What hope is left if we can’t depend on proper oversight of the people?

on Feb 29, 2024

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I’ve been told that government was ordained by God but it seems that government and kingdoms have both failed. I thought America had it figured out, but our governing bodies are imploding as well. There’s chaos everywhere. What hope is left if we can’t depend on proper oversight of the people? – F.G.

A: The government in God’s kingdom is unique. It is not a democracy where the people govern, but a “Christocracy” where Christ is the supreme Authority. In a government of unredeemed people, democracy is the only fair and equitable system. But no democracy can ever be better than the people who make it up. When people are selfishly motivated, the government will be inequitable. When people are dishonest, the government will be the same. When everyone wants his or her own way, someone is going to get hurt.

But in God’s kingdom, Christ is King. He is compassionate, fair, merciful, and just. When He is sovereign in people’s hearts, anguish turns to peace, hatred is transformed into love, and misunderstanding turns to understanding.

God’s kingdom is also lasting. The history of man has been a continuous series of half successes and total failures. Prosperity exists for a time, only to be followed by war and depression. Civilizations have come and gone, and people still battle with the same problems.

One day, the kingdom of God will abide forever. The fluctuations of time, the swinging of the pendulum from war to peace, from starvation to plenty, from chaos to order, will end forever. The Bible says, “And of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33, NKJV).

For believers in Jesus Christ, God not only gives us a new relationship with Him but He makes us citizens of His kingdom and gives us a new family — the family of God.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)