Counsel #22 — Government’s Role

Picture: Counsel #22 — Government’s RoleCCW 130.1

Politicians who promise a national return to God misunderstand the path to a better world. Government's role is to protect the vulnerable, not manage faith.^{[192]https://principlebasedpolitics.org/what-the-bible-says-about-protecting-the-vulnerable/} While Christians will champion just laws, they recognize religious mandates aren't the answer.^{[193]https://sojo.net/articles/caring-poor-governments-biblical-role} Christ's reign will be established not through legislation, but through the Holy Spirit's work transforming hearts and lives.CCW 130.2

The gospels^{[194]Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John} portray Jesus Christ as a model for sharing beliefs. He emphasized respect and individual choice, demonstrating how to spread faith through teaching truth, acts of compassion and inclusion, and the persuasion of the Holy Spirit rather than coercion.CCW 130.3

“How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy, free them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalms 82:2-4 NKJVCCW 130.4

“To protect liberty of conscience is the duty of the state, and this is the limit of its authority in matters of religion. Every secular government that attempts to regulate or enforce religious observances by civil authority is sacrificing the very principle for which the evangelical Christian so nobly struggled.” Ellen White in The Great Controversy, p. 201CCW 130.5

Reflect: Can a government promote morality without promoting a specific religion or using coercion? How?CCW 130.6