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In the Old Testament, people were not expected to be completely focused on God to be a member of God’s Kingdom; after all, beyond a few issues, God’s Law did not actually cover much of a person’s life, unless he happened to be a priest, Levite, or prophet. Those who were not in these groups, yet wanted to live in a way that was more focused on God than the ordinary, could become a Nazarite, but this tended to be a temporary thing, performed only for a specified period. Evangelism outside the Israelite nation appears to have hardly even been considered. For most of those who wanted to live a life of service to God, there basically remained only one option—enter the national scene, in government or the army.

In Old Testament Israelite military and government, one could work toward making God’s Kingdom work the way that God had laid out in the Law, so they were a good place for those who desired to live a life of service to God. Since God’s Kingdom was limited to Israel, it would seem important that people work toward keeping Israel following God’s Law, as well as protected from invasion—after all, if enemy forces overran Israel, then God’s Israelite Kingdom would be gone! So government enabled a person to serve God and work for His Kingdom.

In the New Testament, God gives no set of rules for government. There are no instructions for rulers. There are no instructions for civil government. So we cannot claim to be bringing about God’s will in politics, because He has not revealed His will for politicians. The Old Testament Law will not serve for the New Testament era because it was focused on the nation of Israel. For example, look at Mark 10:5, where Christ specifically said that one of the precepts in the Law of Moses was given because the Israelites were too hard-hearted for God to tell them His true will. Obviously, the Law was given specifically for the nation of Israel. We cannot work God’s will for government when God has not told us His will for government. There can be no such thing as a “Christian nation” because Christianity has no precepts for government!

In the New Testament, the church has a mission to conquer the world for Christ, not by militancy, but by love. “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:2) “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20) “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45) Everyone must be devoted to God to be a member of His Kingdom. Each one of us must live a life focused on and devoted to God, working for the expansion of His kingdom through evangelism and holiness.

Politics is something that we like to utilize because people, even those in the world, understand politics as a powerful force. When we use politics, we can even recruit non-Christians to help us in our fight for a better culture. But the Bible is clear that in the New Testament, God has specifically not chosen this sort of thing. As you read the following passage from I Corinthians 1, think about how it relates to politics.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:17-31)

This passage reveals to us that God specifically chose to use, in the New Testament era, things that seem like foolishness and weakness to work His will. It’s interesting to notice that while virtually everyone would agree that the Bible teaches (Ephesians 2:8-9) that God has not chosen good works for salvation, because that would allow man to boast, few will admit that God has not chosen politics for the improvement of morality—because that would allow man to boast, as seen in this passage. God chose the preaching of the gospel as His way to change the world, although it seemed, and still seems to many, a weak and foolish tool that needs to be supplemented or replaced, by politics, for example, if the church is to have “real” power. God chose the gospel above “powerful” methods because He wants us to use His power, not our own, so that we can rejoice in His power, not glory in our own.