William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a member of the British Parliament who became a believer and began to oppose slavery, child labor, and mistreatment of the poor. He worked for 20 years to pass a law that would end the slave trade that took captives from Africa to be sold throughout the British Empire. He was often frustrated that others did not seem to care about the issue. Once he got a majority of parliament members to agree to support the law, but opposers got some of the members to skip the parliament session by giving them theater tickets, and the law did not pass. A law ended the slave trade in 1807, but slavery itself was not yet illegal. Wilberforce continued to campaign for the complete abolishment of slavery. Slavery was ended throughout most of the British Empire in 1833. Wilberforce died just three days after getting the news that the law would pass.
Introduction
There has been great variety in the relationships believers have had with their governments. At some times and places in history there was a national church that was allied with the government. At other times and places, the government has made the church illegal and persecuted it. There are nations that allow people to freely practice any religion, and their governments claim not to favor any particular religion.
The relationship between believers and government causes many difficult questions. Sometimes the church in a place develops a relationship with the government that cannot exist in other parts of the world where government is very different.
This lesson will not answer every question or explain what a follower of Christ should do in every case, but we will look at some biblical principles about a believer’s relationship to government.
► A student should read Romans 13:1-7 for the group. What statements about government do you see in this passage?
The Bible tells us that God instituted human government. God wants government to exist, and a person who refuses to obey human government is rebelling against God (Romans 13:1-2).
► What is the purpose of government, according to these verses?
One purpose of government is to punish bad behavior by enforcing laws (Romans 13:3). The ruler serves God and fulfills God’s purposes when he punishes lawbreakers (Romans 13:4).
► A student should read 1 Timothy 2:1-2 for the group.
We are supposed to pray for the people in government so that we can live quiet and peaceable lives. That tells us that when a government functions as it should, it protects the peace of society.
Christian Influence
► Read Matthew 5:13-16. What did Jesus mean when he told us to be like salt and light?
Some people believe that followers of Christ should not vote or hold government positions, because the governments of the world do not rule by Christian principles. Some Christians believe that the church should be a separate community that does not get involved in society because society is too corrupt.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote to Jews who had been taken from their own country to live in a pagan society. They were not there willingly. If any believers in God ever had reason to abstain from participation in society, surely these Jews did. They were there against their will, the religion of the society was pagan, the government was oppressive and had destroyed their nation, and the Jews were waiting for the day when they could leave.
But listen to the message God gave the prophet for these people:
But 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).
Shalom, the Hebrew word used in this verse refers not only to peace itself, but the blessings that accompany peace. It refers to the blessings of God. These worshippers of God would find God’s blessings as they tried to bring those blessings into a sinful society that knew nothing of him and had persecuted his people!
People who serve God should influence their society to respect God’s will so that their society can be blessed. They should not only share the gospel, but also apply God’s principles to every condition and every decision.
Government and society should be shaped by God’s Word. From God’s revealed truth should come ethics (rules for right actions), from ethics should come politics (government for justice and freedom), and then economics (managing resources). So the right order is truth, then ethics, then politics, then economics.
1. Scripture
2. Ethics
3. Politics
4. Economics
The natural tendency of human society is to reverse that order. People make their personal economics the priority, then support leaders and laws that will give them what they want even if they must lose justice and freedom, then form their ethics to match what they do, then design religion to approve their behavior. So the usual order is economics, then politics, then ethics, then religion.
1. Economics
2. Politics
3. Ethics
4. Religion
That kind of religion has been shaped so much by wrong principles that it lacks much truth.
The church should stand for biblical truth, not only by rejecting the sins of society, but by explaining and demonstrating what society should be like. If believers cannot explain and demonstrate what society should be doing, we should expect that people who are ignorant of biblical truth will fail to apply it.
Believers should not only critique their society. Believers should be part of their society. Believers should actively involve themselves in their communities and be advocates for justice. Believers should always be ethical in all of their dealings and thus influence others for righteousness. They should participate in government and organizations that influence society as long as they can do so without violating Christian principles. If allowed, they should vote and support candidates for office who are the closest to having Christian character.
► What is an example of society’s pressure on the church to make decisions for the sake of economic well being rather than to make decisions based on scriptural truth?
Believers and the Laws of Human Government
Believers throughout history have struggled to know how to follow Christian principles when their government follows different principles. Sometimes the conflict is severe, and believers suffer for their convictions because they cannot do the things the government requires.
The Bible tells us to pay the taxes that are required by the government (Romans 13:7, Matthew 22:21).
The Bible tells us to obey the laws of our nation (Titus 3:1). However, the Bible also tells us that we must obey God whenever God’s commands contradict the laws of man (Acts 5:29).
Government may demand that people fight as soldiers for an unjust cause. Government may demand the death of babies to reduce a surplus population. Government may demand that the population cooperate with the enslavement of an ethnic group.
Sometimes the issues are about worship. Followers of Christ may be persecuted when they do not worship the gods of their family or tribe. Believers may be persecuted when a different religion is favored by their government.
