Christians, the State, and the Kingdom of God
Summary
In Romans 13:1-7, Paul addresses the relationship between Christians and the state, emphasizing that all governing authorities are ordained by God. This passage is particularly relevant today as it explores the complex dynamics between the church and the state. Historically, the church has often struggled with traditionalism, where traditions become rigid laws, leading to bigotry and closed-mindedness. We must guard against this by remaining open to criticism and alternative perspectives.
The state, according to Paul, has a primarily negative function: to punish evildoers and reward those who do good. However, the lordship of Christ extends over all life, not just the church. This raises questions about the role of the state in transforming society. While some argue for a Christian organization of society, the New Testament teaches that the kingdom of God will not come gradually through societal transformation but will be established suddenly at Christ's second coming.
Christians are called to engage with the world, but we must distinguish between the church's role and the individual's role. The church's primary task is to preach the gospel and build up believers, while individual Christians are to live out their faith in all areas of life, influencing society with Christian principles. The church should lay down principles for politics, culture, and morality but should not engage directly in political activities or endorse specific policies.
In the realm of education, the state should not compel Christian teaching, nor should it promote atheism. The church can speak to cultural issues like art and music, pointing out what glorifies God and what does not. In moral matters, the church must challenge the idea that public opinion should dictate morality, emphasizing biblical standards instead.
Ultimately, while Christians can influence society, we must recognize that the state’s role is primarily to maintain order and restrain sin. The full realization of Christ's kingdom awaits His return, when He will establish His eternal reign.
Key Takeaways:
- The Danger of Traditionalism: Traditionalism can lead to legalism and bigotry, hindering open-mindedness and growth. We must remain open to criticism and alternative perspectives to avoid becoming rigid in our beliefs. [02:03]
- The State's Role: The state has a primarily negative function, maintaining order and restraining sin. While Christians can influence society, the full realization of Christ's kingdom awaits His return. [03:27]
- The Lordship of Christ: Christ's lordship extends over all life, not just the church. However, the kingdom of God will not come gradually through societal transformation but will be established at Christ's second coming. [04:33]
- Church vs. Individual Roles: The church's primary task is to preach the gospel and build up believers, while individual Christians are to live out their faith in all areas of life, influencing society with Christian principles. [15:27]
- Engagement with Culture: Christians should engage with cultural issues, challenging the idea that public opinion dictates morality and emphasizing biblical standards. The church should lay down principles but not engage directly in political activities. [33:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Romans 13:1-7
- [01:04] - Christian's Relationship to the State
- [02:03] - The Danger of Traditionalism
- [03:27] - The State's Negative Function
- [04:33] - The Lordship of Christ
- [06:09] - Transforming Society
- [08:08] - Misconceptions about Christianizing
- [09:08] - The Kingdom of God
- [10:39] - Tension Between Two Kingdoms
- [13:09] - Christian Engagement with the World
- [15:27] - Church vs. Individual Roles
- [20:29] - The Church's Function
- [24:21] - Principles for Politics and Culture
- [33:19] - Morality and Public Opinion
- [38:33] - The Role of Individual Christians
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 13:1-7
- 1 Peter 2:13-14
- Matthew 28:18-20
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 13:1-7, what is the primary function of the state as described by Paul? How does this align with the sermon’s discussion on the state's role? [03:27]
2. In the sermon, how is the danger of traditionalism described, and what historical examples are given to illustrate this point? [02:03]
3. What does the sermon say about the relationship between the lordship of Christ and the state? How is this supported by Matthew 28:18-20? [04:33]
4. How does the sermon differentiate between the roles of the church and individual Christians in society? [15:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the role of the state in maintaining order and restraining sin, and what implications does this have for Christians living in a secular society? [03:27]
2. The sermon discusses the lordship of Christ over all life. How does this concept challenge or support the idea of a Christian organization of society? [04:33]
3. What are the potential consequences of the church engaging directly in political activities, according to the sermon? [37:47]
4. How does the sermon suggest Christians should engage with cultural issues, and what biblical standards should guide this engagement? [33:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a tradition or belief you hold that might be rooted in traditionalism rather than biblical teaching. How can you remain open to alternative perspectives and avoid becoming rigid in your beliefs? [02:03]
2. In what ways can you, as an individual Christian, influence society with Christian principles without overstepping the church's primary role of preaching the gospel? [15:27]
3. Consider a cultural issue you are passionate about. How can you engage with this issue in a way that aligns with biblical standards and avoids being swayed by public opinion? [33:19]
4. How can you balance your responsibilities as a citizen of a secular state with your commitment to the lordship of Christ in all areas of your life? [04:33]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you can apply the principles of Christ's lordship. What steps can you take this week to live out your faith in that area? [04:33]
6. Think about a recent situation where you encountered a moral dilemma. How did you decide what was right, and how might biblical standards have influenced your decision? [33:19]
7. How can you support your church in its mission to preach the gospel and build up believers while also living out your faith in your personal and professional life? [15:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Guarding Against Traditionalism
Traditionalism can lead to legalism and bigotry, hindering open-mindedness and growth. It is crucial for Christians to remain open to criticism and alternative perspectives to avoid becoming rigid in their beliefs. This openness allows for spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's will. By embracing a mindset that welcomes constructive feedback, believers can prevent the pitfalls of traditionalism and foster a more inclusive and loving community. [02:03]
Mark 7:8-9 (ESV): "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men. And he said to them, 'You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!'"
