Two Political Principles
by Doy Moyer
Two prime principles should help Christians navigate through the various political systems of this world, whatever they may be:
- Worldly powers are ultimately in God’s hands. “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings” (Daniel 2:21). Likewise, “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men” (Daniel 4:17). At the end of the day, God has this. Christians need to trust Him in all matters.
- Christians, as citizens of heaven above all else, are also to be valuable citizens wherever they live on earth. Even as God’s people had gone into Babylonian exile because of their sins, they were nevertheless told to build houses and plant gardens, to get married, and to have children. “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 have welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). This is an important principle for God’s people. Though we long for our eternal home with God, we live in our present circumstances by God’s will and to do God’s will on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). We ought to be a blessing to the nation in which we live and demonstrate our love for neighbors. Therefore, any political activity needs to have this principle in mind so that God is ultimately glorified.
