The Apolitical Christian

Although modern American Christianity and politics seem to be joined at the hip, church and state are two very different things and should be kept separate according to the Bible.

This article attempts to explain why some Christians, including myself, are apolitical. This is rare in today's Christian culture, but those of us who take a Biblical stand on this topic do exist outside of Amish communities.

Ambassadors for Christ

II Corinthians 5:20 tells us:

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

From this verse we see that Christians are the ambassadors of Christ, His representatives on earth. As such, we have a great responsibility. We have been given a job to do, and any time spent on earthly politics takes away from what should be our main purpose, serving God.

Strangers and Pilgrims

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." ~ I Peter 2:11

We are pilgrims and strangers here on earth. As pilgrims in a strange land, we have no business meddling in the affairs of the government of this land. Ultimately, our citizenship is in Heaven.

Biblical Attitude Towards the State

Then what is the correct Biblical attitude towards the state? In the book of Romans we are told that there is no power but of God and that the powers that be are ordained of God.

It also says:

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers." ~Romans 13:1

and

"Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God." ~Romans 13:2

This makes it clear that all governments and leaders are ordained of God and deserve the Christian's respect.

Honor and Pray

The Bible tells us that we are to honor and pray for our leaders:

"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Honour the king." ~I Peter 2:17

"I exhort, therefore, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."~ I Timothy 2:1,2

Submit

We are to submit to authority:

"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to do every good work." ~Titus 3:1

Final Thoughts

Christians should pray for, honor and obey the leaders of their government, keeping in mind that all authority is ordained of God, whether we think their actions good or evil.

In order to effectively fulfill our duties as ambassadors of Christ, we must forsake non-Biblical distractions, including politics, and remember that our first allegiance is to God (Acts 4:19, 5:29).