Two Swords (7)

But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”  Acts 4.19, 20

This is what the Lord says
When as Christians we “take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” into the arena where the political sword is wielded, we demonstrate, in the most direct way, the authority of God and His Word to rule the affairs of men and nations.

There must be no shying away from this, and no attempt to disguise our Scriptural convictions in the language of the common weal or right reason alone.

While right reason must certainly attend our use of Scripture in the public square, and the common weal will be among the ends we seek, the honor of God and the cause of His Kingdom are our first priority.

We must not hesitate to say and to demonstrate, even in our civic duties and endeavors, “This is what the Lord says.”

Three duties
The Christian wields the Sword of the Spirit in the arena of government in three ways.

First, by participation. In a free society such as ours, opportunities to participate in the political process, and thus to affect the ways the sword of politics is wielded, are available at many levels. Becoming informed, engaging in conversations, making use of local and national media, working for candidates and causes, joining a political party, voting, and serving in public office are just a few of these.

We also participate in government when we obey and support just laws, and give encouragement to those who serve according to the principles of goodness found in the Word of God, whether or not they are aware of their doing so (Prov. 28.4).

Second, Christians wield the Sword of the Spirit when they speak prophetically to the powers-that-be. How will rulers ever know to govern by good and just principles unless someone who knows such principles makes them known?

Anyone can criticize policies that are contrary to God’s Word. It’s quite another matter to take the time, demonstrate the grace, and practice the patience needed for protracted discussion and debate in the public square, through all the media and opportunities available there.

We must at all times remember that the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit. He wields His Word according to His good purposes. At times, when reasons fail and common sense is lacking, if the Word of God is clearly, winsomely, and unabashedly proclaimed, the Spirit may be pleased to use His Sword in ways that go beyond reason or common sense.

Finally, the Christian wields the Sword of the Spirit in the political arena by active protest against that which offends the holiness and justice of God. Such protests may be peaceable, or they may, all other recourse failing, require acts of civil disobedience. We shall have more to say about this in a later installment in this series

But if we are serious about God’s Truth, and we believe it to be the means toward a good and just society, we will not hesitate to stand up against whatever is contrary to Scripture by every legitimate means, and, those being exhausted, by outright disobedience to unjust laws.

God rules!
God rules in the affairs of men and nations. The Sword of the Spirit circumscribes the political sword in every nation. The judgment or blessing of God attends the work of those who bear the two swords under which we live.

Civil magistrates must bear their sword according to the good purposes of God’s calling. Believers must bear their Sword for the same ends, and they must “take” the civil sword in their hands to the full extent of the freedoms and responsibilities granted them as citizens of the City of Man.

But God’s Sword must rule over all. And the way this is made manifest to the watching world is when the followers of Christ, through participation, prophecy, and protest, take their stand squarely on the Word of God and call their rulers to acknowledge their duty before Him.

Next Steps: Ask your prayer partner to work through this study with you. Make a copy for him or her, then agree to meet, say, weekly, to work through each lesson and pray together.

T. M. Moore

This week’s study, Two Swords, is part 1 of a 5-part series on The King’s Heart, a Biblical view of government and politics, and is available as a free download by clicking here. We cannot understand God’s view of government, or how to function in a political environment apart from faith in King Jesus and His rule. Order T. M.’s book The Kingship of Jesus to supplement our studies of God and government.

We’re pleased to bring ReVision to you daily, and ReVision studies each week in PDF at no charge. Please visit our website, www.ailbe.org to learn about the many study topics available. Your gifts to The Fellowship of Ailbe make this ministry possible. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.