Christianity did not begin as a political movement. Christianity cannot exist as God intended in political form. Christianity shall not succeed through political efforts. It is easy to say, "Amen! Amen!" to those statements as most of us agree hypothetically. However, it is easy to question that statement in the grinding, abrasive realties of our world.
It is one thing to declare that the key to the advancement of Christianity is not political control of favoritism, but quite another to trust that statement when Christianity is opposed by society and political forces. Society and governments have never been constructive influences in promoting/achieving spiritual values.
For a moment, consider a contrast. What if we collectively were not wealthy enough to solve problems with money? If all we collectively and individually had was faith in Jesus Christ, could we export faith? How? What if we collectively were not technologically advanced to the point that we could send equipped medical missions, or eye care services, or feed the starving in some deprived conditions in other places? If all we had was faith in Jesus Christ, could we send faith? How? If we could not afford to send and support missionaries, could we still do mission work? Could faith in Jesus Christ continue to bless other people? How would those efforts proceed?
We are so accustomed to having money, technology, and American missionaries that it is extremely difficult for us to see Christianity achieving God's purposes without those things.
The point is not that sending money, medical missions, eye care clinics, or feeding the starving is against God's wishes. In the process of delivering his message, Jesus used a power unknown to us to show a lot of compassion to people in a variety of needs. Early Christians did the same thing (consider Acts 3:1-9; 8:4-8; 14:1-3). The point is that we can become so dependent on our deeds in our efforts that we do not depend on God. There is a vast difference between understanding that God is at work through us and having the attitude that we are taking care of God. We can become so faith dependent on ourselves and our deeds that we cannot imagine faith in Jesus Christ spreading unless things are done our way. If we are not extremely careful, we promote and encourage the view that the survival of faith in Jesus Christ is dependent on what we regard to be a "proper" political perspective. It is quite easy to marry faith in Jesus Christ to a governmental political system.
Be certain to focus the students on what is and what is not the point. The point is not that it is wrong to use money, technology, and mission outreaches in various forms. The point is that the spread of Christianity depends on God's efforts not human enterprises. God is tending His purposes. We are not taking care of God. God will still be at work when we are not even a memory.
Again, the point is not that God cannot use a variety of means, including political, to achieve His purposes. The point is this: God is not dependent on any means, including political, to achieve His purposes. If this world continues, long after the USA has gone the way of all past governments, long after each of us is dead, God will continue to be at work in the lives of people--without the USA and without us. Jesus Christ is Lord whether we are here or not!
God always has worked in a variety of ways in an evil world to achieve His objectives. He does not resort to evil means. However, He can utilize evil efforts and expressions for His purposes. If God had to wait for humanity to be truly righteous before He could act, He would never act because people are never righteous.
Consider the remarkable. To whom did Paul write these words? He wrote them to Christians in Rome. Who was emperor of the Roman empire when Paul wrote? Nero. The early part of Nero's reign [the first 5 years] was a time of peace, and Nero would be viewed by today's standards as a capable leader. Romans is thought by many to have been sent to Christians in Rome in this period.
Make certain your students understand that the Roman government was not pro-Christian when Paul wrote today's text.
Even though in Nero's early rule conditions in the empire were peaceful, by no stretch of imagination was the Roman government pro-Christian! When Claudius [who preceded Nero] expelled the Jews, evidence indicates no distinction existed between Jews, Jewish Christians, or gentile proselytes. The riots concerning "Chrestus" were merely a Jewish argument. Though a clear distinction was made in Nero's reign between Jews and Christians, that was not likely the situation in Nero's early reign. The point: as late as A.D. 41 to 54 in Rome, Christianity was not recognized as a "distinct religious sect" by the Roman government.
The distinction between Judaism as a religion and Christianity as a separate religious emphasis occurred sometime in Nero's reign. It was in the Jews self-interest in receiving government rations that the distinction be made. Those loyal to Judaism to the exclusion of Jesus being God's Messiah [Christ] had no desire to be confused with those who believed Jesus was God's Messiah [Christ].
In circumstances that were distinctly idolatrous [the Roman government recognized many idolatrous religious sects as legitimate] and may not have acknowledged the existence of Christianity, Paul gave Christians in Rome some unusual instructions. (1) Accept and respect the authority of the government. (2) Pay your taxes. (3) Show respect and honor to governmental officials as government directs.
Paul instructed Christians to respect the authority of, pay taxes to, and honor officials of an idolatrous government. The fact that the government was idolatrous was not reason for Christian rebellion in any form.
Why would Christians behave in this manner toward an idolatrous government? God intends for a properly functioning government to oppose, control, and [if possible] repress evil. If evil people refused to be God-governed, government officials would control them. Roman rulers ruled with God's approval. If Christians did evil, they could anticipate the governmental opposition. Christians should regard the idolatrous emperors as serving God's purposes by opposing evil. In those Christians' circumstances, opposition to an idolatrous government must not be a consideration. Because the government favored them? No! They did so simply because it was the godly thing to do.
Stress this fact: the foundation reason for Christians respecting an idolatrous government was that such surrender/respect was the godly way for Christians to act. Paul's primary plea was not based on self-interest but on godliness. Though he acknowledged self-interest, it was not the foundation of his plea.
At the moment of his writing, Paul envisioned the triumph of Christianity through subjection instead of confrontation. This view is consistent with Paul's other statements. Consider as an example Paul's admonition in 1 Timothy 2:1, 2 -- "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." Christianity can exist and will triumph even in conditions that do not favor it. When Christians have God's focus rather than their own agenda, Christians triumph when they represent a compassionate God by showing compassion, not because they are favored.
Stress this fact: Paul was convinced, in those circumstances, the triumph of Christianity was to be found in subjection, not confrontation.
Democracy does not exist everywhere Christians exist. Their faith conviction must not be, "We will spiritually succeed when democracy flourishes here." Their faith conviction must be, "We will spiritually succeed because we represent the God of compassion Who gave us Jesus Christ."
The reality of our world screams that Christian faith depends on representing the God of compassion through being a compassionate people, not on favorable political systems. That is true in the Moslem world, communist countries, some former communist countries, some dictatorships, and some socialistic political systems. Because a system declares there is religious freedom does not mean such freedom actually exists.
For Thought and Discussion
It did not begin as a political movement.
The effectiveness and spread of early Christianity did not depend on money, technology, or supported missionaries as is often the case in the American church of today.
The point is not that God can not work in a variety of means [including political and medical] to achieve His purposes.
The point is that God is not dependent on any specific means [including political and medical] to achieve His purposes.
Paul instructed Christians in Rome to honor the government in circumstances many American Christians would regard as cause for rebellion.
The Roman government may not have even recognized Christianity as a religion within itself. It certainly acknowledged many idolatrous religions. In nothing did that government favor Christians. In many ways it did favor certain idolatrous religions.
Accept and respect government authority. Pay your taxes. Show respect and honor to government officials.
The primary reason: it was the godly thing to do.
Paul envisioned Christianity triumphing through subjection rather than confrontation.
God's focus on compassion will triumph. Acknowledge it may take time and it may require life and blood just as it did in the first century. Acknowledge that the Roman government has been history only for centuries. Yet, Christianity still exists and thrives.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 6