Governments and constituted authorities are taught in Romans 13:1-7 to be God’s servants doing God’s work. Cyrus is described in Isaiah 46:11 as coming from a distant land to carry out God’s will. These passages imply that one aspect of God’s work on earth is governance. It is not all salvation, healing, deliverance, offerings and donations. Good governance is part of the will of God. Christians who insist on not participating in government are being foolish and irresponsible. People who are immoral and unjust will lord it over you if you refuse to govern.
Proverbs 29:2 (NLT) says, “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” In our quest to understand the divine purpose of governance, we can look to real-life examples that shine as beacons of light. One such luminary is Archbishop Desmond Tutu. His life was an embodiment of God’s work in the realm of governance. As a clergyman and human rights activist in apartheid-era South Africa, Tutu took on the formidable task of challenging a deeply unjust government system. He fearlessly spoke out against racial segregation and the oppressive policies of the apartheid regime.
Christians should not stay away from leadership and governance. It is a mistake that creates space for unjust and wicked people to rule. By being informed, voting wisely, and advocating for justice, we fulfill our divine purpose as responsible citizens. Let us not underestimate the impact of godly governance in bringing peace, prosperity, and God’s blessings to our nations. You should govern anywhere you find yourself. Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: if your gift is governance and administration, please govern without fear, according to the proportion of your faith.
