The Christian and His Government

In our highly polarized and politicized society, it is natural to see that many Christians have been spending much time attempting to determine exactly what the nature of their role should be with our government. I would like to examine what the Scriptures say both generally and specifically about how a Christian should deal with his government.

Perhaps the most important idea presented in the Scriptures that should guide our position toward our government is that this world is not our permanent home, and that, as John says in 1 John 2:15-16:

Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

We must realize that the government which presides over our country is not permanent, and is of the world.

Jesus, our guide in all things, in Matthew 22:15-21 has this to say about the government:

Then the Pharisees went and counseled together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. "Tell us therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?"
But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? "Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax."
And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"
They said to Him, "Caesar's."
Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."

It is significant to notice that Jesus never desired to wield any political control, even to the point of fleeing from localities where people wanted to make Him a king (John 6:15). He was not interested in political things, but spiritual; and this is His lesson in Matthew 22:21. The message is similar to that of John, that there is a division between the things of the current authority on Earth (Caesar) from the things of the utmost authority (God), and that the Christian would be wise to remember that the two are to be kept separate.