Christian Rights and Protest Part 3 of 3

God is in Control

We might think that the only way in which things can be put right is by political or social means, or even by believing that good morals will finally conquer the bad. But this is not a biblical teaching. There is a much more far-reaching principle revealed in Scripture.

Despite appearances, God is in control and is active in the affairs of men and nations. Here is the plain teaching of the bible:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel 2:20-21)

“The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.” (Daniel 4:17)

The governments and rulers of men are appointed by God, whether these prove to be good or bad. God is working out His righteous and ultimate purpose using the materials to hand among sinful men. Nothing is beyond or out of His control. It might be objected that this is Old Testament teaching and is purely Jewish and altogether out-moded. It is certainly Old Testament teaching but it is repeated even more emphatically in the New.

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)

These words were written to believers in the city of Rome in a pagan empire. The Christian was not to seek to change the government. Protest, agitation and subversion were out of the question. To resist the government is to resist God's appointment. Let it be noted that it is not a question of whether the government is good or bad. Because God is in control, we should not resist His ordinance. If God is not in control, then man is and if man is, then there is no hope.

Citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom

Because he believes these things and knows that God rules in the kingdoms of men, the true disciple will not engage in politics, protest or war, but humbly and in faith follow his Master in accepting what God has ordained and in countering evil by goodness and obedience to the way of life lived by the Lord himself. He will not protest – yet he will proclaim his faith. He will not sign petitions – yet he will daily petition His father in prayer. He will not join the marchers – yet he will conduct a lifelong campaign on behalf of his Lord, “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh him a reason of the hope that is in him with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15)

His obedience will make itself known in his attitude towards the state. He will “render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's” (Matt 22:21); he will “pay tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:6,7); and he will be “subject to principalities and powers...obey magistrates...be ready to every good work, speak evil of no man...be no brawler...but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:1,2)

The disciple is primarily a citizen of the coming kingdom of God (Philippians 3:20,21) He knows and believes that there is no solution to the world's problems other than the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He seeks to live according to the laws of the coming kingdom of God; the disciple is an outpost of the coming kingdom and therefore a “stranger and pilgrim” in his own country (Heb 11:13 and 1 Peter 2:11,12). These are principles of the highest order. And they are realistic since they acknowledge the inability of man to govern himself and they confess confidence in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the appointed Prince of Peace.

Man is powerless to change the world; even disciples of Christ, who have been taught the will of God, must not presume to change the present order. When Jesus comes, however, he will have this authority, granted to him by his Father: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt 28:18).

The Final Question

There can be but one question: Am I prepared to believe these things? The call of Christ demands a complete reappraisal of my life – not just part of it, but the whole of it. I must surrender my so-called human rights and submit to the right of God in seeking me to serve Him. He is the Lord of heaven and earth, my Maker. His purpose and will are sovereign. I can no more save myself than the world can govern itself in peace. God does not blame us for this inability. He asks for a recognition of it and a faithful acceptance of the divine remedy, salvation in Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus was for our redemption and was a token that man without God is lost. The only way to everlasting life is by faith. Faith in God; faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The way of life described in these pages is one of deep contentment and certainty. No longer need I run the rat-race, or seek by assertion and protest to get the world put right my way. If I cannot unaided put myself right, then can I manage the world?

We have seen that discipleship is the only life with a future. Everlasting life in God's gracious kingdom here on earth is promised to all who believe that Christ is the appointed Savior and the Coming King. Without doubt he is coming back. We should prepare the meet him joyfully.

(This has been scaled down and edited for brevity's sake. Click here for entire original article)