On Saturday, December 7th, 2024, Ghana heads to the polls to elect the next President and Members of Parliament to represent its 216 constituencies. 12 candidates are vying for the Presidency and about 800 for Parliament. Who will you vote for? What factors will guide your choice?

I want to offer some guiding principles for believers on how to approach politics and voting. This article will not endorse specific candidates or policies, but it seeks to frame national politics under God’s sovereignty and provide a biblical perspective. Regardless of the outcome, believers can confidently affirm that God is in control, and His will shall prevail. “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases” (Psalm 115:3). No candidate will ascend to leadership outside of God’s sovereign will.

This article will reflect on four themes: i) The Sovereignty of God in Government, ii) The Responsibility of Government, iii) The Responsibility of Citizens, and iv) The Redemptive Implication of Government.

I) The Sovereignty of God in Government

God’s sovereignty means His absolute control over all creation, including human governments. Romans 13:1 reminds us that all authority comes from God, and He ordains governing bodies. This underscores two truths:

1. The source of the government’s authority is God
2. Government is God-ordained

Whoever emerges victorious in these elections derives their authority from God. God is not indifferent to politics; rather, governance is one of the means by which God administers His purposes on earth. The historical Reformed confessions of the Christian faith affirm this truth. The London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) states:

“God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates to be under Him, over the people, for His own glory and the public good; and to this end has armed them with the power of the sword for defense and encouragement of those who do good and for the punishment of evildoers.” (24.1)

This theological foundation is consistent with Scripture (Daniel 2:21; 1 Peter 2:13-17). Ultimately, Jesus Christ—the risen Lord—rules over all nations. “He upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is deeply concerned with the affairs of nations. Scripture emphasises His authority and involvement in global matters. Jesus is actively involved in and concerned about the events and moral directions of nations (see Matthew 28:18-19; 25:32). As followers of Christ, we cannot afford to be indifferent to the affairs of our nations.

II) The Responsibility of Government

Imagine a society without laws and regulations, where everyone acts solely according to their own desires. Picture drivers navigating roads with no regard for direction or rules simply because they are in a rush. The resulting chaos would be unimaginable, leading to disorder, conflict, and harm. God has ordained human government precisely to prevent such anarchy and maintain order. Governments exist to promote peace, ensure stability, and uphold justice, providing the framework necessary for a functional and harmonious society.

The primary role of government is to maintain peace and order within society. As Romans 13:3 states, “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.” How does government fulfil this responsibility? A key way is through the restraint of evil.

Restraint of Evil

Governments exist because humanity, by nature, is sinful. Without any restraint, human selfishness and wickedness would create an unlivable society. One of the primary functions of government is to deter evil by enforcing laws and maintaining order. As Romans 13:3 suggests, rulers serve as a “terror to bad conduct.” In other words, the government instils a healthy fear of consequences in evildoers, thereby restraining their actions. This role is essential to ensuring societal stability and preventing chaos.

The Threefold Use of God’s Law

In Reformed Theology, the law of God is understood to serve three purposes. These are commonly referred to as the threefold use of the law, as articulated by John Calvin. Each of these uses has implications for government and its role in society:

 a) The Law as a Mirror
The first purpose of the law is to reflect God’s holiness and humanity’s weakness. It reveals God’s perfect standards and exposes our inability to meet them, driving us to Jesus Christ for grace and salvation. The law reminds us that none of us, by our own merit, can stand justified before God. It is only through faith in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law, that we can be saved.

 b) The Law as a Restraint
The second use of the law is to restrain evil, which finds expression in secular laws and governance. Calvin writes, “By means of its fearful denunciations and the consequent dread of punishment, [the law serves] to curb those who, unless forced, have no regard for rectitude and justice” (Institutes of the Christian Religion7.10). This highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: people often comply with the law not out of a desire for righteousness but out of fear of punishment. Government functions within this framework by enforcing laws to curb wrongdoing and promote good behaviour.

 c) The Law as a Guide for Believers
The third use of the law is to instruct believers in how to live lives that please God. For Christians, the law provides a roadmap for obedience and godly living, demonstrating how to glorify God in daily life.

Through its authority to make and enforce laws, the government reflects the second use of the law, restraining evil and deterring misconduct. Without this function, society would quickly descend into disorder. However, it is essential to remember that while government can restrain outward evil, it cannot transform hearts—this is the work of the gospel through Jesus Christ.