Reflection: Is there a tradition or belief you hold that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you open yourself to new perspectives today?
Day 2: Understanding the State's Role
The state has a primarily negative function, maintaining order and restraining sin. While Christians can influence society, the full realization of Christ's kingdom awaits His return. This understanding helps believers navigate their relationship with governing authorities, recognizing that while they can advocate for justice and righteousness, ultimate transformation comes from God. Christians are called to respect and pray for their leaders, trusting that God is sovereign over all earthly powers. [03:27]
1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV): "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good."
Reflection: How can you actively pray for and support your local leaders while trusting in God's ultimate plan for His kingdom?
Day 3: The Lordship of Christ
Christ's lordship extends over all life, not just the church. However, the kingdom of God will not come gradually through societal transformation but will be established at Christ's second coming. This perspective encourages Christians to live faithfully in anticipation of Christ's return, focusing on personal holiness and evangelism rather than solely on societal change. Believers are reminded that their hope is in Christ's ultimate victory and eternal reign. [04:33]
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge Christ's lordship in your daily life, knowing that His kingdom will be fully realized at His return?
Day 4: Distinguishing Church and Individual Roles
The church's primary task is to preach the gospel and build up believers, while individual Christians are to live out their faith in all areas of life, influencing society with Christian principles. This distinction helps believers understand their personal responsibility in embodying Christ's teachings in their daily interactions and decisions. The church provides guidance and support, but it is up to each individual to be a light in their community, demonstrating the love and truth of Christ. [15:27]
Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively live out your faith in your workplace or community this week, reflecting the principles of Christ in your actions and words?
Day 5: Engaging with Culture
Christians should engage with cultural issues, challenging the idea that public opinion dictates morality and emphasizing biblical standards. The church should lay down principles but not engage directly in political activities. This approach allows believers to be salt and light in the world, influencing culture with truth and love without becoming entangled in political agendas. By focusing on biblical principles, Christians can address cultural issues with wisdom and grace, pointing others to the hope found in Christ. [33:19]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What cultural issue are you passionate about, and how can you address it with biblical wisdom and love, rather than conforming to societal pressures?
Quotes
The danger of traditionalism is not tradition but traditionalism. The trouble is we tend to abuse traditions and harden them; we turn them into laws, and good traditions often become legalisms. That is what has happened so clearly with respect to this particular matter. So we must be aware of the danger of traditionalism, of closed minds fighting for an established position, being unprepared to consider any criticism of it or any alternative to it. [00:02:03]
The state has a primarily negative function, maintaining order and restraining sin. It is to punish evildoers and reward those who do well. Has it any function beyond this? Is it merely and only to keep sin and its evil manifestations within bounds? The Apostle puts it in the first epistle to Timothy, where he exhorts to pray for all who are in authority, for kings, and so on, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [00:03:27]
The lordship of Christ extends over all life, not just the church. Didn't he say himself after the resurrection or before his ascension, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth"? Doesn't this teach that there is a lordship of Christ over the whole world? His lordship isn't confined only to the members of the church. [00:04:33]
We must never speak of our Lord's kingdom as coming gradually, except in one sense only, and that one sense is in the church. The work of salvation is a gradual one from age to age, generation to generation. People are being won from the world and transferred and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. In that sense, the kingdom is coming and growing gradually, but in no other sense. [00:09:08]
The New Testament teaches very plainly, and indeed this is in a sense still more patent in the Old, that there is always a tension between the two kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world dominated by the god of this world, who is the devil. So the world as such will never become Christian in any sense. [00:10:39]
We must draw this sharp line between what the church does as church and what the individual Christian does as a Christian living in society with other people. If we don't maintain this distinction, we shall be reintroducing the old muddle, which has characterized the life of so many of the centuries. [00:15:27]
The prime task of the church, of course, is to preach the gospel, preach the gospel of salvation. The business of the church, if I may so put it, is to produce Christians. She's called to do that. Heralds of the gospel, we are sent forth to preach. How shall they hear without a preacher? We are to evangelize; we are to preach the gospel to make Christians. [00:20:29]
The church is to deal with all these matters in terms of principles. She doesn't enter into politics; she doesn't take sides on particular issues in a detailed sense. She lays down the principle but doesn't, as it were, enter the arena either preaching politics or sitting in the House of Lords or wherever else they may choose to sit. [00:24:21]
The state must never do that; there must be liberty, there must be freedom. The state is here to see to that. She must never, therefore, tyrannize over people; she's abusing her calling when she does so. Now it is the business of the church in her preaching and teaching to make this clear. She's to lay down these great principles and point out what is the business and the duty and the function of the state. [00:33:19]
The church can show that there is a type of art which ministers to the glory of God. It is a type of art that is blasphemous and that contradicts the whole notion of the glory and the lordship of God. Now the church is entitled to say this; she can point out that there are these distinctions. [00:38:33]
The Christian has got to live out his Christianity in the whole of his life, and that makes it very important that he should discover the principles which are to guide him in doing this. He comes to the church, and he gets help and guidance in doing that very thing. But it is for him, I say, to work this out in detail and in practice. [00:38:33]
The function of the state is mainly negative. She is here to keep order and rule; she is here to restrain the evil effects of sin. Try to make it as positive as you can, but always recognize that ultimately you will never get much beyond the negative. That is surely the main purpose of common grace. [00:38:33]
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