Giving Caesar His Due from Matthew 25

Today I am commenting on Matthew 25:15-22 which reads: 

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

If you haven’t noticed, 2020 is not only a year of pandemics and riots, it is also an election year. Also, if you haven’t noticed, the political climate in our country has become more and more divisive and our country is divided and fragmented in any number of ways. What should we, as Christians and members of God’s Kingdom think about these things? What should we do? 

As is always a good idea, let’s consider what the Bible tells our attitude should be.

Participation:

The Scriptures clearly indicate that we should participate in the political process. Jesus clearly taught that in secular matters (taxes) we should obey our secular authorities. Paul expanded upon this point in Romans 13:1-7 saying that we have nothing to fear from government if we obeyed the law. I frankly find both of these passages remarkable and challenging.

Let’s remember that Jesus lived under the rule of the Sanhedrin and the Roman Empire, neither of which we view today as being righteous or just institutions. Paul did use his Roman citizenship to his advantage, but the Book of Acts closes with him in chains in Rome, even though he had not broken any Roman laws. So, just like Proverbs telling us to train up a child in the correct way is not an absolute guarantee of success, neither is following the examples of Jesus and Paul a guarantee of political success and community harmony. Still, we must engage with our government, because we have no choice.

In past eras, the Anabaptists of the 1500’s, the English Separatists of the 1600’s, and the Fundamentalists of the 1900’s all tried to withdraw from public life, and all found that it was impossible. In fact, the current Evangelical movement was sparked by CFH Henry’s book “The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism” which pointed Biblical conservatives back to engaging the culture surrounding them, which, of course, includes government and politics.

So, as Christians we must engage government and politics.

Expectation:

Although we must engage government and politics we must do so with the correct level of expectation. Like any institution of mankind, politics and government are imperfect. The Preamble to the US Constitution states that its purpose is to form a more perfect union, but not the perfect union. No perfect form of government exists. 

God warned Israel about having a king, yet they ignored Him with spotty, and ultimately disastrous, results. We believe in democracy, and indeed, Baptist churches are governed through congregational decision making which employs democratic processes, but democracy isn’t perfect either. As Winston Churchill infamously said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” Again, no government is perfect, and we should never expect that one can be.

We also need to remember that this world will not last forever, and in the end, God will consume it in fire and start over with a New Heaven and a New Earth. No human Government can provide utopia and we never should expect one to.

In short, we need to be realistic about government and politics without being jaundiced and disconnected.

Intercession:

Finally, and most importantly we should bathe our government and political processes in prayer. As Paul told Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.” While we cannot make a government good, God can. God can change hearts, minds, and lives and we must petition Him to do that in our country, our state, and our local communities.

When we intercede for people through prayer, we bring them to the Throne of Grace and into the very presence of God Almighty. What greater work can we do for the cause of peace and good governance?

Christian, pray for your government, your politicians, and all your leaders. 

Conclusion:

In many ways, Americans are rebellious people. Our nation was born in rebellion, and much of our national culture is a rebellious and stiff-necked culture. Like Biblical Israel, our legacy is one of rejecting God’s way and God’s will. As Christians, we must learn to oppose wrong without being rebellious. We need to revitalize and reimagine the role of “loyal opposition” and we need to bathe our government and leadership in prayer.

Finally, regardless of the outcome of the election (or any election for that matter) we need to remember that our God is the Sovereign Lord and we serve Him in anticipation of that day when the trumpet sounds and we meet Him in the air.

Every blessing,

Dr. Otis Corbitt