 Punish Evil

Governments are not only tasked with restraining evil through laws but are also responsible for punishing wrongdoing when laws are broken. Romans 13:4 states that the government does not bear the sword in vain, symbolising its God-given authority to administer justice. The sword signifies the power to enforce laws, including the use of punitive measures when necessary. This authority is a delegated responsibility from God to uphold justice and maintain order.

When a government fails to punish evil, the consequences are dire—chaos and lawlessness prevail. By punishing wrongdoers, governments serve as agents of God’s justice, deterring others from following a path of wrongdoing and ensuring the stability of society.

Reward Good

Romans 13:3 also highlights another key responsibility of government: rewarding good behaviour. “Do what is good, and you will receive his approval.” Governments are meant to commend and support law-abiding people who contribute positively to society.

Governments should ensure an environment where individuals who obey the laws and live uprightly can live confidently and freely without fear of persecution or punishment. By recognising and protecting good conduct, governments foster a culture of peace and mutual respect.

However, for those who engage in evil, the judgment of the law is inevitable. This dual role—punishing evil and rewarding good—forms the foundation of a just and functional society, reflecting God’s design for human governance.

III) The Responsibility of Citizens

Having examined the responsibilities of government, we now turn to our duties as citizens. Romans 13:1 instructs, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” This call to subjection emphasises obedience to lawful authority. Verse 5 reiterates this point: “Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” As citizens, we are called to live in obedience to the laws of the land. For Christians, this is both a legal and spiritual obligation.

Obedience to Authority

A lawful citizen respects the laws established by governing authorities, as this reflects the delegated authority granted by God. Romans 13:6-7 provides practical examples of this obedience, including paying taxes. While many of us may not have the option to evade taxes due to automatic deductions, the temptation might exist if given the chance. Often, people justify this by pointing to poor infrastructure, inadequate services, or bad governance. However, God’s command to obey—including the payment of taxes—is not contingent upon the quality of governance but upon the government’s authority.

Obedience also extends to fostering peace and order during critical events like elections. As citizens, we have a duty to act responsibly and ensure the process is conducted peacefully. This means voting, refraining from actions that incite unrest, and trusting in the democratic process.

Limits to Governmental Authority

It is essential to remember that government’s authority is not absolute; it is delegated by God. When a government’s directives conflict with God’s commands, Christians are called to obey God rather than human authorities. Several biblical examples illustrate this principle:

• Daniel refused to stop praying, even when commanded to do so by law (Daniel 6:10).
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defied the king’s order to worship an idol (Daniel 3:18).
• Peter and John boldly declared, “We must obey God rather than men,” when instructed to stop preaching about Jesus (Acts 5:29).

These examples underscore the importance of discerning when it is appropriate to resist governmental authority. Such resistance must be grounded in faithfulness to God’s law rather than personal or political motivations. 

IV) The Redemptive Implication of Government

In the larger framework of God’s sovereignty, governments serve as a temporal expression of justice on earth. While their role is limited, they reflect God’s divine purpose to maintain order and punish wrongdoing until the final judgment. Romans 13:4-5 describes government as “a servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” In this way, government functions as God’s earthly instrument of justice, expressing His wrath against sin and serving as a deterrent to evil.

However, the justice administered by human governments is imperfect and temporary. It points us to a future, ultimate government under God’s rule, when He will judge all humanity. At the last judgment, God will avenge sin and pour out His righteous wrath on those who have rejected His grace. Every individual will stand before the judgment seat of God, and their eternal destiny will hinge on their response to Jesus Christ, God’s provision for atonement (John 3:16).

Politics vs. Eternal Peace

As we approach the elections, our collective desires for peace, justice, and prosperity are evident. Yet, it is crucial to recognise that the peace and order human governments offer, while valuable, are limited and temporary. True and lasting peace can only be found in Christ. Through His redemptive work on the cross, Christ reconciled humanity to God, providing ultimate peace for those who believe. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

The gospel offers a peace that surpasses all human efforts at governance—a peace rooted in the assurance that in Christ, God’s wrath is satisfied. For believers, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). As we participate in civic responsibilities, we should do so with the understanding that the hope of the world is not in politics but in the redemptive work of Jesus.

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