-
heartedly.
The U.S. Constitution doesn’t even mention that God exists and is the Source of all power. It says instead
that our politicians are to serve men (“We the people”) rather than to glorify God. (Psalm 14:1, Proverb 3:5,
Hosea 8:4)
Our Federal and State constitutions all contain the wicked principle of religious pluralism. Americans are
taught to be proud that our country is a safe haven for every kind of false teaching. They speak as if God
gives people a fundamental right to disobey God! (Deuteronomy 12:32 , 17:18)
Our political leaders are secular, and that means “godless” because they use their power to protect false
teachers, blasphemers and idol-worshippers.
Can a person’s “conscience” make evil things good? If God says it is wrong but I feel o.k. about it, do my
feelings override the Bible? Certainly not! Yet even the “pastors” these days teach this silly lie. They say
that the God of the Bible wants us to be free to ignore His Word and rebel against Him. So our politicians
give as much support to Papists, cults and pagans as they give to the true Church. Is this how God wants
politicians to nourish His people? (Isaiah 49:23 & 24)
Our politicians are sworn, by their oaths to the federal and State constitutions, to neglect the first four
commandments and to protect all who break them. Even atheists are allowed to serve in our government.
How can atheists lead our nation in obedience to God? (Jeremiah 10:7)
We must also look at American history. In 1797, our leaders signed the Treaty with Tripoli , which says that
“The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. It
has, in itself, no character of enmity against the laws or religion of Musselmen.” That means Moslems are
welcome here.
The United States has a long history of ungodliness. We were founded with unbiblical slavery and pluralism.
We have gone on to allow groundless divorce, sodomy and abortion. Today, our government actually
punishes godliness while praising evil. For just one example, they support the murder of unborn babies with
our taxes, but want to criminalize spanking. In such twisted days, Christians must obey God rather than men.
(Acts 5:29)
Most significantly, all of the historically British nations have broken faith with God by turning away from the
Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. This was a promise that both Church and State made to God. England
, Scotland and Ireland swore to be Christian nations, then broke their promise. Our neglect of our
forefathers’ obligations does not free us from biblical commitments to God. (Joshua 9:15 with 2 Samuel 21:1-
9, 2 Kings 11:17, Galatians 3:15)
We love the United States . It is the land of our birth, and we know of no better place to live on earth
today. But we cannot approve of our nation’s rebellion against God.
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
How should we behave in such a godless land? We should weep about our nation’s sins, pray for our
neighbors to repent, and try to persuade them to reconsider the Bible’s teachings. (1 Kings 12:3 & 4, Isaiah
58:1, Jeremiah 29:7, Ezekiel 9:4, 33:1-9, 1 Timothy 2:1)
However, we must be careful not to do anything that would mean with agree with the State’s godless
authority. (Psalm 50:18) We cannot swear to uphold godless constitutions, so we can’t vote for other men to
take such a lawless oath. We cannot serve as jurors or judges, since that would involve promising to apply
American laws and ignore God’s law.
Christians must obey as much as possible, but resist if required. We wait patiently for God to send
reformation when He so chooses. (Lamentations 3:6, Hebrews 11:25 & 26)
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED
1. All power is from God, so we should obey non-Christian politicians the same way as Christian rulers.
We must never confuse God’s secret plans with His law revealed in the Bible. God gave the Romans and
Jews power to kill Jesus because it was part of His salvation plan. But those who murdered Jesus had no real
right to do so. If God uses evil rulers like Pharaoh, Herod, Nero and Hitler to further His providence, their
evil deeds are still evil.
2. Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel all held office under heathen rulers, so we should too.
Such godly men never swore oaths to an evil constitution. They served at the whim of tyrants who had no
written constitution. When commanded to worship idols or stop praying, they conscientiously disobeyed.
We can serve tyrants that way, but not promise to defend evil right up front!
3. The Apostle Paul used his Roman citizenship to appeal to Caesar, recognizing the full authority of Rome .
This is incorrect, because one can appeal to a power without recognizing its authority. If a murderer breaks
into my house and attacks me ~ then a less violent thief sees the door open and sneaks in ~ can’t I ask the
thief to help me fend off the murderer? If I ask for help, it is not because I recognize the thief’s right to
enter my home!
