WHY IT'S NOT UP TO POLITICIANS TO PRESERVE THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE OF A NATION

Our government isn’t perfect. There are imperfect people in leadership across the nation and a system that often feels polarizing; full of insufficiencies, gaps, and evil agendas. But, in the midst of our shortcomings is a God that isn’t scared of the imperfect structures we’ve created, rather He has selected people to lead nations and govern people. Yet, so often in our uncomfortability we deem things insignificant or even worse destructive. The Church often strays away from the conversation of politics because of the nature of the sphere, but the Lord has created people to step into these very spaces and bring supernatural solutions from Heaven. 

However, so often we think that a Christian politician is going to save our nation’s spiritual condition when the truth is that is not their job. Their call has been to govern justly with good character and a pure heart posture, not to evangelize their city, state, or nation. The apostle Paul so clearly explained the importance and role of government, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:1-7‬).

I recently sat down for a conversation with Tenessa Audette, about God and government. We had a riveting conversation on God’s role in government and if politicians should Christianize a nation. While we were talking, Tenessa shared an impactful statement, “God has a place in the founding of our nation. As Christians we need to understand this so that the things that we say don’t divide us but bring us together.” I highly encourage you to watch the full conversation below as Tenessa shared incredible wisdom on God’s role in government. 

It is obvious in Romans 13 that we have been given clear instruction on how to approach our relationship to governing leaders. If you have found yourself scared to broach the subject of government I want to encourage you to ask God to give you words to pray over your governing leaders. Receive vision for what the Lord has called them to. And while we dialogue with God, there are two things I know we can hold onto: respecting our leaders and praying for them. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 we see that praying for leaders leads to a quiet life, which creates an atmosphere for people to come to know God; “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 

So today I want to encourage you to take an honest look at the way you view our leaders, start talking to the Lord about these truths, and pray for peace over the leaders of our country.