Gods view of Christians and Politics

1] Should Christians be involved in issues of politics & government? YES! We are citizens of this nation. Every Christian has a God given responsibility to be active as citizens of the country they live in. (eg) voting, petitions to government. Every citizen has: a) rights b) privileges c) responsibilities Apostle Paul understood the value of his citizenship Acts 16:35-39 NLT The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” vs 35 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.” vs 36 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!” vs 37

When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. vs 38 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. vs 39 Paul's used his citizenship to avoid a beating... Acts 22:24-29 NLT The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. vs 24 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?” vs 25 When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!” vs 26 So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied. vs 27 “I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!” Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!” vs 28 The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he ( Paul ) was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped. vs 29

• Paul knew his rights as a citizen of Rome.
• If Paul would not have known & acted upon his right as a citizen of Rome... he would have been whipped.
• It's not enough for the church to pray... we must also exercise our rights as citizens of Canada.
• Democracy is very fragile & the freedoms & traditional family values that we have been enjoying can be eroded away if the the Body of Christ is silent & not politically active.

2] Jesus has placed His church in the earth to raise up the standard of righteousness in every nation. 1 Tim 3:14-15 NLT

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, vs 14 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. vs 15

Hell itself cannot hold back the influence of “The Church.” Matt 16:18 KJV Jesus said.... upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Jesus called His church to be salt & light. Matt 5:13-16 NLT You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. vs 13 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. vs 15 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. vs 16

• Salt is a preserving influence

• Only effective when it comes out of the

“salt shaker” & applied.

• God placed the Church in this world to be a preserving influence Society with values of our Creator.

• Christians are only effective when we act upon what we belief... & vote! 3] We are called to Influence Society with God's Wisdom

Daniel took a stand for God... kept himself pure. Dan 1:8 NLT But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.

• The Church must not become defiled by feeding on the polluted philosophies of the world.
• Feed on God's thoughts... regarding every issue in society

Excellent spirit – knew how to stand up for righteousness. Dan 1:19-20 NLT The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. vs 19 So they entered the royal service. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. vs 20 Dan 6:3 NKJ Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. We must be able to speak on relevant issues of the day in such a way that wins the hearts & minds of people in a secular society... to the wisdom of the godly. John the Baptist changed the direction of a nation Luke 1:16-17 NLT And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. vs 16 He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” vs 17

(eg) Influence our nation on these issues...

• Freedom of Religion { not freedom from religion }