Christians and government as restraining influences in a darkening world

The whole idea of “the movement” is of socialist origin. It’s tied into the notion that history is moving toward some utopian humanistic ideal, even if it is doing so in fits and starts.

This isn’t what the Bible teaches. In fact, history is moving toward a day in which godless humanistic notions will lead the whole world to the very brink of utter annihilation. Only the Second Coming of Christ will prevent complete destruction.

In the meantime, God has left Christians, filled with the Holy Spirit, in the world as a restraining influence, as the salt and the light, to act as a preventative against corruption, and to enlighten the darkness.

He also long ago instituted human government – as frail and untrustworthy as it is – as a restraining influence, to bear the sword and punish evildoers.

So, in other words, the only movement we should be pushing is the movement of sinners back to God, back to the Truth, and back to moral principles of right, in terms of whatever power we might possess to affect the course of government.

And then, once folks have moved back to God and the principles of righteousness and decent self-government, they need to stop moving, and stand fast, as the body of Christ, and as a body of good citizens, come what may, confident that God is the Sovereign Ruler of All Things, and that our ultimate victory over the forces of darkness and evil is absolutely sure.

But if we refuse?

Well, the Lord talked about that too….

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

– Matthew 5:13