Faithful Engagement: Navigating God and Government

Summary

Navigating the intersection of faith and politics is a challenging endeavor, especially in a world where political landscapes are ever-changing. Today, we explored how Christians can engage with government while maintaining their ultimate allegiance to God. We began by reflecting on the life of Polycarp, an early church father who exemplified unwavering faith in the face of persecution. His story sets a powerful precedent for how believers can stand firm in their convictions, even when pressured by governing authorities.

Romans 13 provides a foundational understanding of the Christian's relationship with government. It teaches that all authority is established by God, and thus, Christians are called to submit to governing authorities as an act of obedience to God. However, this submission is not without limits. The Bible offers numerous examples, such as the Hebrew midwives in Exodus, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel, and the apostles in Acts, where believers chose to subvert government commands that directly contradicted God's will.

The key is discerning when to submit and when to subvert. Christians are called to submit to government as a general rule, but when government actions violate God's commands or overstep their God-given authority, believers must prioritize their allegiance to God. This requires wisdom, prayer, and a deep understanding of Scripture to navigate complex situations.

In our context, living in a democratic society provides unique opportunities to influence government through voting, advocacy, and reform. Christians are encouraged to engage in these processes to align governmental policies with God's moral will. Ultimately, our allegiance is to the King of Kings, and our actions should reflect His kingdom values.

Key Takeaways:

1. Ultimate Allegiance to God: Christians must prioritize their allegiance to God above all earthly authorities. While submission to government is generally expected, it is always secondary to obedience to God. Our ultimate loyalty is to the King of Kings, and His commands are unrivaled. [21:26]

2. Submission and Subversion: The normative approach for Christians is to submit to government as an act of obedience to God. However, when government actions contradict God's will, believers are called to subvert those commands. This requires discernment and a commitment to God's authority. [23:08]

3. Engagement in Democracy: Living in a democratic society offers Christians the opportunity to shape government policies through voting and advocacy. This is a way to love our neighbors and promote justice and righteousness in alignment with God's will. [26:02]

4. Complexity of Authority: Government authority is limited and should not infringe upon areas designated by God, such as parental authority over children. Christians must discern when government oversteps its bounds and respond accordingly. [27:36]

5. Living in the Kingdom of Light: As followers of Christ, we are called to live according to the values of God's kingdom, not the world's. This involves a campaign of sabotage against the kingdom of darkness, living in a way that reflects the light and truth of Christ. [33:45]

Youtube Chapters:

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:16] - Introduction to Faith and Politics
[02:41] - The Story of Polycarp
[04:00] - Polycarp's Stand Against Persecution
[05:26] - Romans 13 and Government Authority
[06:58] - Context of Romans and Authority
[08:31] - God as the Ultimate Authority
[10:01] - Government's Role and Authority
[11:30] - Submission to Government
[12:56] - Questions on Submission and Subversion
[14:17] - Biblical Examples of Subversion
[15:50] - Developing a Theology of Government
[17:33] - Examples from Exodus and Daniel
[18:52] - New Testament Example: Peter and John
[20:11] - Understanding When to Subvert
[21:26] - Allegiance to God Over Government
[23:08] - Justification for Subversion
[24:38] - Straight Line and Jagged Line Issues
[26:02] - Engaging in Democracy
[27:36] - Government Infringement and Authority
[29:10] - Complex Issues and Decision-Making
[30:35] - Questions for Submitting or Subverting
[32:15] - C.S. Lewis on Christianity and Sabotage
[33:45] - Living in the Kingdom of Light

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Romans 13:1-7
- Exodus 1:15-17
- Daniel 3:16-18

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 13:1-7 say about the source of governmental authority and the Christian's response to it? [06:58]
2. How did the Hebrew midwives in Exodus 1 respond to Pharaoh's command, and what motivated their actions? [15:50]
3. What was the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to King Nebuchadnezzar's decree, and what does this reveal about their faith? [17:33]
4. How does the story of Polycarp illustrate the tension between submitting to government and maintaining allegiance to God? [04:00]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Romans 13:1-7 help Christians discern when to submit to government and when to prioritize obedience to God? [06:58]
2. In what ways do the actions of the Hebrew midwives and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego provide a framework for understanding when to subvert governmental authority? [17:33]
3. How does the sermon suggest Christians can engage in democratic processes to influence government policies in alignment with God's will? [26:02]
4. What are the implications of living in the "Kingdom of Light" as described in the sermon, and how does this affect a Christian's interaction with worldly authorities? [33:45]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt conflicted between obeying a government directive and following your faith. How did you navigate that situation, and what would you do differently now? [21:26]
2. How can you actively engage in democratic processes, such as voting or advocacy, to promote justice and righteousness in your community? [26:02]
3. Identify a current government policy or action that you believe contradicts God's moral will. How can you respond in a way that aligns with your faith? [23:08]
4. In what ways can you demonstrate your ultimate allegiance to God in your daily life, especially when faced with societal pressures? [21:26]
5. How can you discern when the government is overstepping its authority, and what steps can you take to address this in a Christ-like manner? [27:36]
6. Consider the concept of living in the "Kingdom of Light." What practical steps can you take to reflect the values of God's kingdom in your interactions with others? [33:45]
7. How can you support others in your community who are struggling to balance their faith with political engagement? What resources or encouragement can you offer them? [30:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Ultimate Allegiance to God
Christians are called to prioritize their allegiance to God above all earthly authorities. While submission to government is generally expected, it is always secondary to obedience to God. This means that our ultimate loyalty is to the King of Kings, and His commands are unrivaled. In a world where political landscapes are ever-changing, maintaining this allegiance requires discernment and a deep understanding of Scripture. The life of Polycarp, an early church father, exemplifies unwavering faith in the face of persecution, setting a powerful precedent for believers today. His story reminds us that our faith should remain steadfast, even when pressured by governing authorities. [21:26]

"Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your ultimate allegiance to God in your daily interactions and decisions today?

