Why do Christians...Make Good Citizens?

First off, I avoided posting about the elections on Tuesday because I didn’t want to add to the din emanating from…everywhere. Election news was on our televisions, Internet sites, emails, even texts on our phones. So, rather than adding to the confusion, I assumed you were adult enough to make a voting decision prior to the week of November 3.

Now that results are in, we need to look at the Christian’s responsibility post-election. Whether your camp is celebrating the shifting of Congressional power, decrying the results and means of achieving them, or simply wondering whether we’ll see a lame duck Administration that extends into 2028, the same question applies:

How do Christians make good citizens, regardless of where we reside politically?

I’m glad you asked, because this is a topic that can challenge even steadfast Christians. How do we react when the party in power changes hands? How do we support a President or Congress that holds ideologically different viewpoints? How do we engage the “other side” when political feelings can be of equal importance to spiritual ones?

Let’s start with an easy one:

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Rom 13:1)

The rest of this section of scripture describes obeying rules and laws, paying taxes, and avoiding conflict with duly appointed (read: elected) officials as a peaceful endeavor. Christians (and therefore Christian business people) are responsible to God for their choices in supporting or opposing our leadership – whether Republican, Democrat, Independent, Democratic Socialist, Green, or other. We will be held accountable for our actions, so act wisely.

But what about when we vehemently disagree with our leaders or when our leaders are outright evil? Well, the Bible addresses that too:

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. (1 Peter 2:18-19)

Beyond serving these leaders honorably as a reflection to Christ in us, we’re also instructed to pray for them.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:1-4)

That’s right, Servant Leader, we are responsible to God Himself if we don’t pray for the salvation, wise leadership, and deliverance of even evil leaders – whom God has seen fit to place over us for reasons only He can comprehend.

One more: As servant leaders, it is our responsibility to speak truth to power. The Bible is replete with examples where John (Matt 14:4), Nathan (2 Sam 12:7), and Elijah (1 Kings 18) confronted leaders when asked. Christians don’t seek opportunities to devalue or injure our leaders, but we don’t shy away from opportunities to show the light.

And finally, what do Christians (businesspeople) do when faced with a rule, law, or instruction that requires us to sin? (Honestly, how many rules, laws, or executive orders can you name that require sin as compliance? Go ahead – I’ll wait.) Well, our responsibility is to God, not to man (Exodus 1:17, Daniel 3 and 6, Acts 5).

But what does this all mean for Christians in GovCon?

First, like Joy isn’t reliant on happiness, obedience isn’t reliant on agreement. We may disagree with the direction or decisions of our leadership, but our holy responsibility is to enact them with the full faith and confidence of the company that employs us to do so. We might have literal proof that a leader ignored data and instead made an emotional business decision. That knowledge doesn’t absolve us of the responsibility to carry out that decision – regardless of whether it harms us career-wise. Short of sinning, our responsibility as servant leaders is to get on board whole heartedly – that’s good Christian stewardship.

Second, servant leaders return good for evil, not evil for evil. (Rom 12:17-21) What differs a Christian servant leader from anyone else in business if we plot against our leaders – even those with evil intentions? Even bad people wish good for those they agree with. Supporting and following those we don’t support, whether presidential or congressional, whether corporate or familial, whether male or female, is the charge of a Godly people.

Finally, and I’m speaking to everyone along the political spectrum after Tuesday’s election, we are charged with following Jesus’ example always.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (1 Peter 2:21-23)

So, as you go about your post-election lives, whether you support the results or object to them, remember this. Christians make good citizens (and therefore good businesspeople regardless of political leanings) because Jesus instructed us to.

It really is that simple.