Today is the second day of the 2025 General Assembly session, where 138 legislators from all corners of the Commonwealth convene to consider laws to (hopefully) make us a more just and better society. Often forgotten is that elected leaders are one part of the equation of making our society a better place to live. Citizens play a role in governing by sharing their perspective with legislators and testifying before committees. But what, if any, is a Christian’s responsibility to government?
I was interviewed on a podcast earlier this week and asked how to respond to Christians who say that, “God doesn’t care about the form of government” and that, “Christians should focus on sharing the gospel and getting people into church, not politics or governments.” My response was that the people who say this should try living under a secular dictator like North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. The form of government matters. Consider a few Christian principles about government and a believer’s relationship to it.
Christianity teaches that government is created by God (Romans 13:1). We see God’s people engaging in statecraft throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, and Joseph counseled pagan kings. In the New Testament, John the Baptist confronted King Herod for his immorality (Mark 6:18). And the Apostle Paul appealed to Caesar when his rights as a Roman citizen were violated (Acts 25:11). God clearly raises up His people to influence and serve governmental leaders.
Christianity teaches respect for governmental leaders. Believers are obligated to respect authorities in government (1 Peter 2:13-14). In fact, Christians are told to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.” Believers are also told to pay taxes (Romans 13:7). Jesus affirmed this when he said to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” While government has the authority to exact taxation, so much more of life falls outside its realm. Clearly, government authority has its limits. When government oversteps, especially in the realm of conscience, believers have an obligation to first obey their Creator (Acts 5:29).
Christianity teaches an ethical framework for society. Scripture teaches that there is a moral compass, and it is established by the Creator of the universe (Exodus 20:1-17). When such principles are embraced, they benefit all of society. The moral law was handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai, and its basic tenets are still embraced today—even in secular society. Theft, murder, and bearing false witness are recognized as crimes in our civil laws. Government is charged to punish evil (Romans 13:4) and protect citizens from criminals.
Christianity teaches a high view of human rights. As image bearers (Genesis 1:26-28), every person is endowed with incredible dignity and value. Good government policy is bound to uphold the dignity of each human being. This includes respecting the realm of individual conscience, freedom to worship, and respecting individual capacity in their work. The doctrine of the imago dei when embraced leads to a very different society than one based on a humanistic and evolutionary view of humanity.
Simply put, a person’s worth isn’t based on fame, wealth, or talent. Nor is a person merely a cog in the wheels of the state. People have value because the Creator says they have value. This idea benefits everyone—believers and nonbelievers alike.
Christianity teaches high standards for believers in society. Believers are told to be self-controlled (1 Peter 4:7), to temper their appetites (Proverbs 23:2), and tame the tongue (Ephesians 4:23, James 1:26). We’re to guard ourselves from temptations (Ephesians 5:15-17) and things that lead to addictions. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians he reminds them to live according to the Fruit of the Spirit, to be filled with God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). These traits lived out result in harmony and peace in society.
Christianity teaches to seek peace and the good of their communities. Christianity teaches that believers are to live their faith publicly (Matthew 5:14) and for the good of others (Philippians 2:4-5). When this happens, the good deeds bring praise and points others to God (Matthew 5:16). In the Old Testament, Jeremiah told the exiles in Babylon to be good citizens, even under a pagan regime. “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:4). Working for the welfare of the community is a form of loving your neighbor and hence brings glory to God.
These principals aren’t exhaustive, but I hope they remind you that government is God’s idea meant for our good. It may not always seem that way in a day where examples of overreach and incompetence abound. Allow me to challenge you to pray for your leaders. Then use your freedom to influence them, particularly our state leaders, as they meet in Frankfort for the next couple of months.