Christ’s Ambassadors In Governance
by Ptr Poppo Cosalan
Kubernau – Greek work of Government/Governance. Boat’s rudder.
Government, therefore, is to steer society – to a better place, to a place we should go.
God did not initially approve of the government that Israel wanted. At one time the people of Israel were not led by Prime Ministers, or even kings. They were led by God. Moses took the helm, but it was still God who directed the nation through the wilderness, with a pillar of fire by night, and a pillar of clouds by day.
God was leading through Moses, and then through Judges, and also through prophets. Samuel the prophet heard of the complaints of the nation: Israel wanted a king, as the neighboring countries had their own – A rejection of God’s rule. They also threw in that Samuel was old, and his sons were corrupt.
God advised Samuel to listen to them. But God also, through Samuel, warned the Israelites that the request for a King was a rejection of God’s rule (God’s Kingship and God’s being the first One to trust); It was a request with its own consequences, just like idolatry had its consequences – how is this idolatry? Israel’s desire for a king ‘just like their neighbors’ is envy and an unhealthy desire for what their neighbors had.
God also knew that the human kings would be oppressive. As it is now, it has been in the past – power corrupts. And, we, as humans, are unable to truly handle power. We would grow corrupt, sooner or later… and all corruption eventually leads to death.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinnedRomans 5:12
It was Edmund Burke who apparently inspired Ptr Poppo to get into politics. A couple of lines: ‘Among a people generally corrupt, liberty can no longer exist‘
‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing‘
But who are the good people? What should good people do?
and (Christ) died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh (a worldly point of view).
What makes us different, or rather, what makes a person good is Jesus Christ, who gives us a Spirit-led point of view.
Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Each of us has been given the ministry of reconciliation. So we have a Spirit-led point of view, and the ministry of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
God has an appeal, and He is sending us to say: We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.2 Corinthians 5:15-21
We are Ambassadors for Christ. We are the righteousness of God. We have a Spirit-led point of view, and we have a ministry of reconciliation. We have a message to share, and an appeal to make: We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
What are good people to do?
- Proclaim: We proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us tell the world of Christ.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.Proverbs 14:34
We are righteous through Christ, and this righteousness exalts our nation. We would say people did great things over the centuries, but the bottom line is that we are righteous only through Christ.
Just as sin is a reproach, so corruption is also a reproach to any people.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.John 10:10
Jesus Christ is the answer to corruption.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”Acts 1:8
We are ambassadors. We are witnesses. We are not prosecutors. Witnesses share what they saw, heard, and experienced. All we do is to share and testify – not our role to condemn – to our city (Jerusalem), to our province (Judea/Samaria), and to the rest of the World.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.John 3:17
We were sent to be witnesses. Reiterated. We proclaim.
- Pray
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Psalms 97:1-2
Again, what is righteousness? It is our moral uprightness before God. If God is pleased with us, we are righteous.
Justice is fairness to those who are weak – the orphans, the poor, the single parents, the out of school youth, the marginaliized. When we take care of them, that is justice.
We say that we pray for righteousness and justice, and we should. We ought to pray for those who govern over us to come to righteousness, through the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for justice to be done in our nation.
We ought to be ambassadors of reconciliation, not agents of division. Again, we have a Spirit-led point of view. This shouldn’t be so hard as we think.
Remembering our discussion with Pastor John: Christ is our common ground.
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Romans 13:1
We ought also to pray for those in authority. These verses underline this responsibility.
17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him. Mark 12:17
Give honor to those in authority, and give honor to God.
- Participate in the Ministry of Reconciliation
As ambassadors of Christ, be involved in governance. You don’t have to be in government. Everyone is in governance. Governance involves various stakeholders: Government, the Private Sector, and Civil Society. These three collaborate to achieve common goals.
Governance is ensuring that the right decisions are made. We steer.
Also mentioning the 7 mountains of influence: Government, Economy, Family, Education, Media, Arts, Religion.
How do we advocate for social change?
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20
Governance needs the Lord Jesus Christ.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.Isaiah 9:6-7
Amen and Halleluyah.
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