The Role of Church and Government in Promoting Righteousness

God Purpose for His Institution of Government

It is clear from the holy scriptures that God instituted government as a means. Through this means, God would be all in all. This happens through the exaltation of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ created all things for Him; that is, He created all thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. Sin, death, and corruption usurped Christ’s authority. Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the Father’s right hand grant Him preeminence in all things. It pleased the Father that all fulness (of these things by creation and eternal reconciliation) should dwell in Jesus Christ. Through Christ, the Father is reconciling people by the blood of His Son. He is regenerating them. He is also baptizing them into the body of His Son.

This body of Christ is the habitation of God through the Spirit. God is building this body alone. He inhabits it. He is transforming it into His Son. In the future, He will transition it into the kingdom of His dear Son. We have already been translated there. Jesus Christ is the truth. He goes before the face of the Father. All the paths of God are through Jesus Christ who is the truth. The pivotal point in history came when Jesus Christ ascended to the highest of all under God. This event granted Him glory. Shortly after that time, the mysteries of God in Christ began to be revealed. We have the full record in Paul’s epistles and the writings of the New Testament apostles. These truths, heralded on the pages of holy writ, entail that Christ’s body is to love life. It is to cherish righteousness, peace, and much more.

Church & Government

I readily admit due to the aforementioned the church ought to love life, righteousness, and peace. Life, righteousness, and peace are hallmarks of the kingdom of Christ and having our conversation in heaven. We are to be concerned about, defend, and help one another with these pillars. We learn them, uphold them, and evangelize to win others to them through the gospel. We are to show life, righteousness, and peace as the sons and daughters of God. We shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. We hold forth the word of life.

Government on earth was instituted by God. It was created by Christ but has a temporal ordinance. This ordinance accommodates the long-suffering, forbearance, and grace of God. The grace of God is for souls to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Government accommodates God’s dispensation of grace by wielding the sword. It restrains the sin of hatred and violence. It also thwarts the evil imaginations in the heart of man. Thus, the government and church are similar in this effort to restrain sin. Yet, they differ in their purpose and the ordained weapon of God. Government’s purpose is to restrain the violence of one’s physical life by the wrath of the physical sword. The church is akin to government in its purpose to restrain sin. Still, it differs spiritually. The church wields the spiritual sword of the Spirit for eternal matters. I believe the restraining dynamics of government and the church are different. Both aim for life, righteousness, and peace. Nonetheless, this can lead to confusion about the church’s ambassadorship. Many conflate the two and have throughout history. Still, it is important for the Christian to uphold government’s role and its institution as defined by God. Yet, we must realize our higher calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I rejoice for life, righteousness, and peace when a party or candidate upholds them. I rebuke each where and when they don’t, no matter if they are the winner or loser. I believe Christians should exercise their right to vote, considering truth, if they have that right. They need to be educated on which parties and candidates best represent life, righteousness, and peace. All of these should be defined by God Himself, if they are going to exercise that right.

Church & Endorsements

A few have asked me to commend or endorse a candidate considering scripture. I believe this action places the secondary institution (government) above the primary institution for Christians (the church). Rather, we uphold both according to truth and rightly dividing them. Understanding their similarities and differences and seek not to conflate them. We understand we work in both institutions. I occupy an office in the highest institution of God. This is in the church. Every member of the body of Christ also holds and office in this institution. Thus, two thoughts – 1) I commend and endorse Jesus Christ for all of life in all things. I am called to stir up your minds to not forget the invisible One but greatest of them all. The Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed and only Potentate. 2) In the Lord, I have been given the privilege to proclaim the word of truth. To preach the word without compromise. And have and will continue to teach and preach on life, righteousness, and peace. If you don’t know where I stand on life, righteousness, and peace, we have a rich archive. This archive deals with these issues considering the kingdom of God’s dear Son. I admit they are not mainstream conservative, but show the richness of truth from God’s Word. Hence, this archive doesn’t hold familiar talking points, for those inundated with political jargon. Instead, it holds the truth, wisdom, and righteousness given for believers from God’s Word for your understanding, judgment, and discernment.

I don’t believe that life, righteousness, and peace is fully supported by the new administration. Yet, I believe biblically it is a much better choice. I don’t believe any administration would herald life, righteousness, and peace. Life, righteousness, and peace have been given to the church, hence the two different institutions. Nonetheless, I don’t trust the government to stand for only what the church has been given. Thus, I have grave concerns for the church.

The Concern

In my short life, I have become aware of government, especially the government of the United States. I must admit that I get “a way” every four years. Distraught and frustrated are too strong. Nonetheless, “concerned” is probably most correct and I hope most helpful. I speak of the church at-large and our dispensational circles in particular. Above money I see Christian’s pour in time, effort, and emotion into the course of our government. Yet, I am concerned whether there is the same zeal for ministry within the church. I have deduced that the church is at risk of handing over our responsibility to the government. I hope that I am wrong about this assumption.

We vote for life, righteousness, and peace as it concerns this life. Still, we can confuse that with the life, righteousness, and peace given to the church. I am not suggesting we forsake the former; though, if we focused on the latter we would achieve both. As mentioned above, I think we have a right to vote. It should be exercised. I think we should stand with a party or candidate most aligned with godly values. But, I am concerned that Christians invest in activities that don’t ultimately save souls. They pour time, effort, and emotion into these pursuits without ministering to others. Is understanding parties and policies and exercising the vote important? Yes! Though true, is it as valuable to what God calls us to give our time, effort, and emotion to? Can we not do both? We should act with more godly fervor and faith. By doing so, we would understand that we would earthly results as well as a fruit of spiritual ministry.

Church Ministry

I would love to see folks step up and do ministry. This includes prison ministry. It also includes ministry to moms and dads seeking abortions. There is ministry to those impoverished. There is also ministry to the widows and orphans. We vote to rely on government to make others prosperous. This reliance in measure is good. Nevertheless, how often do we enter the realm of spiritual ministry? Are we administering the gospel and the physical needs of others to make them prosperous? We need ministry that involves more than just voting. Sure our vote can help others carnally. For example, voting for a candidate we think would achieve a better economy is indeed helpful. That vote can contribute to jobs and financial stability for everyone. But, more importantly, we need ministry of the gospel with selfless service. Christ does not impose this on His church. Still, He seeks to win our hearts. He wants us to see the bigger picture. He wants us to focus on the eternal and heavenly purpose in all that we do. This is for His prosperity and glory.

The Work of Ministry | Let’s Go

Therefore, this isn’t an indictment on the church, for I believe “all things are ours”. This includes understanding government and the issues in the face of scripture. Yet, this is a concern. A concern, that godly principles upheld in government, voted by the people, is not cause for the church to relax its’ continual spiritual ministry. We ought to share the gospel and meet the needs of others unto Christ’s glory and their salvation. Let the church sacrifice its time, effort, and emotion in service and ministry in all areas in which we can. We need men and women to yield to the power of God’s Word to labor in the ministry. We should be creative in fulfilling it. We must take some responsibility instead of only voting it away. What is God’s purpose and how are you aligned with Christ? Who is our Head? What does He seek to manage? We press toward the mark! For us Christians, nothing begins or stops every two or four years. We don’t stop until death or His SHOUT!

Look Up,
Josh Strelecki