God Does Not Believe In Democracy

God does not believe in democracy.

I hope that doesn’t come as a shock to you, especially if you are a dedicated student of God’s word. Don't get me wrong. I love living in America and being a US citizen. It is undeniable that we have been blessed to live in a country where so far we have been able to personally embrace the faith God has breathed into us, largely without persecution or opposition. But it baffles me how many Christians, especially American Christians have so inextricably linked their faith with their patriotism that it is hard to see any boundary between the two.

When we look at things with God’s eyes, we will find that the many categories and distinctions we invent as human beings are greatly reduced and simplified. Where we see Baptists, Presbyterians, “Non-denominationals”, God sees ONE church comprised of a subset of individuals —only the ones sealed with the Holy Spirit— who identify themselves with each of those labels. Where we see Jew, African, Latin-American, European, Asian, Caucasian, Black, etc., scripture clarifies the only two categories are Jew and Gentile (i.e. not Jew). In God’s eyes there are only two kinds of government: His government (a Theocracy), and democracies of various different flavors. 

Democracy is quintessentially defined as “a government of the people, by the people and for the people.” You can travel the entire globe and you will not find a single government that does not fit this definition. All earthly governments have been invented by people, they are run by people and are established to serve, you guessed it, people. They only differ in how many ‘people’s’ interests are actually represented.

So it should come as no surprise to you when your beloved democracy fails to uphold the Biblical values that define you as a Christian. Brothers and sisters, yes, God’s hand was mightily involved in the formation of the United States, just as much as He was involved in the establishment of all nations:

Daniel 2:21
“It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.”

And, yes, the founding fathers subscribed to moral values and ethics, most of which aligned with Biblical principles. That does not make the US a “Christian country”. A democracy, as we define it, is essentially a human (and humanistic) government with its roots in the very pagan Greek and Roman civilizations. Anything human in origin is by definition sinful and corrupt. It eventually decays and crumbles from within, because of its very essence. Simply put, a government by people is not led by God.

Do you want an example from scripture? We have only to look at Israel, a PEOPLE hand-selected and anointed by God. At every turn they forsook and opposed the leading of their pillar of cloud and fire (God’s very presence, which later dwelt among them in the Tabernacle and Templ), and sought to build their nation based on alliances with the Canaanites who led them into rampant idolatry. These same people eschewed God’s leadership and clamored to be ruled by human kings. That experiment did not end well.

When you celebrate your country’s freedom, do be thankful for all you have been given and for the country where you live, but remember that your thanks ought to be directed principally to the God who provided for you this portion on earth. Celebrate the freedom in your country with your eyes open, considering that we define freedom in human terms, and that freedom is a double-edged sword. It equally protects those who would use our lips to bless God as much as those would would use their lips to curse Him. It gives us the freedom to elect people who uphold Biblical principles, or just as easily to elect those who deny God’s existence and proclaim the absence of any moral statutes. When the choice is left in the hands of people, people will follow their sinful nature. There is none righteous, no not one. No one seeks after God. (Romans 3:10-11)

When you look at your faith and your country, can you clearly see the distinction? What is your citizenship? Are you an American who believes in Christ, or are you a Christian who lives in America?

Take a look at Paul’s warning to the Philipians. Don’t focus on the earthly things as those who follow their own appetite do. Your citizenship is in Heaven. Our focus needs to be on eternity. Our lives need to reflect the peace of the knowledge we have received.

Philipians 3:18-21
18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

At the end of the age, Christ Jesus, the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” is coming to establish a government. It will most definitely NOT be a democracy. Isaiah 9:6 tells us “the government shall be upon His shoulder.” The whole government, all of it, what Jesus says goes. There will be no voting; nothing will be ruled by committee. “Yes” or “No” from the mouth of God; no gray areas. 

I am infinitely grateful that I have been given the unmerited gift of trading my paper passport for the one that will allow me to enjoy the boundless peace, joy and prosperity that awaits us in God’s Kingdom.