Christians spend enormous amounts of energy talking about government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We debate elections, candidates, policies, courts, taxes, schools, regulations, and the direction of the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those conversations matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, there may be a more uncomfortable question Christians need to ask first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What if an expanding government is sometimes a symptom of a shrinking Church?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When families<\/strong> become weaker, communities<\/strong> become disconnected, and churches<\/strong> withdraw from the practical needs of their neighbors, those needs do not disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something eventually fills the vacuum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Increasingly, that something is government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, the problem may not simply be that government has become too large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps, we also need to ask<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What became too small?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The family?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The local church?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The neighborhood?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Christian charity?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Personal responsibility?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Community?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer may be some combination of all of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scripture does not present the Church and civil government as interchangeable institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They have distinctly different responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul describes civil authority this way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing.\u201d \u2014 Romans 13:4 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The government has the authority to restrain evil, punish wrongdoing, preserve public order, and administer justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peter likewise writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSubmit yourselves for the Lord\u2019s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.\u201d \u2014 1 Peter 2:13\u201314 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The government therefore has a legitimate biblical function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Scripture gives the Church a very different mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Church is called to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus did not commission the Church to become Caesar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He commissioned the Church to make disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations.\u201d \u2014 Matthew 28:19 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n That distinction matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christians should participate in public life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Christians should vote.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And<\/strong> Christians should run for office.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Christians should serve as judges, police officers, legislators, governors, school-board members, and presidents.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our faith should absolutely shape how we understand justice, truth, human dignity, marriage, life, responsibility, and morality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there is a profound difference between Christians serving faithfully in government<\/strong> and the Church attempting to become the government<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Church does not need political control in order to fulfill its mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its greatest power has never come from legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It comes from the Gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul wrote: \u201cFor I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.\u201d \u2014 Romans 1:16 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n That is a different kind of power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Government can restrain behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gospel transforms hearts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Government can punish theft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gospel can transform a thief.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Government can prosecute violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gospel can transform an angry heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Government can regulate certain behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gospel produces repentance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The two institutions therefore accomplish different things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider the picture of the early Church in Acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luke writes: \u201cFor there was not a needy person among them.\u201d \u2014 Acts 4:34 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n That is extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notice what Scripture does not say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It does not say that Rome created a social program that eliminated need among Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The believers cared for one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They voluntarily shared resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They recognized responsibility toward their brothers and sisters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And they lived as a genuine community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That model has enormous implications for our own society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider what happens when the Church takes its responsibilities seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a widow is struggling, the Church responds.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When a family cannot make ends meet, Christians help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And<\/strong> when a young man has no father, mature Christian men disciple him.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When a marriage is struggling, believers surround the couple before the relationship collapses.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When someone loses a job, members of the congregation help him find opportunity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And<\/strong> when an elderly neighbor needs transportation, Christians step forward.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When a single mother needs support, the Church becomes a community around her.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When someone struggles with addiction, the Church offers truth, accountability, grace, and restoration.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n That is what the body of Christ is supposed to look like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul wrote: \u201cBear one another\u2019s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.\u201d If Christians truly lived that verse, our communities would look dramatically different.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Human needs do not vanish when Christians neglect them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If families stop caring for one another, another institution eventually intervenes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If churches stop helping the poor, society begins to ask the government to solve poverty.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And<\/strong> if communities stop correcting destructive behavior, government increasingly regulates behavior.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If fathers disappear, enormous systems are eventually created to deal with the consequences.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If neighbors stop helping neighbors, centralized institutions become the substitute.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A pattern develops:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weak families \u2192 weak churches \u2192 weak communities \u2192 unmet needs \u2192 increased demand for government intervention.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then something else happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the government assumes responsibilities that once belonged primarily to families, churches, and communities, people begin to expect it to handle them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eventually another cycle emerges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Civil society weakens \u2192 government expands \u2192 civil society becomes less necessary \u2192 civil society weakens further.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n That should concern Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not because every government program is inherently evil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather, because Christians should ask whether we have abandoned responsibilities Scripture gave to us.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is easy for Christians to point toward Washington and complain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is more difficult to look inward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus repeatedly warned against hypocrisy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy do you look at the speck that is in your brother\u2019s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?\u201d \u2014 Matthew 7:3 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Perhaps the Church sometimes asks government to become smaller while refusing to become stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We cannot demand that government stop caring for the needy while Christians refuse to care for them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We cannot complain about broken families while churches fail to disciple fathers and mothers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And<\/strong> we cannot condemn cultural decline while barely knowing the people living next door.