Day 2: Submission and Subversion
The normative approach for Christians is to submit to government as an act of obedience to God. However, when government actions contradict God's will, believers are called to subvert those commands. This requires discernment and a commitment to God's authority. The Bible offers numerous examples, such as the Hebrew midwives in Exodus and the apostles in Acts, where believers chose to subvert government commands that directly contradicted God's will. Understanding when to submit and when to subvert is crucial for Christians navigating the intersection of faith and politics. [23:08]

"But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" (Acts 5:29, ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you might need to choose between submitting to authority and obeying God? How will you seek God's wisdom in making that decision?

Day 3: Engagement in Democracy
Living in a democratic society offers Christians the opportunity to shape government policies through voting and advocacy. This is a way to love our neighbors and promote justice and righteousness in alignment with God's will. Engaging in these processes allows believers to influence government in a manner that reflects kingdom values. It is an opportunity to align governmental policies with God's moral will, promoting justice and righteousness. As Christians, we are encouraged to actively participate in these democratic processes, using our voices to advocate for change that aligns with God's kingdom. [26:02]

"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively engage in your community or government to promote justice and righteousness today?

Day 4: Complexity of Authority
Government authority is limited and should not infringe upon areas designated by God, such as parental authority over children. Christians must discern when government oversteps its bounds and respond accordingly. This requires wisdom and a deep understanding of Scripture to navigate complex situations. The Bible provides guidance on the limits of government authority and the importance of maintaining God's designated roles and responsibilities. As believers, we are called to be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that our actions align with God's will and authority. [27:36]

"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Mark 12:17, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you feel government authority may be overstepping its bounds? How can you seek God's guidance in addressing these concerns?

Day 5: Living in the Kingdom of Light
As followers of Christ, we are called to live according to the values of God's kingdom, not the world's. This involves a campaign of sabotage against the kingdom of darkness, living in a way that reflects the light and truth of Christ. Our actions should reflect His kingdom values, demonstrating love, justice, and righteousness in all that we do. By living in the kingdom of light, we become beacons of hope and truth in a world that often seems dark and chaotic. [33:45]

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to reflect the light and truth of Christ in your community?

Quotes

1) "Polycarp sets a beautiful and wonderful example of what it looks to submit and subvert. We're going to read out of Romans 13 today. Romans 13 I think is one of the clearest teachings on exactly how do we interact with government. But it's not limited to just Romans 13. We're going to look at the whole of scripture. But this is what Romans 13 says. It says, let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God. And those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities, what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." [06:58] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "The first is, God is the ultimate source of authority. So when you think about the hierarchy of authority, God sits on top. He is the supreme authority. He is the one that every single person who's ever been created will ultimately answer to. This is why the scriptures say things like, he is the king of kings. He is the lord of lords. It's setting the context that ultimately, in the hierarchy of authority in this world, God has ultimate authority, right? It says very explicitly, there is no authority except from, God. Those that exist have been instituted by God." [10:01] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Christians are to submit to government. We obey the government ultimately because we want to obey God. God has all the authority. He goes, okay, listen, let every person be subject to the governing authorities. Those are hard words for people like us to take in. We're Americans, right? We're independent. We love freedom. That's not bad things inherently. But when we read something like this, we're like, wait, wait, what does that look like? And he gives some examples. He's like, do good, pay taxes, revenue, give honor and respect. This is what it looks like to submit to the governing authorities." [14:17] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "The first thing that we clearly see in the whole scripture is the Christian always submits to God. So whether he is submitting to government to obey God or subverting government to obey God, his ultimate and her ultimate allegiance is to the king of kings and the Lord of lords. His kingdom's first. His commands are unrivaled. We bow down to one and one alone, the one true king. So our ultimate allegiance as Christians is always the Lord, not government. And second, what we see is when Caesar subverts God, we subvert Caesar." [21:26] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "When it comes to government violation or neglect, we don't obey government. We obey God. Now, the second reason why we can be justified in our subversion is government infringement. So share that picture again about Caesar being limited. Do you realize God's authority is really big, but Caesar has a specific realm in which he or they lead. They have authority over certain realms. This is important because sometimes there's infringement. Let me give you a really good example. Who has the authoritative role in a child's life? Should it be the government or should it be the parent?" [27:36] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed. You might say landed in disguise. And it's calling us to take part in a campaign of sabotage. What does he mean by this? Well, Christianity, our faith is born out of the fact that God stepped out of heaven. And when he stepped out of heaven, he didn't step into a royal palace. He didn't step into a bunch of fanfare. No, he was born to a virgin who was unwed and poor. And he was born in a manger. And the only fanfare he had was the animals around." [32:15] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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