Some nations have laws against evangelism and Bible teaching. Believers are persecuted when they share the gospel. Some nations punish parents who teach their children about God.
We have biblical examples of people of faith who disobeyed unjust commands by rulers. Daniel continued to pray even when prayer was made illegal (Daniel 6:10). Daniel’s three friends refused to worship the king’s idol (Daniel 3:16-18). The Israelite midwives disobeyed Pharaoh when he ordered them to kill Israelite babies (Exodus 1:17).
Throughout history, believers have evangelized even when it was illegal. Believers have illegally taken Bibles across national borders. Believers have gathered to worship in secret. Believers have—without violence—blocked clinics that do abortions. Believers have helped escaped slaves.
Most believers would prefer to live their lives in peace and not be confronted with such decisions. However, if believers face an ethical dilemma they must do what is right even if it requires sacrifice. If they have an opportunity to prevent injustice or share the gospel, they are making a serious decision when they decide whether or not to act.
► Can you describe a legal dilemma that could occur for a believer in your country?
Bribery
A pastor was traveling through a foreign country. He had the proper documents, but several times policemen stopped him and asked him for small amounts of money. If he did not give them money they would delay his journey and give him trouble.
► What should the pastor do in this situation?
A bribe is money paid to a person in authority to influence him to permit something. It is wrong to bribe a person to do something he should not do (Deuteronomy 16:19). For example, if a building or automobile does not meet proper requirements, it is wrong to bribe an inspector to sign something that is not true. It is wrong to bribe a judge or policeman to judge unjustly.
Sometimes a person in authority demands a bribe to do what he is supposed to do. In that case, the person who pays is not paying him to do something wrong. It is wrong for the official to demand it (Luke 3:14), but the person who pays may not have a choice. Examples would be to get permission for something that should be allowed or to get the freedom of an innocent person. Sometimes a bribe is like robbery. Robbery is wrong, but we do not blame the victim.
A careful look at scripture shows that God condemns those who take a bribe but is merciful to those forced to pay it (Exodus 18:21, Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 10:17, Deuteronomy 16:19, Deuteronomy 27:25). Believers should never pay bribes for convenience, but they are not guilty when they are forced by corrupt officials.
► What is an example of a wrong bribe?
Military Service
Many followers of Christ believe it is wrong to serve as a soldier for their country. They base their belief on certain scriptural statements. Jesus said that we should turn the other cheek when someone strikes us (Matthew 5:39). Jesus said that his servants do not fight, because his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). The Apostle Paul said that our weapons are not physical (2 Corinthians 10:4). These Christians believe that any violence against other people is wrong. Many of them live in countries where the government does not allow freedom and has persecuted believers.
Other Christians believe that we should be willing to defend our country as soldiers. Scripture says that God established government and that the government can use weapons to punish wrongdoers (Romans 13:4). It seems obvious that God designed a man to protect his family, and therefore it seems natural that men should be organized to protect their families from attack in the form of an army. When a soldier asked John the Baptist how to repent, John told him to not take bribes or do personal violence but did not tell him to leave the army (Luke 3:14). When Jesus said to turn the other cheek, he was not saying that we should not protect ourselves from attack, but that we should not avenge ourselves of offensive actions, like a slap in the face. He said that his servants do not fight to establish an earthly kingdom for him, because he will not establish a kingdom that way. If government is God’s idea, and if a government should defend its people, then it is right for believers to serve their government to help it fulfill its responsibilities.
Through the centuries of church history, many believers in many nations have served in the military, even in combat, because they believed they must do their part to defend their nation from evil attack.
Christians around the world do not agree on the issue of military service. It is important for a person to prayerfully consider scripture and reason, then faithfully follow his conviction.
► How do churches in your country answer the question of military service?
For Group Sharing
Most believers have strong opinions on these issues. It is important to understand that followers of Christ in various times and places have not all agreed about these questions. We should avoid judging the motives of others because of their opinions.
► How should we evaluate the usual relationship between churches and government in our country? Should something change?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for designing government to provide protection and freedom. Help me to be faithful to you in spite of the imperfections of human government.
Help me to fulfill my responsibility of protecting others and influencing my society.
We anticipate the coming of your kingdom in its fullness.
Amen
Lesson 12 Assignments
(1) The Bible contains many accounts of God working through government officials to accomplish his purposes in the lives of his people. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” Choose one of these accounts to study:
Genesis 41:14-49, Genesis 42:1-3, Genesis 45:4-7
Esther 4, 7-8
Nehemiah 1-2
Write about your observations:
What needed to happen in the lives of God’s people?
How did God use an ungodly ruler to accomplish his purpose?
How did God use a godly person to accomplish his purpose?
(2) Choose one of these topics:
Christian influence
Christians and human laws
Bribery
Military service
Look at the scriptures found in this lesson relating to your topic. Write a page explaining what you think is a scriptural approach to this subject.
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