CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS.

By: Benson Omole.

If there is anything that will spark a spontaneous debate, among believers, if not an outright argument, it is a discussion involving politics. As followers of Christ, how should we view politics, what should be our attitudes and our involvements with politics? In these contemporary times we live in today, it is increasingly becoming difficult to differentiate between an active Politician, and a faithful Christian! Small efforts shall be made to define what Christian life and values are. Why are we saved, and our responsibilities, now that we are saved? We shall also examine few classical definitions of politics, and its theories.

Readers must be able to decide whether to enter in “by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leads unto life, and few are they that find it.” –Jesus Christ (Matthews 7:13-14)

POINTS TO CONSIDER.

a. Jesus Christ did not attempt to rule the Kingdom of the World! John18:36; Matt. 4:8-10

b. None of the Apostles of Christ was a Political ruler.

c. Are we saved so that we can rule the World?

d. Were those early Christians wrong in not trying to better the world by taking part in politics?

e. Bible shows that the early Christians shunned politics; that a fundamental principle of Christianity is apart from the world.

f. Bible shows that true Christians do not advocate or preach democracies, communism, socialism, monarchies, oligarchies, and authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, or any other form of human government as a remedy for the world’s woes. Christians are to preach the kingdom of God, and its righteousness. The kingdom of GOD is not part of this world. John18:36.

g. Early Christians were careful not to meddle with politics. They knew that God’s kingdom is to destroy all political governments.

WHAT IS POLITICS?

a. Politics (from Greek: Πολιτικά, politiká, 'affairs of the cities') is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in political groups, political parties, or other forms of power relations and sharing among individuals, for the distribution of resources or status. The central purpose of politics is the aim to cease political power, to rule over a city state. – Aristotle (384–322 BCE. Aristotle, along with his teacher Plato, was generally regarded as the most influential ancient thinkers, in a number of philosophical fields, including political theory. The modern word ‘political’ derives from the early work of Aristotle’s Greek politikos.

b. Max Weber’s famous definition of politics – “striving for a share of power or for influence on the distribution of power” (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/pdf) Politics is a constant struggle for power. All politics is power politics!

c. Robert A. Dahl: (…A Political system is any persistent pattern of human relationship that involves, to a significant extent power, rule or authority.”)

d. Harold Lasswell: (…“Politics is the study of shaping and sharing Political powers).

e. According to these thinkers Power has acquired prominent position in political thoughts.

CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE GOVERNMENT. (by Opemipo Olusegun Olusola Evang.)

Christians are being urged to participate in politics. What should the true Christian do? Should he try to change the world? Or should he be renewed, and be transform to the life of Christ, in words and deeds?

1. Pray for the civil government;1 Timothy 2:1-2 (KJV); "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

2. Submit to the government as long as the law of Christ is not violated; Romans 13:1-2 (KJV); "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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”

3. Pay the government its dues (Taxes, licenses, duties, etc.);Matthew 22:21 (KJV); "They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.”

4. Honor the king by voting to enthrone justice and righteousness;1 Pet.2:17 (KJV); "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."Proverbs 16:12 (KJV); "It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness."Proverbs 14:34 (KJV); "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.2:17 (KJV); "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."Proverbs 16:12 (KJV); "It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness."Proverbs 14:34 (KJV); "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

WHO ARE THE CHRISTIANS.

Those who are really children of God are those who have heard the word of God (Rom. 10:17); believed the word (Mark 16:16); repented of their sins (Luke 13:3-5; cf. 2 Cor. 7:10); confessed their faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10.:9-10; Acts 8:37; and have been immersed in water, for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:26-27). At this point of time one becomes a Christian, a child of God, a member of the Lord's church (Acts 2:47).

Jesus Christ specifically defined who could actually scale the huddles to becoming His Disciples:

a. 'If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:25.

b. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” Luke 9:23-24

c. therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions'" Luke 25:33; 9:57-62.

d. “…If ye abide in my word, [then] are ye truly my disciples…” (John8:31ASV)

After becoming a child of God it is always very important that we continue in the paths of righteousness. Christ left us the perfect example to follow (1 Pet. 2:21-22), and if we follow this example we will be pleasing to God. There are those who are children of God who really cannot consider themselves Christians because they have fallen back into the world (cf. Gal.5:4). One cannot call himself a Christian if he refuses to follow his leader, and truly Christ is the leader, or head of the saved (Acts 2:47; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23). Jesus came into the world in order to save it (cf. John. 3:16-17; Luke. 19:10; 1 Tim. 1:10; 2:3-6). It is not surprising, therefore, to see him appealing to mankind to come unto Him so that they could have rest for their souls. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my load is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).

