How is a Christian supposed to view and relate to an earthly government? Is it by getting involved with the system, trying to reform it, or is there a different way? I believe the Bible gives clear answers to this issue.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (1 Tim. 2:1-2)
Verses like these encourage us to remember our government leaders in prayer, not to get involved in politics and try to bring about godliness through a corrupt system.
We also must realize that God calls us to be subject to all "higher powers" (Rom 13:1). God has set up and allowed all governments, no matter how evil they appear to be. For some reason, in God's divine sovereignty, He allows corrupt politicans and rulers to be set up over people. Think of Jesus, He lived under the most corrupt and missued political powers of His day (Rome), but He did not speak out against it or try to reform it. Instead He went about His Father's business which was healing the physically and spiritually broken people around Him.
However, if our leaders are telling us to do something that goes against the Word of God, we must not do it. We have to be like the apostles and the early church and obey God rather than man.
A verse that brings much comfort to me is Proverbs 21:1, "The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will." The Lord rules over all, including wicked men who seem to have much power and use it for evil purposes. All of God's children can rest in the fact that He rules and reigns in the heavens and no matter what men say and do, He can work it for good. PTL!
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