Should the Government Help My Witness?

1 Peter 2:13-17

In 312AD, Constantine experienced his faith conversion thanks to a dream. While on his way from north-western Europe to Rome to fight for his right to be emperor, Constantine had a dream where he saw a cross and heard the words “in this name, conquer”. He did conquer, becoming emperor and within a year, Christianity went from a small, unconsidered religion to being militantly defended! This included the emperor setting theological policy! I am willing to bet that the idea of the state defending Christianity was a thought Peter (nor any of the other apostles) ever had. Jesus had never discussed a Christian or “faith-based” government, and never intended any kind of coup; in fact making sure His people gave to Caesar what is Caesar’s. And other than Paul’s hope to make his case to Caesar, the idea of governmental interference in religion isn’t really in scripture (note, I am not talking about God’s theocracy, where He was spifically in charge over the Jewish nation – that’s a different situation). Both authors, however, make a point to say that believers are subject to their authoritative governments. Peter, here, in his letter to the exiled believers makes it clear the government has a God-given purpose, but it is not building God’s Kingdom.

Government Handles Order

Yes, the government has a purpose and that purpose can aid a Christian’s witness but notice that Peter is specifically clear that government does not exist to help believers. Government is an institution created by God to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good. It is for the public’s safety and benefit. The public – not the Christian’s. This was obvious to the exiles in Peter’s day, as they were on the run from the government because Christianity was outlawed and even viewed as evil (Romans had a tendency to misunderstand communion as cannibalism and their gatherings as “love feasts” – clearly a horrible misunderstanding, but it did cause problems for early believers). But even with that knowledge, Peter explicitly tells them to be subject to the government.

This is so that we, as a society, don’t end up in a Lord of the Flies situation. The government exists to preserve the social order, but do you know the #1 enemy to social order? The words of foolish people! Complaints, slander, gossip, hateful rhetoric are truly and completely some of the most dangerous things a person can do, like the spreading of a virus. James mentions this in his letter when he talks about the fire that is the tongue (3:6) and the kind of destruction it can cause. We see that today with the rampant rhetoric in social media. We live in a world where people today have forgotten that misused words carry consequences. Before, if you said something hurtful to the wrong person, you were liable to physically feel it. That’s certainly not a healthy response, but it was an expected one. But now, without those immediate consequences, people are bolder and a punch in the face became a mass shooting. Foolish talk, especially political in nature, is destroying our society and risking our civilization. This is the government’s realm and their plate is certainly full.

The Church Offers Hospitality

Peter assigns the exiles a different angle to consider in silencing the foolishness: by doing good. Back to the idea of good works again. What we do is so much more important than what we say! Fast forward from ancient Rome to 1979; Jerry Falwell and Paul Weyrich mobilized a movement of Christians to act as a political force and argue Christianity into being a political power (Wikipedia). History repeated itself. With Constantine in power, the church didn’t need to do good works, he forced people into the church by making it the state required religion. In turn, that forced countless people into the church, which got overwhelmed with polytheism and ended up becoming an organization of people instead of a movement of God. The culture’s response to legislated morality over the last 40 years certainly hasn’t been flooding the church; in fact, since 2000, about 40 million Americans have STOPPED attending church (www.wate.com). Instead of countering the foolish talk with kindness and good deeds, we forced it with legislation. I’m concerned that idea isn’t working out the way we hoped. It certainly wasn’t Peter’s intention for how the exiles should behave: live free as a servant of God, love others, and honor the very emperor who is seeking to eradicate them. Be kind and love with hospitality.

Next Steps

I’ve heard a lot of preachers talk against homosexuality. Not as many invite them into their homes for dinner. But I know that when we offer hospitality and love, the gospel shines through and fruit grows. Leave the government to its purpose and focus on building God’s Kingdom with our tables. You don’t need Trump, just Christ.

1. Stay off the government’s radar. Honor our leadership by obeying laws and speaking with respect.
2. Keep Christ above the government; He is the King of Kings.
3. Share the gospel by hospitality and kindness. No one accepts Christ from rhetoric.

We have a mandate from God (Matt 24:14) and don’t have time to waste on debates and defenses. We need to leave the government to itself and be on mission with our dinner tables.