One who is not willing to give Jesus the full control of his life cannot be his disciple. For "whatever" the true disciple does, whether "in word or deed" he does "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17).

Being a disciple of Christ is not without cost. It is not always attractive to follow him. Sometimes it is even unattractive (cf. 1 Cor. 4:9-14; 2 Cor. 11:23-27). But for those willing to pay the price the blessings make the sacrifice seem as nothing.

CITIZENSHIP OF THE CHRISTIANS.

A citizen is "one owing allegiance to and entitled to protection from a government." Eph.2:19-22.

The Christian is a citizen of two governments.

A. First, a Christian is a citizen of divine government. "For our citizenship is in heaven." (Phil. 3:20) The church is the kingdom of God on earth, and members of the church are citizens of the kingdom.

a. Christians are ruled by a perfect and permanent law. The New Testament is the perfect law of liberty. (James 1:25.)

b. As citizens of divine government we are subjects of the King of Kings - Jesus Christ. We must be loyal to the law of the kingdom as laid down in the New Testament. When one has complied with the requisites for citizenship as given in the New Testament, he is a citizen of the kingdom, has all the rights that inhere in such citizenship, and assumes all the responsibilities of good citizenship.

c. Christians are members of the most highly favored kingdom on earth.

d. Christians are members of the purest kingdom on earth.

e. Christians are members of the most enlightened kingdom on earth.

f. Christians are members of the most profitable kingdom on earth. This is true in two senses. First, the Christian life is the happiest, the freest, the most wholesome and the healthiest life there is. (I Timothy 4:8.) Those who are loyal to Christ are promised a hundredfold now in this time, and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29, 30.) Second, Christian citizenship is the most profitable in that it is through Christians that God brings blessings to the people of the world. God opens the hearts of his people to minister to the needs of the world.

g. Christians are members of the most exalted society on earth.

B. Secondly, a Christian is also a citizen of the Kingdom of the world, under the government which he lives.

a. When Satan told Jesus he would give him "all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them," if he would fall down and worship him, it is implied that he had such power and control over these kingdoms and their glory, to deliver them into his hands. Matthew 4:9; Luke 4:6.

b. The extent of his rule is clearly indicated when he is called "the prince of this world" (John 12:31), and "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2). In 2 Corinthians 4:4 he is called "the god of this world." John says that "the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 Jn. 5:19), and Revelation 12:9 attributes this to the fact that "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, . . . deceiveth the whole world."

c. The "world" over which Satan rules is mankind in alienation from God. While the world appears to be Satan's empire, or his sphere of operation, as a matter of fact, what he produces in the world (sin and death) becomes his empire. The "world" in this ethical sense is laden in sin and in need of salvation. In this realm men "loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19; cf. 1 John 2:15-17). Where sin reigns, spiritual death also reigns, for "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).

GOD RULES IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN!

Before the advent of Christ:

A. God the Almighty created the Heavens and the Earth. He rules over all: “For Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah is our lawgiver, Jehovah is our king; he will save us.” (Isaiah 33:22ASV).

B. God the Almighty, the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will, He appoints Rulers over the inhabitants of the Earths: GOLD (Babylon, Daniel 2:37-38); SILVER (Medo-persia, Daniel 2:39); BRASS (Greece, Daniel 2:39); IRON (Daniel 2: 40).

C. The prophecy of Daniel says that “…in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (Daniel 2:44 ASV). Then, the Kingdom of this world, has to be broken in pieces and be consumed by the Kingdom of Christ.

D. Then, how should the Earth be administered, by WHO? Read: “…And as for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.) (Daniel 7:12 ASV); then “…And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (Daniel 7: 27 ASV)

E. How then could you rule and reign in the Kingdom of this World, if you have the understanding of the Word of GOD, and His prophecies mentioned above. The present Government of the World is in vain; its life is prolonged for a season, and a time, until the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AT THE FIRST ADVENT OF CHRIST.

A. Jesus Christ came to establish His Kingdom, Matt. 16:18-19; Zechariah 6:12-13; Mark 9:1; Acts 2:8.

B. He made preparations for the Saints to rule in His Kingdom, as ELDERS (also called BISHOPS, OR PASTORS).

C. The qualified Men rule with righteousness and faithfulness, in the Kingdom of God. 1Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9.

D. The Kingdom of God, over which the Elders exercise their rule, is not the Kingdom of this World. John 18:36.

E. The Kingdom of God, wherein the Christians were citizens, is not the Kingdom of this World. John 17:14-19.

EXAMPLES OF SOME CHRISTIANS WHO COMPROMISED AND BECOME POLITIANS:

A. JAMES ABRAM GARFIELD, was the 20th president of the United State of America, serving from March 4, 1881 untill death six months later. (https://g.co/kgs/fVHwTX).

