Citizen Project
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:14
Christians as Citizens
Our Perspective
At Cherry Hills Community Church, we encourage thoughtful consideration of how to express our identity as Christians and as citizens. We believe the love of Christ can compel us to be much better citizens than could any laws established by government.
God calls each of us to serve in different ways. Your involvement might include becoming educated on the issues, casting your vote, petitioning leaders on public policy, and perhaps even running for office.
In all these things, Cherry Hills affirms our highest goal is always to honor Christ. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), so we must keep in mind: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).
At the same time, we’re also earthly citizens, and as such: “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Romans 13:1). Therefore, whether we agree or disagree with certain policy positions and decisions, let’s speak and act in a respectful manner toward our government leaders and fellow citizens.
Finally, let’s be thoughtful in how we apply the principles of Scripture, yet also aware of the secular aspects of the issues. When we encounter differing social or political views among Christians, remember that we’re committed to the greater call of unity in the
Essentials of Our Faith.
Questions to Consider
-
Are you registered to vote?
-
How do you come to understand the pros and cons of an issue, including faith, to inform your conscience and your vote?
-
What are your particular God-given gifts or passions that might lead you to engage in certain policy issues?
Faith Perspectives from Scripture
“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” (Exodus 18:21) - advice from Jethro, a priest, to his son-in-law, Moses, regarding leadership of the people of Israel
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” (Romans 13:1-4) - written circa 56-57 A.D. by the Apostle Paul to Christians living under Roman rule
“The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.” (Psalm 34:15-16)
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to people.” (Proverbs 14:34)
“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2)
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
Words from History
In the 1600s, men and women of deep spiritual convictions came to the colonies that eventually formed the United States of America. Many had faced persecution because their beliefs differed from dominant religious groups that held political power in Europe. These early settlers came in search of freedom—particularly the freedom to worship God according to their own faith.
Many of our nation’s founders believed God to be sovereign over all nations; they therefore believed each nation would answer to God and be judged by him (Psalm 2). In establishing a representative republic of “we the people,” our founders understood that each citizen must be at liberty to determine his private and public affairs according to his own conscience and belief.
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.” —George Washington, First U.S. President, in his Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
Within three years of the first Congressional session in 1789, the Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution. As colonial religious sects struggled to gain their own identity separate from each other and any state imposed religion, early lawmakers ratified freedom of religion in the First Amendment, along with freedom of speech and the press, then the right to peaceable assembly and to petition the government.
“Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievances.” —The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Thirteen years after the ratification of the Bill of Rights, Thomas Jefferson wrote of “a wall of separation between church and state” to reassure a group of clergy that, in his opinion, the government's hands were tied from interfering with, or in any way controlling, matters of religion.
“Believing with you that religion is a matter that lies solely between man and his god [sic], that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only and not opinions, I contemplate with solemn reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; thus building a wall of separation between church and state.” —Thomas Jefferson, Third U.S. President, in his letter to Danbury Baptist Association, January 1, 1802
“The real objective of the First Amendment was not to countenance, much less to advance, Mohammedanism, or Judaism, or infidelity, by prostrating Christianity, but to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects and to prevent any national ecclesiastical patronage of the national government.” —Alabama Judge Brevard Hand, in a 1983 ruling on Jaffree v. Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County, quotes 19th century United States Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story
The “separation” phrase does not prohibit the “free exercise” of people of faith taking part in the affairs of government, nor does it limit religious expression to private contexts. Christians—as all citizens, regardless of religion—have a rightful place and voice in the public square. By our example and involvement, we have the opportunity to demonstrate and advocate moral leadership. Both church and state have separate and significant roles in advancing the greater good of our nation and the world.
“Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.” — John Adams, Second U.S. President, in his letter to Zabdiel Adams, June 21, 1776
When Christians engage as citizens, we must be careful not to claim that God is on the side of one particular political party, but instead focus on the principles of Scripture that shape our faith and conscience.
“The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party—and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose.” — Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President, speaking in the context of the Civil War
Resources:
Contact
Keri Brehm
303-325-8382