How should a Christian view politics?

From the heart of Dr. R. L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. Scripture shares some truths regarding our stance toward politics and government. First and foremost is that the will of God permeates and supersedes every aspect of life including politics. In other words, God’s will takes precedence over everything and everyone (Matthew 6:33). God’s plans and purposes are fixed, and His will is inviolable, (never to be broken, infringed, or dishonored). What He has purposed, He will bring to pass, and no government can thwart His will (Daniel 4:34–35). In fact, it is God who “removes kings and establishes kings” (Daniel 2:21) because “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes” (Daniel 4:17). An understanding of this truth will help us see that politics is merely a method God uses to accomplish His will. Also, government is not the remedy for all our social ills, salvation is! We are not saved through politics. Only God can save, and He provides the answer to society’s problems. We never read in the New Testament of Jesus or any of the apostles schooling believers on how to reform the pagan world of its idolatrous, immoral, and corrupt practices via the government. Instead, they preached the gospel and lived in a way that gave evidence of the gospel’s transforming power. Even as we advocate for godly values and vote for principled leaders, we recognize that our hope for morality in the culture does not depend on politicians. A nation’s hope for change is not to be found in any country’s ruling class. People need the Lord. The government has its purpose, and so does the kingdom of God. Our primary mission lies not in changing the nation through political reform, but in changing hearts through the Word of God. Our Christian mandate is to spread the gospel of Christ. Yes, we take a stand against the unrighteousness of our time, and we advocate for “political” policies that would help curb wickedness. Through it all, we pray that individual hearts are changed by Christ. Only as individuals are transformed through the new birth will the culture begin to reflect godliness. Be encouraged!