1. Our Brother James A. Garfield’s name feature prominently among the list of the presidents of the United State of America who were members of FREEMASON, AND ILLUMINATI (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_the_United_States_who_were_Freemasons).

2. In 1864, Garfield was made a Master Mason at Colombus Lodge No. 30 in Colombus ohio. (https://www.freemason.com/ohio-masonry-us-presidency/).

B. Our esteemed Brother Theodore Ahamefule Orji CON is a Nigerian politician who was governor of Abia State, in southeast Nigeria from 2007 to 2015. He was formerly a career civil servant, and served as the Chief of Staff to Abia Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. He was caught hands-down in the act of occultism, taking a spiritual birth, at a shrine in Okija. (https://saharareporters.com/2007/06/14/tell-magazine-governor-chains-ta-orji-grotto-okija-shrine).

C. There are still many others. As political activism is increasing among the Brethren in the Churches of Christ, we shall be witnessing the increase in the numbers of Brethren bowing down to the Devil, to worship him, so that the Devil could give them the Kingdom of this World and their glory!

CONCLUSION.

Paul did not admonish the Roman Christians, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." He urged them to a better way. "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1 Jn. 2:17).

Thank you for reading.

16/01/2023.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1: If God is no more ruling in the affair of men but Satan, why were Christians still citizen of human government and demanded to obey its rules and regulations and pray for the government?

A1: The overall Will of God is the salvation of the whole World, (Rom. 3:23-26). Peaceful coexistence of the Earthly Citizens is central to this achievable Will of God. Therefore, Jesus said “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do”. Likewise, Christians were to obey the rules and commands made by the Government, which may not oppose the commandments of Christ, in the New Testament. There are some enforcements which are in agreement with the TRUTH. (Taxes, customs, fear, honour, obedience for the peace of the Land). Rom 13:7. Obedience to the civil authorities doesn’t give legitimacy to the Children of God to be politicians, in all conducts, behavior and character!

Q2: According to your teaching, Christians are obligated to honor the king by voting to enthrone justice and righteousness. Will this be harmony with God's justice for Christians to be getting involved and voting to enthrone justice and righteousness in the world affairs that God himself is no more ruling.

A2: God established these institutions: Family; Government; and the Church. There are ways to become member of any of these institutions. You do not “GOVERN”, just by voting! You govern the people by (a) Registering to become a member of a political party; (b) you apply for party nomination; (c) you become a Candidate; (d) you vie for, and campaign for votes; (e) you become elected; (f) you are sworn in. Voting doesn’t make you a member of a political party. You determine who is competent among the candidates.

Q3: Can Christians make more good changes than God in an affair that He himself is no more involved?

A3: Previously, in the past dispensations, God selects and appoints persons as Ruler of the people. You must wonder why He doesn’t do that anymore! Who selected, and appointed the present leaders of the countries of the World? God, or Man? Which country of the World has been ruled according to the precepts and the Constitution from God? None! The Kingdom of God is the ultimate. God appoints Elders/Pastors/Bishops still in His Kingdom, Acts 20:28.

Q4: What is actually God's kingdom? Is it limited to the Church, or it is entirety of the heaven and earth?

A4: God’s rule is beyond the planet Earth. It has just been discovered that there more than one Universe! Hence, God exercise rule over all the Multiverses!!! Therefore, God’s Kingdom is beyond the observable Space! On Earth, he rules the whole World directly, as His Kingdom, according to His Will. His rule was rejected by sinful men (Rom. 3:23). God looked for Himself, Abraham. The Children of Jacob became His Kingdom on the Earth, (Exodus 19:6). His rule was equally rejected by the nation of Israel, (Matthews 21:43). God built another Kingdom, which He said, “…the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (2Samuel 7:12-13; Matthews 16:18). What other Kingdom is still in existence today apart from the Kingdom of Christ? (Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14). In addition, the Bible confirmed that there is only one Body, (Ephesians 4:4).

Q5: Will it be a sin for a Christian to be a candidate of political party and be voted for to attain a political office such as president, governor, and senator or community chairman?

A5: When a Christian is sanctified by the truth, in God’s Word, he should be able to see world events clearly. He should see things as they are in the truth, not as they appear to be! Evil relationships corrupt good manners. If God wants Christ to rule the whole World, He could have done so! If God wanted Christians to rule the World, He could have set up an earthly Kingdom, where Christians could exercise rule! He could have equally established a political New Testament, instead of a spiritual New Testament. Note also, that the Old Testament was a political, social, cultural, spiritual, economical Testament, from God. The New Testament is purely spiritual!!!

