If we, as Christians, take the Bible as the foundation for all our morals and decisions, we can see that God did not originally design human government for His people — it arose only as a consequence of men’s fall and moral corruption.
In the beginning, God Himself was our supreme Governor. He granted freedom, authority, and responsibility — but also set clear moral limits: “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat” (Genesis 2:17). This was divine governance based on relationship and obedience, not coercion.
After the fall, mankind began to establish its own systems of rule apart from God. We see this in Nimrod, the first mighty ruler on earth, and in the Tower of Babel (Genesis 10–11), where humanity united under human ambition rather than divine authority.
Then comes Abraham, through whom God began a covenant with a distinct people — “to be God to you and to your descendants after you” (Genesis 17:7). From that moment, God set apart a nation that would live under His rule within a fallen world — His peculiar people, a light among the nations (Deuteronomy 7:6, Exodus 19:5–6).
When God raised up Moses, this divine order became even clearer. Israel was redeemed out of Egypt not to form another political kingdom, but to live under God’s direct rule.
At Mount Sinai, the Lord declared:
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples… and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
— Exodus 19:5–6
Through Moses, God gave His people laws, governance, and justice — not as human legislation but as divine instruction meant to reflect His character. Their “constitution” was the covenant itself, and God’s presence dwelled among them as their true King (Deuteronomy 33:5). Israel was not to imitate the nations around them; they were to reveal God’s righteousness through obedience and justice.
Yet over time, Israel — like many Christians today — desired to be “like all the other nations” (1 Samuel 8:5). They asked for a human king instead of trusting God as their King. The Lord granted their request but warned through Samuel that human rulers would oppress, tax, and enslave (1 Samuel 8:10–18). This was not God’s ideal but His concession — and judgement — to a rebellious heart.
Thus, earthly government exists primarily as a restraint for the ungodly, not as the ultimate hope of the believers. As Paul later writes:
“For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad… he is God’s servant for your good… an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”
— Romans 13:3–4
Meanwhile, the Church — the Body and Bride of Christ — exists for a higher purpose: to reveal God’s Kingdom on earth through the Gospel. Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). The Church is that Kingdom’s living witness, the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–14), showing the world what divine rule looks like through faith, righteousness, and love.
Therefore, the true separation of Church and State is not merely political — it is spiritual.
- Government belongs to the sphere of the fallen world, preserving order among sinners.
- The Church belongs to the sphere of redemption, proclaiming the Gospel and preparing the Bride for the return of Christ.
Our task is not to become the government, but to speak prophetically to it, calling nations and leaders to repentance and righteousness — just as John the Baptist spoke truth to Herod and as prophets spoke to kings. We live as citizens of heaven among earthly kingdoms, representing the interests of our true King.
“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Philippians 3:20
So, while the world struggles to govern itself through corrupt systems, we, the Church, remain the remnant — God’s peculiar people, called to proclaim His truth, demonstrate His love, and await His Kingdom.
Our primary purpose is not political reform but spiritual renewal — to preach the Gospel until Christ returns to reign as the rightful King over all nations (Revelation 11:15).