4. Jesus told us to give Caesar what belong to Caesar, so we should always obey every government.
Our hearts and minds belong to God, not to the State. Jesus was answering evil enemies who wanted to
trick Him. He meant that we must pay their taxes is we use their money.
5. A majority of Americans want pluralism and secularism; a Christian minority has no say.
The Bible, not the dictatorship of the 51%, is the Voice of God!!! (Exodus 23:2, Hosea 8:4)
6. We should not punish idol-worship, Sabbath-breaking or heresy because we are in the “New Testament”
now.
The Old Testament ceremonies were abolished because they were only symbols of Christ and His salvation.
Criminal laws are civil and political rules, not prophecies about Jesus, so they still can be applied. Moses
punished murder and theft. Must we legalize them now?
7. Christian government would “persecute” non-Christians.
Following God’s Law can never be persecution. And dieing for heresy is never martyrdom. Is it persecution
for God to send unbelievers to hell? No government can read anyone’s thoughts and punish their beliefs.
But we should smash their idols and make them close their stores on the Lord’s Day.
8. We should elect Christian politicians who will change the system.
It is the sin of dishonesty to swear loyalty to the system if you secretly plan to change it!
CONCLUSION
We have seen that Jesus is the King of everything. Two vital authorities He endorces are politicians and
pastors, both of which should obey God. Have we done everything possible to glorify God in all that we do?
Let us study to please Him, and pray that He will send us pastors and politicians who will fear Him and
enforce His laws.
A fuller treatment of this subject can be found in The Two Sons of Oil, by Pastor Samuel B. Wylie,
from which this updated summary was prepared.
The Bible gives us clear principles about both civil and church government. God is the all-powerful Creator
and Ruler of the whole universe. (Genesis 17:12, Daniel 4:35, Revelation 19:6) Any power that men have is a
gift from God, so all human power should be used to honor Him. (Deuteronomy 12:32 , Acts 17:28, 1
Corinthians 10:31)
The greatest power that God ever gave to a Man was the universal kingdom that He gave to Jesus of
Nazareth. Jesus is completely divine and completely human. As a real man, He could take power from God.
As true God, He is infinite and can have all power. (Matthew 28:18) This is why King Jesus can be the Master
and Judge of all creation. (John 5:22 , 1 Corinthians 15:27)
Two important human authorities are politicians, who rule civil society, and pastors, who lead the Church.
Like everything else in the universe, the State and the Church have been put under that Savior’s control.
But there is a difference. The Church is a building that Jesus puts together from scratch. (Matthew 16:18 &
19) But the State is a creation of God the Trinity, who gives organization to angels and nations. (Jeremiah 10:
7, Colossians 1:16)
POLITICIANS vs. PASTORS
Politicians, who get their power generically from the Creator, should follow the natural law that God has put
in every man’s heart. (Psalm 47:7, Jeremiah 10:7) Of course, this law of nature commands us to obey
anything God tells us to do. Wise politicians will follow the Bible’s teachings about political matters.
Pastors, however, get all of their authority and rules straight from the Bible. (Ephesians 1:22 & 23)
Politicians are earthly rulers who can use force to compel us to serve the common good. (2 Chronicles 26:16-
20, Romans 13:1-4) But pastors are spiritual servants who use only persuasion to help us understand and obey
God. (2 Corinthians 5:12 &13, 10:4, Ephesians 4:11 & 12, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:3)
What good are politicians and pastors? Politicians mainly keep us safe from crime, unrest and foreign
enemies. (Romans 13:3) Pastors mainly help our souls. (John 18:36) Of course, a stable civil government is
good for the Church, and a healthy Church builds good citizens for the State.
