“See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’” Deuteronomy 4.5, 6

Christians have a responsibility to shape public policy according to the wisdom and understanding of the Law of God.

Nations deserve good governments (Rom. 13.1-5), and good governments require wisdom and understanding so that rulers may make and administer just laws in every area of society. The Law of God is good, as we have seen (Rom. 7.12); so we are not surprised to discover that not only our forebears but our contemporaries – whether or not they are aware of it or would agree – look to the Law of God to shape aspects of American legal practice and public policy.

But there is always room to improve justice and neighbor-love in ways consistent with the teaching of God’s Law. Christians are called to show by their lives – individually and as communities – the beauty and goodness of the Law of God, going beyond the letter of the Law to the breathtaking newness of its Spirit, thereby demonstrating the love, mercy, and justice of God’s Law in ways that cause their neighbors to wonder.

But beyond living out the holy and righteous and good requirements of God’s Law (Rom. 7.12; 3.31), Christians must seek to shape public policy in the direction of God’s shalom (Jer. 29.7; 1 Tim. 2.1-8). Christians know the peace of God as the fruit of His Spirit which passes all understanding (Gal. 5.22, 23; Phil. 4.6, 7). They are citizens of a Kingdom in which peace is the gift and possession of all (Rom. 14.17, 18). And they are called to live at peace with all men (Rom. 12.18) and to seek the peace and wellbeing of the nations to which God has sent them.

This they do in three ways, first, and most importantly, by their prayers and lives.

In addition, like Joseph and Daniel and countless others, Christians must be prepared to seek the peace of God for their neighbors by taking part in the actual work of government. They must be willing to serve in the political or governmental arena as opportunity allows or necessity requires, seeing this as a calling from God to extend the righteousness, peace, and joy of His Kingdom through the instruments of civil government.

Finally, Christians seek the peace of their communities and nation by working to influence and shape the policies of government. In a democracy, where “we the people” are the final word in public policy, Christians must be especially active in seeking to bring glory to God by the laws and policies enacted and administered in their name and for their wellbeing. Persuasion is the vehicle we use to accomplish such God-honoring ends. There are times when other kinds of action are appropriate – civil disobedience, for example, and even rebellion – but these are not the common or everyday recourse of the citizen/believer.

T. M. Moore

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