Q6: Will it be right for a Christian to be a civil servant of a government which God is not involved.

A6: Civil Service administration is an appendage of a Civil Government. Civil servants are not politicians. Civil Servants are political administrators, they are not politically active. Political administrators do not campaign for votes, they do not rule. They were not voted into office. There are many Christians who are doing excellently well, in the Civil Service, to the glory of God. They are not Politicians! A Christian may be appointed a Vice Chancellor of a University, Permanent Secretary, Director based on educational, and academic qualifications, by a political Governor, or an ambassador by a political President. Yet, he may still be apolitical.

Q7: Was Theophilus not an example of a Christian who held a political office in the light of Luke 1:3; Acts 23:26 by being addressed as "most excellent" like Governor Felix?

A7: Bible must be read carefully, broadly, comparing verses of the Scriptures, in harmony with the truth of the Word of GOD! The word in Greek “KRATISTO”, means “Most Noble” (Acts 24:3; 26:25); “Most Excellent” (Luke 1:3; Acts 23:26). Please note this, κράτιστος "mightiest, noblest, best," the superlative degree of kratus, "strong" (cp. kratos, "strength"), is used as a title of honor and respect, "most excellent," Luke 1:3 (Theophilus was quite possibly a man of high rank); Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25 , RV, for AV, "most noble." If we accept the fact that Theophilus held a political office, then he was so referred to as “Most Excellent in the Luke 1:3 account. Some Christians believed that the Gospel of Luke presents the truth of the life, and teaching of Christ to Theophilus. In Acts of the Apostle’s account, by the same Author, why did Luke failed to refer to him again as “Most Noble Theophilus”? (Acts 1:1). Has he become a Christian? Some Christians presumed that the reason why Luke couldn’t refer to him anymore as “Most Excellent Theophilus was that he had become a Christian!!! Could anyone presume otherwise?

Q8: Where in the Bible is Christian commanded to vote but should not be voted for to be in a political office?

A8: I do not think that it is also in the New Testament that Christians should not vote? I do not think also that the New Testament’s purpose is to set up a political religion, like the Islamic Quran. Christianity is not a political religion!!! Early Christians in the New Testament stayed away from politics. Which political system and structure is authorized by God? The Early Churches of Christ in the New Testament stayed away from politics!!!

Q9: How can we explained the difference in the nature of Roman Government where candidate are not demanded to vote with the present Democratic government of today where there is duties to vote and be voted for? Could this difference not be responsible why many Christians are not able to get involved in politics then in contrast to present governments?

A9: The Roman government was the last Kingdom before God established a New Kingdom of Christ, The Body of Christ, The Church of Christ. If God had wanted the Christians to rule in Rome, He could have done so. He made Joseph to rule in Egypt without a single vote!

Q10: Your teaching shows that God only ruled in the affairs before first advent of Christ. But why did God still thereafter ordain civil government according to Roman 13:1-7.

A10: God established civil Government. God destroys civil Governments. Daniel 2:44-45; 7:12. (…As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time…”). The lives of these Kingdoms you see, and their glories is passing away; God has removed His Authority and Rule from them. The same is true of the nation of Israel. Israel as a nation exist today, but where is the Authority of God in its government? God has withdrawn His authority from the Kingdom of the nation of Israel, and in the present Government of the nation of Israel.

Q11: How can you reconcile the position that the kingdom of the world and its control belongs to the devil with the idea that God rules in the same kingdom. Is God and Satan ruling concurrently?

A11: God rules over all His creation, whether good or bad. God rules over the Devil himself.

Q12: In your explanation on Matt.4: 8-9 you implied that Satan has the kingdom of the world, please expatiate in light with John.8:44.

A12: Devil rules and exercise powers over the disobedient. (We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.) 1John 5:19; Jesus delivered us “…He has delivered us from the power of darkness”; “…"Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” Matt. 12:29. The Devil was called the “prince of this World, John12:31; 14:30; 16:11. Devil rules over the wicked World. The World as presently constituted is wicked, the World doesn’t know God. “…the government of the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE, and for the PEOPLE”. IN ALL THE POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE WORLD, WHICH ONE HONOURS, AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE CREATOR OF THE WHOLE WORLD? None!

Thanks so much for your questions.

I hope with this small work, you will be able to discern the truth why all politicians are liars and corrupt. Please guide and guard your faith, for your salvation’s sake!

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CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS.

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