Politicians are chosen by society. We might choose to have one king, several aristocrats, or a republic. The
form is not important, as long as we fear and obey God. Political rulers can even delegate power to men
under them, because the State is “an ordinance of man”. (1 Peter 2:13 & 14) But pastors get their authority
from Christ through an assembly of existing pastors. Any one pastor can preach the gospel, but it takes
several pastors to ordain a new pastor. Jesus is the only King of the Church, so the Pope of Rome and the
Archbishop of Canterbury are imposters. (Matthew 16:19 with Titus 1:5, 2 Corinthians 2:6)
Politicians have authority over everyone who lives within their borders; but pastors only rule those who are
church members. (Romans 13:1, 1 Corinthians 5:12 & 13) It is important to remember that the State and the
Church do not get their authority from each other. If the politicians disobey God and refuse to enforce
Biblical law, the Church should continue to preach the truth and excommunicate sinful members. And if the
pastors relax discipline or preach lies, God still expects the politicians to fear Him and rule biblically.
POLITICIANS & PASTORS
Politicians and pastors have a lot in common. To begin with, they both get their power from God. Only an
atheist would claim that any power can exist apart from God. (Romans 13:1, 2 Corinthians 5:18) Both
politicians and pastors should obey the Savior, who is King of everything. (Psalm 2:10 -12, Matthew 28:18,
John 5:22,27, Ephesians 1:21-23) God expects the State as well as the Church to study and follow His laws,
which are found in the Bible. (Deuteronomy 17:18 , Malachi 2:7, Matthew 28:20, Romans 2:12)
The politicians and pastors even have similar government structures. The Church should have local elder
boards, regional presbyteries and even broader synods. (Matthew 18:15,18, Acts 8:1, 13:1, 1 Timothy 4:14,
Acts chapters 15 & 16) The State also needs such jurisdictions as municipalities, counties, states and federal
authorities.
Politicians and pastors both deserve our respect and honor as God’s appointed leaders. (Proverb 24:21,
Romans 13:7, 1 Timothy 5:17) But leaders ought to be respectable and worthy of honor! They should bring
glory to God. (Isaiah 61:1,4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
POLITICIANS outside the CHURCH
Politicians have no business ruling inside the Church. They should not try to tell the pastors and other
members which creed to hold, which Psalter to song from, who to call as a pastor, etc. (Isaiah 8:20 , Matthew
23:10) But godly politicians should use their power around the Church. Christian officials can’t behave like
atheists as soon as they walk into a State building! (Romans 13:4)
In the Old Testament, we find that King Ussiah was out of line when he took upon himself the work of a
priest. But Kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah were right to use their power to promote the
reformation of the church. Politicians should defend and protect the true Church. God does not want them
to protect false churches, cults or pagan groups. (Isaiah 49:23, 60:10,16) Godly politicians would help the
Church by destroying idols and suppressing sexual immorality. (Deuteronomy 13:5, 18:20 , 1 Kings 15:11-22, 2
Kings 10:25,30, 2 Chronicles 14:2 & 3, Zechariah 13:3, Revelation 17:16)
Political leaders should silence false teachers and command the pastors of the true Church to do their duty.
(2 Chronicles 12:13, chapter 13, 29:5) They should beware of punishing citizens for things that God does not
condemn. (Deuteronomy 17:18) The State can even call synods and tell the pastors to resolve theological
problems that trouble the nation. The Emperor Constantine called the first Nicene Council, which clarified
the Deity of Christ.
Politicians should enforce all ten of God’s commandments, not just the six through ten, which protect human
rights. God has rights that are even more important, and civil leaders should re-criminalize idol-worship,
blasphemy and the breaking of the first day Sabbath. (Leviticus 24:15 & 16, Deuteronomy 13:1-6, 2
Chronicles chapter 34, Ezra 7:23 , Nehemiah 13:15-19, Psalm 122:4, Hebrews 10:28 & 29)
Finally, politicians should examine the decisions of Church councils, and ratify them if they are indeed
scriptural. (Isaiah 8:20 , 1 Thessalonians 5:21)
GODLY POLITICIANS
What sort of politicians do we need if our nation is to serve God? They must be wise and honest men who will
focus on their duties. (Exodus 18:21 , Deuteronomy 1:13, 2 Samuel 23:2 & 3, Isaiah 33:6, Romans 13:6) They
must be real Christians who will use their power to punish evil and promote goodness. (Deuteronomy 17:15,
Judges 9:14, Psalm 72:7, 1 Peter 2:14) And they must be willing to enforce all of God’s laws. (Deuteronomy
17:18 & 19)
The TRUE CHURCH
What sort of Church deserves to be protected by a Christian State? It must be a biblical Church with
Presbyterian government that stands up for the truth. (Hebrews 8:5, 1 Timothy 4:14, 6:20,
2 Timothy 3:16 & 17, Jude 3) The world deserves an honest and clear statement of God’s positions on truth
and morality.
