[This is part 3 in a series on allegiance to God alone. See part one, two, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine]

Leaving Egypt Ministries, Obadiah D. Morris

Those who support earthly political kingdoms are not acting on the Lord’s teachings. Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world. People who wave flags, vote for rulers, praise the military, and extol the virtues of worldly states have not learned this from God. Rather, they have fallen into their own idolatries or have been misled by secular philosophers and false pastors who have convinced them that being a devoted statist is acceptable to God.

Pledging allegiance to God alone

As we covered in the first segments of this series, a person cannot divide their allegiance between God and the kingdoms of this world. We are called to remain separate from such earthly powers and do things differently from them. Pledging allegiance to flags and political systems, the modern equivalent of bowing to man-made deities, is something we must refrain from. As God always makes clear, 

“You are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them” (Joshua 23:7). 

Those who support the kingdoms of men are no different from the ungodly fools in scripture who prostituted themselves to other kingdoms and their false gods (Exodus 34:15). They are the people who turned to men as their gods rather than to stay in the Lord, as we are always told to do.

“Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations” (Deuteronomy 29:18). 

The “gods” of this world—the presidents, supreme court gods, soldiers, police—are false gods. They are all falsely venerated by men as heroes and saviors. Those who follow the one true God must reject the idea of multiple deities or divided loyalties. As the Bible states, “The LORD he is God; there is none else beside him” (Deuteronomy 4:35). They must reject the idea that they can have “dual citizenship” — that they can consider themselves a part of Christ’s Kingdom while simultaneously supporting the kingdoms of this world. 

Turning down the satanic temptation of statism

Many who profess to be Christian today actively participate in the political institutions of the world and find no problem with doing so. They believe that it is okay, as a professing servant of the Lord and His kingdom, to vote for human rulers, pledge allegiance to flags, sing national anthems, or join the military or police. Once again, they are being guided by their own idolatry rather than seeking to do as the Lord does and commands. Their statism is at odds with Jesus’ own rejection of the satanic offer to control earthly kingdoms (Luke 4:4). While Jesus resisted such temptations, many self-proclaimed Christians today eagerly embrace involvement in the very “kingdoms of this world” that Christ Himself spurned. This raises the question of how one can reconcile such worldly allegiances with the teachings and example of Christ.

Those driven by worldly fears are tempted to participate in political systems, deluding themselves that they can use government as a weapon against their enemies. They claim we need a government because everyone else has one — even though Jesus Christ himself instructs us to act differently than the worldly authorities who claim to protect their people.

Not our kingdom

Jesus made it clear that his kingdom is not of this world, rebuking the earthly kingdoms that many people wrongly believe they can serve alongside God. The kingdoms of this world belong to pagan-statists, not Christians, who should have no part in them. Statists are ungodly people, and their corrupt ideas and evils are not to be embraced by believers. Their ideas and ours—the difference between worshiping the kingdoms of men and seeking the kingdom of God—are incompatible visions for our work on earth.

We cannot coexist and attempt to build kingdom-communities with men who still seek the things of this world, ie., the state systems that have tempted men into taking part in evil. They have not repented of their allegiance to man’s kingdoms. We are told, instead, 

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols?” (“2 Corinthians 6:14-17). 

Men who engage in the political process by voting, supporting politicians, and embracing statist ideologies are abandoning their faith in God. Participating in the evil and flawed systems of human government is not in line with God’s calling. Those who immerse themselves in worldly political structures have been influenced by secular ideologies, not the counsel of the Lord telling us to turn away from these things. God instructs us to refrain from such inherently corrupt systems.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever” (1 John 2:15-17).