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We cannot lament loneliness while our congregations remain collections of strangers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We cannot demand personal responsibility from society while excusing irresponsibility inside our own communities.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Correction should begin with the household of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peter writes: \u201cFor it is time for judgment to begin with the househol<\/strong>d of God.\u201d \u2014 1 Peter 4:17 NASB<\/p>\n\n\n\n That verse should produce humility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The solution is not primarily anger toward government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The solution is repentance, responsibility, and renewed faithfulness within the Church.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is another important distinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christians should not advocate weak government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Civil government needs enough authority to perform the responsibilities God has given it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A biblical government should be strong where government legitimately belongs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It should prosecute violent criminals.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It should protect innocent life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And it should enforce lawful contracts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It should punish fraud.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It should defend the nation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And<\/strong> it should preserve public order.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It should protect citizens from genuine injustice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n That is not overreach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is government fulfilling its legitimate function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, a government can be strong while remaining limited<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong in justice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Limited in scope.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong against crime.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Limited in intrusion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong in protecting liberty.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Limited in replacing the family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong in administering justice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Limited in trying to become society\u2019s parent, pastor, provider, and moral caretaker.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The ideal is not powerless government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is properly ordered government<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A healthy society requires strong institutions operating within their proper responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The family raises children, teaches responsibility, provides care, transmits values, builds an inheritance, and creates a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scripture places enormous responsibility upon parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTrain up a child in the way he should go, even when he grows older he will not abandon it.\u201d \u2014 Proverbs 22:6 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The Church proclaims Christ, makes disciples, teaches truth, exercises spiritual accountability, cares for the vulnerable, and creates genuine Christian community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n James writes: \u201cPure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress.\u201d \u2014 James 1:27 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Government preserves public justice and restrains wrongdoing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Problems arise when one institution attempts to absorb the responsibilities of the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Government cannot replace a father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A government agency cannot replace Christian fellowship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A bureaucracy cannot manufacture love between neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A law cannot make someone generous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A regulation cannot produce compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are primarily matters of character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And character is formed much closer to home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most remarkable facts about early Christianity is that the disciples were not given political control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rome controlled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Christians possessed none of those things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What did they possess?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And eventually Christianity transformed the Roman world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That should teach us something about the nature of Christian influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus said: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are the salt of the earth.\u201d \u2014 Matthew 5:13 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.\u201d \u2014 Matthew 5:14 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Salt works by being present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Light works by shining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Neither requires domination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faithful Christian influence works outward from transformed people to transformed families, churches, communities, institutions, and, eventually, culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a temptation among Christians to believe that electing the correct leaders will save the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elections matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leadership matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Law matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But politics has limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A president cannot make a father love his children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Congress cannot make husbands faithful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Supreme Court cannot produce generosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A governor cannot make neighbors care for one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A statute cannot create repentance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Government can restrain certain expressions of evil; it cannot regenerate the human heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Only Christ can do that.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, Christians must never confuse political victory with spiritual renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n America could elect every candidate we prefer and still remain spiritually sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, genuine revival would inevitably transform society because transformed people make different choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They become different husbands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different wives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And different employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And different leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The political consequences eventually follow the spiritual transformation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Scripture repeatedly demonstrates that national decline begins deeper than political leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Israel\u2019s problems were rarely confined to the palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Idolatry spread among the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Families compromised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Justice collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The vulnerable were exploited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Truth became negotiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then corrupt leadership followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The prophets therefore did not merely demand better kings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They called the people to repentance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The principle remains relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Government often reflects the moral condition of the culture that produces it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the Church has enormous influence over that culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means Christians should absolutely care about elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But we should care even more about discipleship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because discipleship produces the people who eventually elect leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps Christians should begin asking: How do we make the Church stronger?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What if every congregation seriously cared for the widows in its community?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if Christian businessmen actively created employment opportunities for struggling families?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And what if older Christian men intentionally discipled fatherless young men?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if financially stable couples came alongside young families?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if churches created meaningful networks for childcare, elder care, mentoring, counseling, employment, addiction recovery, and emergency assistance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And what if Christians knew the names of the people living next door?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if believers took Jesus literally when He said: \u201cYou shall love your neighbor as yourself.