Princes Are Not Redeemers — Politics in Perspective

Josh Buice

Monday’s first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton proved to be the most watched presidential debate in history.  According to the statistics, (Nielsen), the debate averaged a total of 84 million viewers across 13 of the TV channels that carried it live.  In addition, many millions also watched the debate via live streams on the web. [1]

Be sure of this one thing, there is good money in politics.  Don’t be fooled, someone is making lots of money on the latest edition of US presidential politics.  Beyond the money is the sad reality that far too many people are placing their trust in elected princes who have no ability to save them.  Perhaps this faulty trust is based on the reality that most people view their financial struggles or other social concerns as more important than the condition of their soul.

Trust not in Politics and Politicians

It’s a sad reality, but we must expect disappointment from politicians.  The world we live in is crooked, depraved, and set against God.  In short, it’s filled with sin, vile people with evil hearts, and oppression.  When people are oppressed, they quickly fall prey to evil dictators, evil rulers, and evil kings who promise them security under oppression.

Even in a free nation, such as America, we still find ourselves being promised the world through politics.  Crooked politicians (and yes, most of them are crooked) continue to compete for votes, and often they lie, cheat, and steal their way to the top.  Beware of putting your trust in politicians.  The answer for America, and our world, is not found in politics, it’s something far greater.  Keith Mathison writes, “Because our citizenship is in heaven, our hopes do not ride on earthly election results. We do not hope in candidates with ‘Messiah complexes.'” [2]

Trust not in Social Systems

If anyone takes a peek at all of the things the United States government has its hands in, it would boggle your mind.  Just a take a look at the US Postal Service, is it a success?  What about public housing, is it in a perpetual state of declined health?  What about Social Security?  What about the education system, is there any room for improvement there?

The fact remains, everything the US government oversees eventually declines.  That’s why there has been so much controversy surrounding Obama Care.  While the masses of non-Christians may view the political social system as the answer to their problems, we must remember, the princes who setup such systems were flawed and imperfect people.  We can’t put our hope in such systems.

Trust not in Political Policies

Most politicians run their campaign upon a certain set of ideologies and policies that they promise to implement upon election.  As with social systems, we can’t look to these policies as our hope in this fallen sinful world.  We need something far greater than a strong economy, a robust military, and free college.

It doesn’t matter if Donald Trump promises to “make America great again,” he will likely fail in many of his promises.  The same thing can be said of Hillary Clinton’s attempt to make us “stronger together.”  All politicians and their policies fail at some level, so the fairy tale we’re all being promised is unlikely to happen either way.  We must learn to not trust in such people for true hope and redemption!  The same prince who protects Christians with one policy today may persecute Christians with another policy tomorrow.  Beware of trusting in politicians and their policies.

Trust in the Lord

The Psalmist writes the following, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish” (Ps. 146:3-4).  Simply put, princes are not redeemers.  Princes can’t save.  It must be known that princes have their own purposes in life and culture, but they are not intended to serve as saviors.

When we view the landscape of our nation and see the sinful effects of a secular culture, we must turn to the Lord who “executes justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets prisoners free, opens the eyes of the blind, lifts up those who are bowed down, loves the righteous, watches over the sojourners, upholds the widow and fatherless, and brings the way of the wicked to ruin” (Ps. 146:7-10).

Every prince occupies a temporary office, a temporary seat, a temporary throne.  The government was instituted by the Lord, and is for our good (Rom 13:1-7). However, even in a system instituted by God, we expect imperfection because of the reality that all leaders are imperfect people.  We see that in the court room with judges, in nations of the world with their leaders, and in small towns with local politicians.  There is a leader who rules from Heaven’s throne and His government will never fail (Is. 9:6; PS. 24).  We must trust in Jesus Christ and serve Him through the local church.  The plan for true hope is found in Christ, and genuine fulfillment in this life will be played out through the local church.

Don’t put your faith in Washington D.C., but don’t abandon it either.  Should we view political issues as relevant to us now and into the foreseeable future?  Absolutely.  However, we shouldn’t turn to the princes of politics for the solutions that only a true Redeemer can provide.

Ultimately Christians must engage in the political world in the following ways:

  • Prayer: Pray for politicians you like and those you dislike (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
  • Evangelism: Pointing people to hope in the Redeemer rather than princes (John 3).
  • Vote: Engage in the privileges afforded to free citizens.

  1. Debate breaks record as most-watched in U.S. history
  2. Keith Mathison, “Citizens of Heaven
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Author Princes Are Not Redeemers — Politics in Perspective

Josh Buice

Pastor Pray's Mill Baptist Church

Josh Buice is the founder and president of G3 Ministries and serves as the pastor of Pray's Mill Baptist Church on the westside of Atlanta. He is married to Kari and they have four children, Karis, John Mark, Kalli, and Judson. Additionally, he serves as Assistant Professor of Preaching at Grace Bible Theological Seminary. He enjoys theology, preaching, church history, and has a firm commitment to the local church. He also enjoys many sports and the outdoors, including long distance running and high country hunting. He has been writing on Delivered by Grace since he was in seminary and it has expanded with a large readership through the years.