The Church must also be fair, willing to correct all people equally. (1 Timothy 5:20 & 21, 6:17) It must have
pure worship based on the Bible, not on the creativity and traditions of men. (Matthew 15:9, 1 Timothy 4:16,
Revelation 22:18 & 19) And the pastors must be both highly educated and deeply spiritual. Ignorant pastors
won’t be able to confront false teachings; worldly pastors will certainly shame and mislead God’s people.
(Deuteronomy 33:8, Malachi 2:6, Matthew 23:15, 1 Timothy 1:7, 3:7, Titus 1:9)
GODLY CITIZENSHIP
Christians should be the best citizens. If the State obeys God, Christians will submit to it gladly. (Titus 3:1, 1
Peter 2:13,17) Christians will pay taxes to godly rulers, pray for the success of their plans, and be careful to
live quiet lives as peaceful citizens. (Exodus 22:28, Romans 13:2, 6 & 7, 1 Timothy 2:1 & 2, 1 Peter 2:17,
Jude 8)
If politicians fear God and follow the Bible, Christians will support them with their money and even their very
lives. It is clearly biblical to fight wars to defend one’s nation in a just cause.
Christians obey a Christian State “not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake”. (Romans 13:5)
This means that we don’t obey only because we are afraid of the police, the judge and the jail. We can
agree with Christian rulers, and fully support them from the heart. But can we pretend that godless
politicians deserve such whole-hearted, conscientious support?
CHRISTIAN DISSENT
For many reasons, Bible-believing Christians should not support the government of these United States whole-
heartedly.
The U.S. Constitution doesn’t even mention that God exists and is the Source of all power. It says instead
that our politicians are to serve men (“We the people”) rather than to glorify God. (Psalm 14:1, Proverb 3:5,
Hosea 8:4)
Our Federal and State constitutions all contain the wicked principle of religious pluralism. Americans are
taught to be proud that our country is a safe haven for every kind of false teaching. They speak as if God
gives people a fundamental right to disobey God! (Deuteronomy 12:32 , 17:18)
Our political leaders are secular, and that means “godless” because they use their power to protect false
teachers, blasphemers and idol-worshippers.
Can a person’s “conscience” make evil things good? If God says it is wrong but I feel o.k. about it, do my
feelings override the Bible? Certainly not! Yet even the “pastors” these days teach this silly lie. They say
that the God of the Bible wants us to be free to ignore His Word and rebel against Him. So our politicians
give as much support to Papists, cults and pagans as they give to the true Church. Is this how God wants
politicians to nourish His people? (Isaiah 49:23 & 24)
Our politicians are sworn, by their oaths to the federal and State constitutions, to neglect the first four
commandments and to protect all who break them. Even atheists are allowed to serve in our government.
How can atheists lead our nation in obedience to God? (Jeremiah 10:7)
We must also look at American history. In 1797, our leaders signed the Treaty with Tripoli , which says that
“The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. It
has, in itself, no character of enmity against the laws or religion of Musselmen.” That means Moslems are
welcome here.
The United States has a long history of ungodliness. We were founded with unbiblical slavery and pluralism.
We have gone on to allow groundless divorce, sodomy and abortion. Today, our government actually
punishes godliness while praising evil. For just one example, they support the murder of unborn babies with
our taxes, but want to criminalize spanking. In such twisted days, Christians must obey God rather than men.