\u201d \u2014 Matthew 22:39 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Government would still exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Government would still have responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But some of the pressure placed on government would diminish because Christians were faithfully meeting needs before they became crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This may be one of the most important distinctions Christians can make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our first question should not be: How do Christians gain more political power?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It should be: How do Christians become more faithful?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Power without character becomes dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Authority without humility becomes oppressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Political influence without discipleship eventually becomes indistinguishable from ordinary tribal politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus warned His disciples about this very temptation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you.\u201d \u2014 Matthew 20:25\u201326 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Christian leadership must look different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We do not abandon influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We redefine it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And we lead by serving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We persuade through truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We sacrifice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And we protect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We take responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is Christian strength.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps the principle can be stated simply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Church does not need to become the State to transform the nation. The Church needs to become the Church.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When Christians faithfully live out the Gospel, their influence spreads naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong Christians create stronger families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong families create healthier churches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Healthy churches create stronger communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong communities require fewer outside interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And healthier communities eventually produce healthier government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The path therefore looks something like this: Transformed hearts \u2192 strong families \u2192 faithful churches \u2192 healthy communities \u2192 responsible citizens \u2192 better government.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Politics comes near the end of that sequence, not the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This should encourage us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We do not need permission from Washington to begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No election prevents Christians from loving their neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No legislature prevents a church from caring for widows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And no executive order prevents Christian men from mentoring young men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No Supreme Court decision prevents believers from feeding hungry families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No political party controls our ability to obey Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We can begin today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul wrote: \u201cSo then, while we have opportunity, let\u2019s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.\u201d \u2014 Galatians 6:10 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n That is where renewal begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not with outrage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not with fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And not merely with winning elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With obedience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The nation does not simply need more Christians demanding better government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It needs more Christians becoming better neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More faithful husbands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More devoted wives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And more involved fathers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More compassionate churches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More generous business owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And more courageous pastors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More responsible citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More believers who actually live as though Jesus Christ is Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And perhaps, as the Church becomes stronger in the responsibilities God has given it, we will discover that government no longer needs to become stronger in areas it was never meant to control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christians should pray for good government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We should support just laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We should serve faithfully in public office when called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And we should resist tyranny and defend liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But our greatest hope cannot rest in government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our hope is Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And our greatest contribution to society may not be the capture of political institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may be rebuilding the institutions God already gave us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then government can return to doing what government does best: administering justice while leaving room for families, churches, and communities to flourish.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A strong Church does not require a weak nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It helps produce a strong nation with a properly limited government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that begins when Christians stop waiting for someone else to solve the problems around us and begin asking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLord, what responsibility have You already placed in front of me?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhoever knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin.\u201d \u2014 James 4:17 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The opportunity is already before us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May the Church become strong, not primarily in political power, but in faithfulness, holiness, generosity, courage, service, truth, and love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And may our communities become stronger because the people of God decided once again to be the Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A healthy society does not require the Church to become the government. It requires the Church to faithfully become the Church. When Christians care for neighbors, strengthen families, serve communities, and live out the Gospel, the pressure for government to fill those abandoned responsibilities diminishes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4129,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2930,618,2931,2929,2932],"tags":[2927,2941,2925,2934,1584,919,2924,2942,1459,2412,2921,2937,2940,2938,30,2939,1995,2922,2926,2935,2933,2923,2436,2936],"class_list":["post-4128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-biblical-leadership","category-christian-living","category-church-society","category-faith-culture","category-government-politics","tag-acts-4","tag-biblical-citizenship","tag-biblical-government","tag-biblical-leadership","tag-christian-citizenship","tag-christian-community","tag-christian-nationalism","tag-christian-political-thought","tag-christian-responsibility","tag-christian-worldview","tag-church-and-state","tag-church-responsibility","tag-civil-society","tag-community-service","tag-discipleship","tag-faith-and-politics","tag-gospel-transformation","tag-limited-government","tag-loving-your-neighbor","tag-personal-responsibility","tag-role-of-government","tag-role-of-the-church","tag-romans-13","tag-strong-families"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\n\n\nThe Church and Government Have Different God-Given Roles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\nThe Church Should Not Become the State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA Strong Church Reduces the Demand for an Overreaching Government<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Galatians 6:2 NASB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhen the Church Withdraws, Government Often Enters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBefore Complaining About Government, the Church Should Examine Itself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\nStrong Government Is Not the Same as Big Government<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Family, Church, and Government Each Have a Sphere<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Family<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
The Church<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Government<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nChristianity Changes Society From the Inside Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\nPolitics Cannot Accomplish What Discipleship Must Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Government Often Reflects the People Beneath It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Better Question Is Not Merely, \u201cHow Do We Make Government Smaller?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nChristian Influence Should Begin With Responsibility, Not Power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\nThe Church Does Not Need to Become the State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA Positive Vision for the Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFinal Thought<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Suggested Reading<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"