MEMORY VERSE:‘’And hast made us unto our God Kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 5:10.
BIBLE PASSAGE:Romans 13:1-6.
INTRODUCTION
The opinion held by some Christians is that if they are going to follow Christ, they must be quiet and withdrawn from things happening on the Earth, this mindset negates the will of God. As a matter of fact, Christ has called believers unto a life of influence, control, and dominion Psalm 8:6. They are to charge Deuteronomy 28:13 and the issue of governance is of no expectation. As the light of the world, they are to dispel the darkness of unrighteous living, sycophancy, corruption, compromise, lies etc.which are the order of the day, in the present-day government systems of the world.
OUTLINE
1.GOD’S VIEW ON EARTHLY GOVERNANCE
2. WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN GOVERNANCE.
1.GOD’S VIEW ON EARTHLY GOVERNANCE
God instituted governance. It is not a secular concept or people’s creation. God is the ultimate “Governor” who delegates the function to humans Psalm 22:28. It is one of the purposes for which man was created Genesis 1:26. It is a calling and manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit 1 Timothy 4:12; Romans 12:8. It is a tool for orderliness and sanity Titus 1:5; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Exodus 18:21. It is instituted by God for administration, justice and the general welfare of humanity Psalm 72:4,13; 1 Timothy 2:2. Like marriage, it is instituted by God and should be submitted to, Mark 12:17; Romans 13:1-2. Governance is servanthood. It is a means of serving the governed Matthew 20:25-28. Governance is a ministry and governors are ministers of God Romans 13:3-4.
2. WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN GOVERNANCE.
- It is part of our inherent responsibilities as believers Genesis 1:26; Matthew 5:15-16.
- To effect positive and lasting change Genesis 41:46-57.
- Good governance makes a nation stand out among other nations Proverbs 14:34.
- To make righteous laws and decrees that lead to national progress Exodus 18:16; Proverbs 8:15.
- It is obeying God’s ordinance of submission to authority Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 2:13-14; Romans 13:1-2.
- It brings blessings and breakthrough on the nation and fulfilment for her citizenry Proverbs 11:10.
- Governance is God’s institution and so the people of God should not be kept out of God’s institution Romans 13:1-6.
- To avoid paying the costly price of bad leadership 2 Samuel 23:3.
CONCLUSION
Believers should take their rightful place in deciding the destiny of their nations and turn this world to the Kingdom of our God which is God’s divine mandate for us.