(Acts 5:29)
Most significantly, all of the historically British nations have broken faith with God by turning away from the
Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. This was a promise that both Church and State made to God. England
, Scotland and Ireland swore to be Christian nations, then broke their promise. Our neglect of our
forefathers’ obligations does not free us from biblical commitments to God. (Joshua 9:15 with 2 Samuel 21:1-
9, 2 Kings 11:17, Galatians 3:15)
We love the United States . It is the land of our birth, and we know of no better place to live on earth
today. But we cannot approve of our nation’s rebellion against God.
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
How should we behave in such a godless land? We should weep about our nation’s sins, pray for our
neighbors to repent, and try to persuade them to reconsider the Bible’s teachings. (1 Kings 12:3 & 4, Isaiah
58:1, Jeremiah 29:7, Ezekiel 9:4, 33:1-9, 1 Timothy 2:1)
However, we must be careful not to do anything that would mean with agree with the State’s godless
authority. (Psalm 50:18) We cannot swear to uphold godless constitutions, so we can’t vote for other men to
take such a lawless oath. We cannot serve as jurors or judges, since that would involve promising to apply
American laws and ignore God’s law.
Christians must obey as much as possible, but resist if required. We wait patiently for God to send
reformation when He so chooses. (Lamentations 3:6, Hebrews 11:25 & 26)
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED
1. All power is from God, so we should obey non-Christian politicians the same way as Christian rulers.
We must never confuse God’s secret plans with His law revealed in the Bible. God gave the Romans and
Jews power to kill Jesus because it was part of His salvation plan. But those who murdered Jesus had no real
right to do so. If God uses evil rulers like Pharaoh, Herod, Nero and Hitler to further His providence, their
evil deeds are still evil.
2. Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel all held office under heathen rulers, so we should too.
Such godly men never swore oaths to an evil constitution. They served at the whim of tyrants who had no
written constitution. When commanded to worship idols or stop praying, they conscientiously disobeyed.
We can serve tyrants that way, but not promise to defend evil right up front!
3. The Apostle Paul used his Roman citizenship to appeal to Caesar, recognizing the full authority of Rome .
This is incorrect, because one can appeal to a power without recognizing its authority. If a murderer breaks
into my house and attacks me ~ then a less violent thief sees the door open and sneaks in ~ can’t I ask the
thief to help me fend off the murderer? If I ask for help, it is not because I recognize the thief’s right to
enter my home!
4. Jesus told us to give Caesar what belong to Caesar, so we should always obey every government.
Our hearts and minds belong to God, not to the State. Jesus was answering evil enemies who wanted to
trick Him. He meant that we must pay their taxes is we use their money.
5. A majority of Americans want pluralism and secularism; a Christian minority has no say.
The Bible, not the dictatorship of the 51%, is the Voice of God!!! (Exodus 23:2, Hosea 8:4)
6. We should not punish idol-worship, Sabbath-breaking or heresy because we are in the “New Testament”
now.
The Old Testament ceremonies were abolished because they were only symbols of Christ and His salvation.
Criminal laws are civil and political rules, not prophecies about Jesus, so they still can be applied. Moses
punished murder and theft. Must we legalize them now?
7. Christian government would “persecute” non-Christians.
Following God’s Law can never be persecution. And dieing for heresy is never martyrdom. Is it persecution
for God to send unbelievers to hell? No government can read anyone’s thoughts and punish their beliefs.
But we should smash their idols and make them close their stores on the Lord’s Day.
8. We should elect Christian politicians who will change the system.
It is the sin of dishonesty to swear loyalty to the system if you secretly plan to change it!
CONCLUSION
We have seen that Jesus is the King of everything. Two vital authorities He endorces are politicians and
pastors, both of which should obey God. Have we done everything possible to glorify God in all that we do?
Let us study to please Him, and pray that He will send us pastors and politicians who will fear Him and
enforce His laws.
A fuller treatment of this subject can be found in The Two Sons of Oil, by Pastor Samuel B. Wylie,
from which this updated summary was prepared.
| Republicrats love warfare; Democans love welfare. Neither of them love God, and we get to pay for their failed schemes. |